Updated September 30, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
On this day in 1938, the Munich Agreement, (also known as the Treaty of Munich) was signed by Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Édouard Daladier and Neville Chamberlain.
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What was the Treaty of Munich?
The Treaty of Munich, also known as the Munich Agreement, was an agreement signed on September 30, 1938, between Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy. It aimed to resolve the crisis over the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant ethnic German population. The agreement allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland, but it was stipulated that German forces would only occupy the areas with predominantly German-speaking populations. Czechoslovakia, excluded from the negotiations, was compelled to cede this territory without its consent.
Why did Britain and France agree to the Munich Agreement?
Britain and France, scarred by the trauma of World War I, were reluctant to enter another conflict. They believed that by appeasing Hitler and granting him the Sudetenland, they could prevent further aggression and maintain peace. This policy of appeasement, however, proved ineffective in deterring Hitler's ambitions.
How did the Munich Agreement contribute to World War II?
The Munich Agreement was a significant factor that emboldened Hitler and signaled to him that his territorial ambitions could be pursued without serious consequences. This contributed to the erosion of stability in Europe and created an environment conducive to further aggression, eventually leading to the outbreak of World War II in 1939.