For

• Britain simply wasn't ready to fight. Rearmament didn't start until 1936 and it would take at least 4 years for the army to be ready for a full-scale war. Britain needed to buy time. Entering a war earlier on could have meant that they had lost
• The Great Depression meant that Britain and France couldn't afford to fight. They had their own problems to worry about and 'charity begins at home'
• Many people felt that they Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh on Germany and that it was only fair to allow Hitler to overturn parts of it. For example, he should be allowed to rearm and remilitarise the Rhineland, as Germany had been left vulnerable with an army of only 100,000 men
• The USA signed two neutrality acts in the 1930s, saying it would not get involved if Europe went to war. Without the support of such a powerful country, Britain and France didn't have enough money or resources or will to fight, so they did what they could
• The people of Britain simply didn't want war. In 1934 the 'Peace Ballot' allowed everyone to vote on how they felt Britain should handle aggressive situations. The vast majority said military action should not be taken by Britain. Chamberlain returned from the Munich Agreement a hero
• From the Daily Express, 30th September 1938: People of Britain, your children are safe. Your husbands and sons will not march into battle. If we must have a victor let us choose Chamberlain. For the prime minister's conquests are mighty and enduring - millions of happy homes and hearts relieved of their burden
• Many of Hitler's actions gave the people what they wanted. Anschluss pleased 99% of Austrian people, so it was democratically right to let Hitler unite with Austria
• WWI was still fresh in the minds of the people of Europe. 17 million people had been killed, including Chamberlain's own son. Chamberlain would do anything to avoid other people having to face the same pain
• The threat of Communism worried many people much more than Hitler did. A strong Germany would stop the spread of Communism from the USSR, so Hitler needed to be allowed to build up his army