History always gives us lessons, if only we care to listen. Neville Chamberlain was the Prime Minister of Britain in late 1930s. Hitler was becoming increasingly aggressive — and powerful. The smaller nations of Europe became increasingly fearful — and Chamberlain wanted to avoid an all out war. He had to face internal politics too. His foreign secretary Lord Halifax thought as long as they gave Hitler a little bit of what he wanted, he won’t come after Britain. His idea was simple — appeasement.
In a desperate attempt, Chamberlain took a long flight to Berghof, Hitler’s residence in the Bavarian Alps. Hitler was ecstatic, but threw tantrums anyway. The Nazi press thought that the British Lion had finally surrendered to the German wolf.
One man in London, saw Hitler for what he was. He knew that someday the Luftwaffe will dot the British skies. Winston Churchill knew that once the wolf smells blood, it will only come back for more. He knew appeasement was futile and foolish.
He told Neville Chamberlain, “You had a choice between dishonour and war. You chose dishonour, and you will have war”.
The rest as they say, is history.
