What was a reason for the widespread support of appeasement in Britain?

The widespread support of appeasement in Britain prior to World War II was largely driven by the fear of communism spreading across Europe. Many British politicians and the public viewed the rise of fascist regimes, particularly Hitler's Germany, as a preferable alternative to a potential communist threat emanating from the Soviet Union. This concern was particularly pronounced in the interwar years, as the memory of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent civil war led to anxieties about communist ideologies taking hold in neighboring countries.

By appeasing Germany and allowing it to expand its territory, many in Britain believed they could avoid a large-scale conflict that might inadvertently bolster communist movements if the Axis powers were to clash with the Soviet Union. Thus, it was the fear of communism, rather than any admiration for Germany's military prowess or a desire to build alliances with states like Italy, that largely fueled the policy of appeasement. This context illustrates that the underlying motivations were significantly linked to concerns about ideological threats rather than any militaristic or alliance-driven ambitions.