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Fears, expectations and beliefs before WW2 broke out

It was clear to everyone that the German chancellor, Adolf Hitler had war ambitions within Europe. There were very real hopes that it wouldn't reach Britain, particularly with Britaiin's apparently successful negotiations with Hitler. Yet Chamberlain was certain that war would come and was playing for time, as is clear from the plans that the Government was making before war was declared. The page claims that he was not the appeaser that history projects but an astute politition.

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By the webmaster with collected recollections and additional research

Fears, expectations and beliefs

Before World War Two was declared, everyone in Britain knew that it was a possibility because Adolf Hitler's territorial ambitions in Europe were well-known - and there were very real fears among ordinary people. Memories of the First World War were still fresh in peoples' minds: the pain and death from mustard gas and the disabilities from the the battlefields and the bombs on the home front. However, the hope was that it wouldn't happen. In general, people rested their faith in what they understood was an agreement between Neville Chamberlain, the prime minister, and Hitler that he would not invade Britain. There are well-publicised photos of Chamberlain in 1938 returning from a visit to Germany for talks with Hitler, waving a piece of paper and announcing "Peace in our Time". The agreement was known as the Munich Agreement, but precisely what was on the paper is somewhat uncertain.

Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain waving the 'Peace in our time' document on his return from visiting Hitler in Munich

Government contingency plans for war

The Government contingency plans were well advanced by the time war arrived. They are documented in the first of a series of leaflets which were distributed to households, public libraries, etc. so that there could be no doubt that everyone would be well-informed. The entire series of leaflets is on xxxx. You may like to read the one on the continency planning now. It is crucial, though, to realise that it contains merely factual statements of intent. For the full picture of how the plans affected people, how they implemented them and their emotions throughout, check the links on the above menu and on the main WW2 page.

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