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Context:
Neville Chamberlain became Prime Minister in May 1937. He is synonymous with the policy of 'appeasement' - of trying to avoid large scale warfare in Europe by seeking a diplomatic solution with Germany.
He met with Adolf Hitler three times in 1938, famously returning with a signed undertaking from the Nazi leader which Chamberlain said he thought would offer 'peace in our time'.
However, Hitler would go back on his word within six months and when Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939 it was Chamberlain's solemn duty two days later to announce to the nation that it was 'at war with Germany'.
Transcript:
'I am speaking to you from the Cabinet Room of 10 Downing Street. This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German government a final note, stating that unless we heard from them - by 11 o'clock - that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received and that, consequently, this country is at war with Germany.'
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