Appeasement is a diplomatic policy of making political or material concessions to an enemy power to avoid war. This term is often in context with a country’s foreign policy. Actually appeasement was followed by Britain first and later on by France.
The purpose of this policy of Britain was to avoid war with aggressive powers such as Germany, Italy and Japan by giving way to their demands, provided the demands were not too unreasonable.
The appeasement policy was seen during the Jews and young plans which tried to appease Germany. During this period there was vague feeling that war could be avoided at all cost.
Hitler violated the clauses of the treaty of Versailles; the League of Nations appeared to be helpless. Britain thus, volunteered, by personal contacts with leaders, to settle disputes.
The Italian victory at Abyssinia was a grave blow to the League of Nations because this action of Italy proved the ineffectiveness of collective security system. Actually Britain and France were not militarily and economically prepared for war and were anxious to avoid any action which might provoke Italy into war with them. Germany occupied Rhineland, ignoring the treaty of Versailles. Britain and France protested only and it revealed again the weakness of Britain and France.