Main content

Appeasement

Chamberlain's capitulation to Hitler led to his resignation, but why did appeasement become such a dirty word when negotiation and accommodation are such valuable diplomatic tools?

The conventional view of Neville Chamberlain's dealings with Hitler at the 1938 Munich Conference paints him as weak and gullible - an appeaser. But why did appeasement become such a dirty word when negotiation and accommodation are such valuable diplomatic tools? Rana Mitter is joined by historian Tim Bouverie, screenwriter Alex von Tunzelmann and journalist Juliet Samuel to reassess Chamberlain's reputation and to examine how the long shadow of Munich still affects the actions of politicians in the 21st century.

Tim Bouverie is the author of Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War.

Alex von Tunzelmann wrote the screenplay for Jonathan Teplitzky's 2017 film Churchill.

Juliet Samuel is a columnist who covers politics, economics, foreign policy and technology for The Telegraph.

There's a new film adaptation of Robert Harris's best-selling novel Munich. Munich: The Edge of War is on selected release in cinemas from 7th January and available on Netflix from 21st January.

Producer: Torquil MacLeod

You can find a playlist of programmes exploring War and Conflict on the Free Thinking website /programmes/p06kgbyb

Image: Neville Chamberlain at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ in 1937

Available now

44 minutes

Last on

Thu 6 Jan 2022 22:00

Broadcast

  • Thu 6 Jan 2022 22:00

Featured in...

The Arts & Ideas Podcast

The Arts & Ideas Podcast

You can download all the past episodes of Radio 3's Free Thinking

Discussions and talks from the Free Thinking Festival 2019

Discussions and talks from the Free Thinking Festival 2019

Angry politics, what we can’t say, being diplomatic, weeping, emotion in music, film & TV

Click to listen to discussions, talks and music as the Free Thinking Festival 2019 Gets Emotional

Click to listen to discussions, talks and music as the Free Thinking Festival 2019 Gets Emotional

Angry politics, what we can’t say, being diplomatic, weeping, emotion in music, film & TV

CLICK to LISTEN & SEE programmes from the Free Thinking Festival 2018: The One & the Many

CLICK to LISTEN & SEE programmes from the Free Thinking Festival 2018: The One & the Many

We examine the fast-changing relationship between the individual & the crowd

CLICK to LISTEN & SEE all programmes, images, clips & features from 2017's festival

Free Thinking Festival 2017: The Speed of Life