Winston Churchill Essay, Research Paper

Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill were contemporaries of Hitler, and

each had his own opinion about appeasing him. They completely disagreed about what

should have been done.

In Neville Chamberlain?s speech In Defense Of Appeasement he supports

?peace? at all costs for Europe, regardless of any other factors. He believed that the

Czech Government should agree to give Germany the territory that it wanted, and in

time, the population concerned would be treated fairly under their rule. Chamberlain

said that no matter how much Britain wanted to help Czechoslavakia in their time of

need, they could not involve the entire British Empire in war because of one small

nation. He was ?a man of peace?(Perry 373) and did not think that Germany, or any

other nation was planning to dominate the world by force. If this was the case, it would

have to be very clear that the nation had ill intentions, and it was the great issues that

were at stake, only then would prompt action be taken, in war if necessary. Calmly

waiting to see what events occurred next was Chamberlain?s answer to the people?s

questions. He states: ?As long as war has not begun, there is always hope that it may be

prevented, and you know that I am going to work for peace to the very last moment

(373).

Chamberlain wanted the whole of Europe to remain safe and peaceful. If this

meant that Czechoslavakia must sacrifice its freedom and homeland, according to him, it

was worth it in order to maintain peace. He received letters from people saying that they

saw no reason to fight. ?That is my answer to those who say that we should have told

Germany weeks ago that, if her army crossed the border to Czechoslavakia, we should be

at war with her?(373). Because Britain had no legal obligations to Czechoslavakia, he

believed that the people of his nation would have given no support of the war. He was

thoroughly convinced that there was nothing that could keep the Sudetenland within the

Czechoslavakian State, and urged them to submit to German powers. The government

accepted the advice of the French and British Governments.

Chamberlain did not view this as betrayal, but rather, ?what we did was to save

her from annihilation and give her a chance of new life as a new state (373). This

involved the loss of territory and strength, but a chance at enjoying the benefits of a

national existence which was neutral and secure in his mind. Neville Chamberlain,

therefore thought that ?the government deserve the approval of this House (Britain?s

House of Commons) for their conduct of affairs in this recent crisis which has saved

Czechoslavakia from destruction and Europe from Armageddon?(373).

Obviously, Chamberlain believed that Czechoslavakia?s future under German rule

was bright, and would work out fine. By remaining passive he did not have to take any

risks. He believed that if Britain was to interfere with Czechoslavakia?s conflict it would

mean great insecurity and danger for all of Great Britain and Europe.

Winston Churchill?s speech, A Disaster Of The First Magnitude was a response

attacking the Munich agreement and British policy toward Germany. Churchill believed

Czechoslavakia would have been able to make better terms than they go without Western

Powers interfering. He states: ?I have always held the view that the maintenance of

peace depends upon the aggressor, coupled with a sincere effort to redress grievances

(374). This demonstrates how Churchill believed in taking action to resist dictatorship,

as Chamberlain was passive. France, Great Britain, and Russia, if they would have

worked together, could have influenced many of the smaller states of Europe, and

Poland. This could have given power and strength to the forces in Germany who had

influence in military and government affairs, and did not want to annex the Sudetenland.

Many Germans shared in an intense desire for peace. Britain should have declared

immediately that she, with others would join to defend Czechoslavakia against their

aggression, which the government refused to do. ?Silent, mournful, abandoned, broken,

Czechoslavakia recedes into the darkness(374). The nation suffered in every way

possible because of its affiliation with the Western democracies and the League of

Nations. Czechoslavakia was politically damaged, and was in total confusion

economically and financially. There was major movement of the population. Sudeten

miners had to flee from their homes in order to try and find work, which was scarce.

According to Churchill it would have been impossible for the Czechoslavakian

State to remain an independent system, and would eventually be absorbed into the Nazi

regime, joining out of either despair or revenge. Churchill believed that action should

have been taken for the previous five years. That unavailing good intention, very little

resistance to German power, and ineffective use of defenses all contributed to the final

result of Czechoslavakia being annexed. And in those five years Great Britain and

France had been reduced from a position of safety, security, and power to a frightened,

passive nation under the domination of Nazi Germany.

All of the opportunities that Europe had of seizing Nazi power were disregarded.

Alliances could have been formed, and resources used in order to suppress Germany.

?They neither prevented Germany from rearming, nor did they rearm ourselves in time?

(375). Because these issues were neglected, Europe was left ?without adequate national

defense or effective international security?(375) at a very crucial point in time. All of the

countries of Central and Eastern Europe would now just settle for the best terms possible

with the victorious Nazi power. Central Europe?s alliances fell apart, and there was

really no way of reconstitution because of Germany?s immense power. By allowing

Germany to annex Czechoslavakia, some people believed that they were only

surrendering the interests of that one small country. Churchill looked at the big picture

and saw the relationship between Czechoslavakia and all of Europe. He states: ?we have

deeply compromised, and perhaps fatally endangered the safety and even the

independence of Great Britain and France…(T)here can never be friendship between the

British democracy and the Nazi Power?(376). Churchill believed that people should

know the truth about the extreme neglect and shortage of defenses. That they have been

defeated without resistance or a war. The entire balance of Europe entered a state of

disorder. Churchill tells the people of his nation ?do not suppose that this is the end.

This is only the beginning of the reckoning…unless by a supreme recovery of moral

health and moral health and martial vigor, we arise again and take our stand for freedom

as in olden time (376). Churchill believed that the annexation of Czechoslavakia by

Germany was just the beginning of what was going to happen to the rest of Europe as a

whole.

Chamberlain and Churchill?s opinions conflicted greatly. Each had very

supportive reasons for their beliefs, and did what they felt necessary at this very

confusing and threatening point in time.