Here are some of the key events and decisions that led up to World War II:
* In the 1930s, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power in Germany. Hitler was determined to expand Germany's territory and restore its former glory.
* In 1938, Germany annexed Austria and Czechoslovakia. The Western Allies did not take any action to stop Hitler, fearing that it would lead to war.
* In 1939, Germany invaded Poland. This was the final straw for the Western Allies, and they declared war on Germany. World War II had begun.
The policy of appeasement was based on several assumptions:
* That Hitler could be satisfied with limited territorial gains.
* That Hitler was not interested in starting a war.
* That war could be avoided if the Western Allies made concessions to Hitler.
These assumptions were all proven to be false. Hitler was not satisfied with limited territorial gains, he was determined to conquer all of Europe. He was also willing to start a war if necessary. And the Western Allies' concessions only emboldened Hitler and made him more aggressive.
The consequences of appeasement were disastrous. It allowed Hitler to build up his military strength unchecked, and it gave him the confidence to launch a world war. World War II resulted in the deaths of millions of people and the destruction of countless cities.
Lessons learned from appeasement:
* It is important to stand up to aggressors, even if it means risking war.
* Concessions to aggressors will only embolden them and make them more dangerous.
* Appeasement is a failed policy that can lead to devastating consequences.