The Munich crisis had seen Halifax begin to take a stronger line than Chamberlain against further concessions to Germany . Andrew Roberts argues that from this point on , Halifax set his face firmly towards a policy of deterrence . He hoped that increased rearmament — including strengthening of alliances with and economic support to the countries of Eastern Europe , and the reintroduction of conscription — coupled with a firmer line towards Germany , Italy , and Japan would reduce the risks of those three hostile powers acting in combination . ( It is of note that , when war did begin , neither Japan nor Italy was prepared to join in until the pendulum had swung much further in Germany 's favour . ) After Munich , Halifax ( successfully ) advised Chamberlain against capitalising on his popularity by calling a snap general election ; instead he urged ( in vain ) that Chamberlain widen the National Coalition by offering jobs not just to Churchill and Eden but also to Labour and Liberal figures . Halifax was also disgusted by the anti-Jewish pogrom of Kristallnacht ( 10 November ) . He advocated British financial aid to the countries of central and eastern Europe to discourage them from coming under Germany 's influence
Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht
Edward Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax