Encouraged German Aggression:
- Hitler’s success with the Rhineland, Austria, and Czechoslovakia under appeasement increased his confidence that the Western democracies were weak and unlikely to actively oppose his expansionist goals.
Munich Agreement:
- Allowed Hitler to annex the Sudetenland without a shot being fired, violating the principles of collective security established by the League of Nations.
Loss of Confidence in International Agreements:
- Weakened the credibility and effectiveness of international treaties and agreements, diminishing the hopes for maintaining peace through diplomatic negotiations.
Failure of the League of Nations:
- The failure of the League of Nations to act against Germany’s aggressive actions exposed the organization’s inability to enforce its principles and maintain peace.
Isolationism in the United States:
- Strengthened isolationist sentiments in the United States, making it less likely to intervene in European affairs and thus making it easier for Hitler to continue his expansionist policies.
Contributed to the Outbreak of WWII:
- Ultimately, the policy of appeasement failed to prevent the outbreak of World War II and instead provided Hitler with the time, resources, and diplomatic concessions to prepare for and execute his aggressive plans.
Human and Territorial Losses:
- Led to the deaths of millions of people, the destruction of cities, and the reshaping of European and world borders during and after the war.
Changed Global Power Dynamics:
- Marked the end of the dominance of the European colonial powers and the rise of the United States and the Soviet Union as global superpowers.