appeasement
n. uncountablen. the act of giving in to someone's demands to avoid a fight or war. It is often used to describe how countries try to keep the peace by giving up some of their power.
n. the act of satisfying a person or nation's demands in order to avoid conflict. Often carries a pejorative connotation, implying that the concessions made will not prevent future aggression.
The government tried appeasement to avoid another war.
Historians often debate whether appeasement was a legitimate strategy or a failure to stand up to aggression.
The policy of appeasement in the 1930s is frequently cited as a cautionary tale of how diplomatic concessions can be interpreted as a sign of weakness rather than a commitment to peace.
From Middle English appesement, from Old French apaisement.