Appeasement Now that you have some background knowledge of the issues of the time, let's now return to the letter. Having referred to the problems ahead, Eden seems keen to tell Chamberlain about his relationship with the United States who will be used to prop up Britain's Pacific position. Without US support in the Pacific, Britain would be in a very weak strategic position, possibly having to fight on more than one front. Look closely at the second paragraph and answer Question 6 in the notepad. Question 6 What evidence is there from the letter that Eden thought it important to build US support? Enter your answer in Notepad 6 and then have it analysed.

The role of the United States is vital in understanding the whole issue of appeasement. Eden felt it was futile to try to reach agreement with the dictators. The best way to avoid war, in his opinion, was to involve the US alongside Britain in the Far East. If there were a European war subsequently, the US would automatically be committed as Britain's ally. He felt that all should be sacrificed to the objective of Anglo-American co-operation and actively sought Roosevelt's support. Chamberlain, on the other hand wanted to steer British policy more in the direction of appeasement in Europe and expected little from the United States. It was Chamberlain who sent a cold answer to Roosevelt's suggestion for an international conference. Eden took offence as he had been trying to encourage American involvement. Tensions between the two men mounted.