Free Thinking

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Free Thinking: Appeasement

Appeasement

BBC Radio 4 - Free Thinking, Appeasement

How does Neville Chamberlain's capitulation to Hitler in 1938 affect politics in 2022?

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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06kgbyb

Image: Neville Chamberlain at the BBC in 1937

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