Peace for our time: Difference between revisions
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}}</ref> We cannot know how deliberate Chamberlain's use of such a similar term was, but anyone of his background would be familiar with the original. |
}}</ref> We cannot know how deliberate Chamberlain's use of such a similar term was, but anyone of his background would be familiar with the original. |
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In ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'', during the famous "[[Funniest Joke in the World]]" sketch, the agreement is called "Britain's great pre-war joke". |
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==The speeches== |
==The speeches== |
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Revision as of 19:26, 7 June 2010
The phrase "peace for our time" was spoken on 30 September 1938 by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in his speech concerning the Munich Agreement.[1] It is primarily remembered for its ironic value. The Munich Agreement gave the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia to Adolf Hitler in an attempt to satisfy his desire for Lebensraum ("living space") for Germany. The German occupation of the Sudetenland began on the next day, 1 October.
Less than a year after the agreement, following continued aggression from Germany and its invasion of Poland, Europe was plunged into World War II.
Often misquoted as "peace in our time", this had appeared long before in The Book of Common Prayer as "Give peace in our time, O Lord".[2] We cannot know how deliberate Chamberlain's use of such a similar term was, but anyone of his background would be familiar with the original.
In Monty Python's Flying Circus, during the famous "Funniest Joke in the World" sketch, the agreement is called "Britain's great pre-war joke".
The speeches
Chamberlain landed at Heston Aerodrome on 30 September 1938, and spoke to the crowds there:
"...the settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace. This morning I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine (waves paper to the crowd - receiving loud cheers and "Hear Hears"). Some of you, perhaps, have already heard what it contains but I would just like to read it to you (proceeds to read the agreement). [...] We regard the agreement signed last night and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement, as symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again."[3]
Later that day he stood outside Number 10 Downing Street and again read from the document and concluded:
"My good friends, 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 [emphasis added]. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And now I recommend you to go home and sleep quietly in your beds."[3]
References
- ^ "Neville Chamberlain". UK government. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
- ^ "Morning Prayer. Versicles". The Book of Common Prayer.
- ^ a b The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
External links
- Peace in our Time. Speech given in Defense of the Munich Agreement, 1938 - online text of the speech.
- Fred Thompson's RNC Speech, September 2, 2008-- Online text and video of the speech. Specific citation "peace in our time" is in the third from the final paragraph.