Study this source. Source C The following data shows the results of a British public opinion survey conducted after the Munich Agreement in October 1938. Fr...

Source analysis

Source C presents British opinion poll data from October 1938 showing that 57% thought Chamberlain was right to negotiate at Munich, 33% believed he gave away too much, and 10% had no opinion. On the surface, the data appears to prove majority support for appeasement. However, a closer reading reveals that support was not overwhelming: a substantial minority (33%) already opposed the agreement, and the 10% with no opinion may have included people uneasy about the deal. The source captures a single moment of relief immediately after the Munich crisis, not a considered long-term view.

Contextual knowledge

Public opinion shifted dramatically after Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, which proved the Munich Agreement was worthless. The poll also reflects that many in the British public feared another war like 1914-1918 and were aware that Britain was not yet militarily prepared. They did not know about the Hossbach Memorandum (1937), which recorded Hitler telling his military leaders that Germany must be ready for war by 1943. Politicians who opposed appeasement even when it was popular included Winston Churchill, Duff Cooper (who resigned from the Cabinet over Munich), and Anthony Eden. The source cannot show how opinion would change once the agreement's failure became clear.

Mark scheme (Levels of Response) [8 marks]

• Level 1 [1-3 marks]: Simple use of the data. For example, '57% supported Chamberlain, so the source proves the British people supported appeasement.' No evaluation.
• Level 2 [4-6 marks]: Uses the data to evaluate, noting both the 57% support and the 33% opposition. Recognises that the source provides some evidence of support but that it was not unanimous. May consider the provenance (a single poll from one moment in time).
• Level 3 [7-8 marks]: Evaluates the source's usefulness AND limitations using both source details and own knowledge. Considers why opinion was shaped by fear of war and ignorance of Hitler's plans, explains how opinion changed after March 1939, and assesses the limitations of a single opinion poll as evidence for long-term attitudes.

Exam reminder: Statistical sources can be deceptive. Always ask: does a snapshot from one moment prove a lasting trend? What factors shaped the responses? What happened afterwards that might have changed opinions?