Neville Chamberlain
/ˌnevl ˈtʃeɪmbəlɪn/
/ˌnevl ˈtʃeɪmbərlɪn/
- (1869-1940) a British conservative (1937-40) and son of Joseph Chamberlain. He is mainly remembered for his policy of appeasement. He signed the Munich Agreement in 1938, trying to avoid a war against Germany and Italy, but said that Britain would defend Poland if Germany attacked it. This led to the start of the Second World War. He left the government soon after Britain entered the war, when British forces were defeated in Norway. “This is the second time in our history that there has come back from Germany to Downing Street peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time.”