Many historians think Chamberlain's 'appeasment' was simply buying time for rearmament. Towards the end of the war Hitler often had tantrums about being 'tricked' by Chamberlain into delaying the start of major conflict. By the time Hitler invaded Poland (seventy years ago today), Britain had beefed up it's military hardware and had made many military preparations.
Obviously, Chamberlain hoped Hitler wouldn't grab anymore of his nieghbours' land, but he didn't just sit there with his fingers crossed! He switched the country towards a 'total war' footing and got ready. History has remembered him unkindly.
Chamberlain finally declared war because Hitler launched a naval attack against the strategically vital port of Gdansk in Poland and had mobilised a massive invasion force which swept across western Poland. Hitler's previous land-grabs had been low-key, localised events. But the invasion of Poland was a massive and irreconcilable move. It was a clear statement of intent to dominate the whole of Europe.
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