Why did Britain and France pursue a policy of appeasement? Was it successful?

... Why did Britain and France pursue a policy of appeasement? Was it successful? Appeasement is defined as "a disposition to avoid conflict by judicious concession and negotiation" and it became a key part of Britain and France's foreign policy in the 1930s with the lead up to World War 2 and Hitler's steady rise to power. There is no one reason why Britain and France followed this policy, however it is a combination of reasons all inter-linked and very much based on the people and government of the time. In the aftermath of World War 1, a mutual understanding developed between the British government and society that never again should such a catastrophe occur; it was described as the "war to end all wars", reinforcing the view that it was a cataclysmic event which should never happen again. The frightful events of world war one had instilled a sense

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