Peace for our time

File:Neville Chamberlain2.jpg

Chamberlain holding the paper containing the resolution to commit to peaceful methods signed by both Hitler and himself on his return from Germany in September 1938.

The phrase "Peace for our time" was spoken in 1938 by Neville Chamberlain in his speech given in the defense of the Munich Agreement, often misquoted as "Peace in our time".

It is primarily remembered for its ironic value. The Munich Agreement gave the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia to Hitler in an attempt to satisfy his desire for Lebensraum or territory for Germany.

One year after the agreement, Europe was plunged into World War II.

In modern popular culture

• The Church of England Book of Common Prayer includes the following versicle and response [1]:

Minister: Give peace in our time, O Lord.

All: Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God.

• "Peace In Our Time" is a 1984 song by Elvis Costello which is critical of Ronald Reagan. The lyric refers to Neville Chamberlain, imperialism, totalitarianism and social control, commenting on their relation to then current world politics and social conditions in Europe and the United States.
• "Peace In Our Time" is also the title of Big Country's fourth studio album.
• Monty Python's Flying Circus has made a reference to Peace for our time in their sketch The Funniest Joke in the World, where the treaty is being referred to as "Britain's great pre-war joke".
• Freeciv peace treaties are concluded with the quote "Yes, peace in our time."

See also

• Land for peace

External links

• Chapter 36