Final answer:
Britain, France, and the rest of Europe largely pursued a policy of appeasement in response to Hitler's expansion of the German military and other violations of the Treaty of Versailles, offering verbal protests but avoiding military action.
Step-by-step explanation:
European Responses to Hitler's Treaty Violations
When Adolf Hitler began to expand the German military beyond the limits set by the Treaty of Versailles, the response from Britain, France, and the rest of Europe was largely one of appeasement. France and Britain, wary of the consequences of enforcing the treaty and confronting Hitler, did little more than offer verbal protests. Despite realizing the potential threat posed by Hitler, many European leaders, influenced by the pacifism of the time and a desire to avoid another war, refrained from military action. The British and French even negotiated with Hitler during events like the Munich Conference, agreeing to permit his expansion into parts of Czechoslovakia in exchange for his promise to cease further aggression.
Britain and France, along with the League of Nations, effectively chose to condemn the actions of Nazi Germany but refrained from taking any military action. This policy of appeasement was partially driven by the perception that the Treaty of Versailles had been overly harsh on Germany. There was also a fear of communism spreading in Europe, which some felt Hitler's fascism could counteract. Ultimately, the lack of decisive action regarding Hitler's violations of the treaty directly contributed to the escalation of hostilities leading to World War II.