What term describes the policy of making concessions to an aggressor to avoid conflict, particularly associated with Neville Chamberlain?

The term that describes the policy of making concessions to an aggressor to avoid conflict is "appeasement." This policy is most notably associated with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in the lead-up to World War II, particularly regarding his approach to Adolf Hitler’s expansionist goals. Chamberlain's negotiations and agreements, such as the Munich Agreement of 1938, were aimed at maintaining peace by allowing Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia, hoping this would satisfy Hitler's territorial ambitions and prevent a larger conflict.

In the historical context, appeasement is often criticized because it is viewed as a failed strategy that allowed aggressive powers to assert their dominance unchecked, ultimately leading to greater conflict later on. The term encapsulates the broader theme of the era regarding how democracies grappled with the rise of totalitarian regimes and the challenge of maintaining peace while balancing national security interests. This policy illustrates the complexities and dilemmas faced by governments in the interwar period in their attempts to navigate the tensions leading up to World War II.