Appeasement and All Souls
A Portrait with Documents, 1937–1939

The volume analyses the All Souls 'think-tank' and its deliberations on inter-war foreign policy.

Sidney Aster (Edited by)

9780521843744, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 January 2005

258 pages
22.5 x 14.6 x 2.4 cm, 0.44 kg

The origins of World War II and alternatives to appeasement have been the subject of vigorous debate for many decades. However, the least understood and explored aspect of these debates has been the subject of public opinion. This volume addresses the vital phenomenon of elite and intellectual opinion. This unique All Souls 'think-tank' deliberated for almost two years to frame an alternative foreign policy for a country facing the menace of a worldwide threat, stretching from Germany to Italy to Japan. The group represented a wide-ranging selection of the finest individuals of the time with an unmatched wealth and breadth of public and private service. The volume analyses the deliberations of this think-tank as it struggled to frame a consensus for a foreign policy document intended to guide public and government debate, and avoid another world war.

Introduction: Appeasement and All Souls College
'A Transitional Policy', December 1937 - February 1938
'Foreign Policy Now', March 1938
'A Peace Policy for the Immediate Present', April - May 1938
'Hours and Hours of Talk', June 1938 - March 1939
'Between Resistance and Retreat'
Appendix: Participants in the All Souls Discussions
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural history [HBTB], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], British & Irish history [HBJD1], Prose: non-fiction [DN]