History Project

2024-25
Topic: Great Wars in History: WW1 & WW2

Name: Jaivant Sai K

Class & Section: X C
Subject: History
Roll No. : 8

Internal Examiner External Examiner

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ACKNOWNLEDGEMENT:
I want to thank our Dear Principal Louis J Dais & our History teacher Mr. Wilson
Roystin for giving us this opportunity to improve our learning & understanding
about different topics & gain knowledge about new things. I also want to thank
my parents for supporting me in my educational journey.

Index
S.I Title Pages
1
Introduction 1

2 First World War

Causes for WW1 2
Course of War 3-5
Results of the War 6
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_
Second World War
7-8
Causes for WW2
Course of War 9-10
Results of WW2 11-12

3 Conclusion 13

4 Bibliography 14

Introduction-
**First World War (1914-1918):**
- Originated from political alliances, imperialism, and militarism
among European powers.
- Triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of
Austria-Hungary in 1914.
- Fought primarily in Europe, with trench warfare and new
technologies like machine guns and chemical weapons.
- Involved the Allied powers (France, Britain, Russia, later the
United States) against the central powers (Germany, Austria-
Hungary, Ottoman Empire).
- Resulted in millions of casualties and reshaped the geopolitical
landscape of Europe.
- Ended with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, but its harsh terms
laid the groundwork for future conflicts.

**Second World War (1939-1945):**

- Stemmed from unresolved issues of the First World War,
exacerbated by economic instability and the rise of totalitarian
regimes.
- Began with Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939, prompting
Britain and France to declare war.
- Engulfed much of the world, with major theaters of war in
Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
- Featured blitzkrieg tactics, aerial bombings, and the Holocaust,
in which millions were systematically exterminated by the Nazis.
- Involved the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) against the
Allied powers (Britain, Soviet Union, United States, and others).
- Ended with the unconditional surrender of Axis powers in 1945,
following the use of atomic bombs by the United States.
- Resulted in unparalleled devastation, loss of life, and the
emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as
superpowers, shaping the post-war world and leading to the
ColdWar.
Causes For WW1-
1. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The immediate
trigger was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of
Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, by a Bosnian Serb
nationalist.

2. Alliance System: Europe was divided into two main alliance

blocs, with countries forming alliances to deter potential
aggression. The alliances, particularly the Triple Entente
(France, Russia, and later the UK) and the Triple Alliance
(Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy), created a web of
obligations.

3. Imperialism: Competition among European powers for colonial

territories and resources fueled tensions and rivalries.

4. Nationalism: Intense nationalism and the desire for national

sovereignty contributed to regional conflicts, especially in the
Balkans.

5. Militarism: An arms race and the buildup of military forces,

especially in Germany and Britain, heightened the potential for
conflict.

6. Blank Check: Austria-Hungary received a "blank check" of

support from Germany after the assassination, leading to the
swift escalation of hostilities.

7. Failure of Diplomacy: Diplomatic efforts to prevent the

outbreak of war were ineffective, with complex alliances and a
lack of communication contributing to misunderstandings.
8. July Crisis: The diplomatic crisis in July 1914, following the
assassination, saw a series of ultimatums, declarations of war,
and a rapid escalation of the conflict. The combination of these
factors created a volatile

environment, leading to the outbreak of World War I. The war

had far-reaching consequences, reshaping the geopolitical
landscape and setting the stage for future conflicts.
Course of War

The course of World War I involved a series of military

campaigns, battles, and events that unfolded over the course of
four years. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the war's
progression:

1. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (June 28, 1914):

The spark that ignited the war occurred with the assassination of
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne,
in Sarajevo.

2. July Crisis (July 1914): Austria-Hungary declared war on

Serbia, leading to a cascade of events with Russia, Germany,
France, and the United Kingdom becoming involved due to their
treaty obligations.

3. Western Front (1914-1918):

- Battle of the Frontiers (August 1914): Early clashes on the
Western Front resulted in large casualties, but the frontlines
stabilized into trench warfare.
- First Battle of the Marne (September 1914): The Allies halted
the German advance, marking a turning point in the early stages
of the war.

4. Eastern Front (1914-1917):

- Battle of Tannenberg (August 1914): Germany defeated the
Russian army in East Prussia.
 - Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive (May 1915): The Central Powers
(mainly Germany and Austria-Hungary) launched a successful
offensive on the Eastern Front.
- Brusilov Offensive (June-September 1916): Russia launched a
major offensive against the Central Powers, achieving significant
gains.

5. Gallipoli Campaign (1915-1916): Allied forces, mainly ANZAC

and British troops, attempted to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula
to open up a supply route to Russia. The campaign ended in
failure and evacuation.

6. Italian Front (1915-1918): Italy joined the Allies and fought

against Austria-Hungary along the mountainous Italian Front.

7. War at Sea:
- Battle of Jutland (May 1916): The largest naval battle of the
war occurred between the British Royal Navy and the German
High Seas Fleet in the North Sea.
- Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: Germany's use of
unrestricted submarine warfare, particularly the sinking of the
Lusitania in 1915, played a role in drawing the United States into
the conflict.

8. U.S. Entry (1917): The United States entered the war on the
side of the Allies following incidents such as the resumption of
unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany and the interception
of the Zimmermann Telegram.

9. Russian Revolution (1917): The Bolshevik Revolution led to

Russia's exit from the war after the signing of the Treaty of
Brest-Litovsk with the Central Powers in 1918.
10. Spring Offensive (1918): Germany launched a massive
offensive on the Western Front, attempting to break the
stalemate before the arrival of large numbers of American
troops.

11. Hundred Days Offensive (1918): The Allies, bolstered by

fresh American forces, launched a series of offensives that
pushed the Central Powers back.

12. Armistice (November 11, 1918): The war officially ended with
the signing of the Armistice, marking the victory of the Allies.

Results of the War

1. Treaty of Versailles: Imposed harsh terms on Germany,

leading to economic hardships and fostering resentment.

2. Dissolution of Empires: Collapse of empires like Austro-

Hungarian, Ottoman, Russian, and German, reshaping
geopolitical boundaries.

3. League of Nations: Established to promote international

cooperation, but its effectiveness was limited.

4. Economic and Social Changes: War's impact led to significant

societal and economic shifts.

5. Influenza Pandemic: Global spread of the influenza virus,

resulting in a deadly pandemic.
6. Shift in Global Power: Weakened European powers; U.S. and
Japan emerged as major players.

7. Preconditions for World War II: Treaty issues, economic

instability, and rise of authoritarian regimes contributed to
WWII.

8. Redrawing of Borders: New national boundaries established in

Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

9. Human Cost: Immense loss of life and lasting physical and

psychological scars.
Second World War-

Causes for WW2

1. Treaty of Versailles (1919): The punitive terms imposed on
Germany created resentment and economic hardships, fostering
a climate conducive to radical ideologies.

2. Rise of Totalitarian Regimes: The emergence of authoritarian

leaders such as Adolf Hitler in Germany, Benito Mussolini in
Italy, and militaristic factions in Japan sought to overturn the
post-World War I order and pursue expansionist agendas.
3. Expansionist Ambitions: Aggressive territorial ambitions of
Germany, Italy, and Japan, seeking to expand their influence and
territories through military conquest.

4. Appeasement: The policy of appeasement by Western powers,

particularly toward Nazi Germany, emboldened aggressive
actions and allowed territorial takeovers without significant
resistance.

5. Failure of the League of Nations: The League of Nations,

established after World War I to maintain peace, proved
ineffective in preventing the aggressive actions of totalitarian
regimes.

6. Economic Turmoil: The global economic depression of the

1930s contributed to political instability and the rise of extremist
ideologies as nations sought solutions to economic challenges.

7. Militarization and Rearmament: Re-armament efforts in

Germany and other nations increased tensions as military
buildups intensified.

8. Invasion of Poland (1939): The invasion of Poland by Germany

in 1939, followed by the Soviet Union's invasion from the east,
marked the official beginning of World War II.

Course of War
1. Invasion of Poland (1939): Germany invades, prompting
Britain and France to declare war.

2. Blitzkrieg and Fall of France (1940): Germany swiftly conquers

France using blitzkrieg tactics.
3. Battle of Britain (1940): Royal Air Force repels German air
attacks, preventing a German invasion.

4. Eastern Front and Operation Barbarossa (1941): Germany

invades the Soviet Union, leading to brutal fighting.

5. Pearl Harbor and Pacific Theater (1941-1942): Japan attacks

the U.S., bringing it into the war; Pacific battles ensue.

6. North Africa and Stalingrad (1942-1943): Allies resist

Germans in North Africa; Soviets win at Stalingrad.

7. Italian Campaign (1943-1944): Allied campaigns in Italy lead

to the fall of Mussolini.

8. D-Day and Western Front (1944): Allies invade Normandy,

signaling the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.

9. Battle of the Bulge (1944-1945): Germany's failed offensive in

the Ardennes.

10. Soviet Advances and Berlin (1944-1945): Red Army advances

from the east, capturing Berlin.

11. Atomic Bombings (1945): U.S. drops atomic bombs on

Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

12. End of the War (1945): Germany surrenders in May; Japan

surrenders in September.
Results of War
The results of World War II (1939-1945) had profound and far-
reaching consequences:
1. Allied Victory: The Allies, led by the United States, the Soviet
Union, the United Kingdom, and others, achieved victory over
the Axis powers, including Nazi Germany, Italy, and Japan.

2. Holocaust and War Crimes: The war revealed the extent of

atrocities committed during the Holocaust, leading to the
genocide of six million Jews by the Nazis. The Nuremberg Trials
held war criminals accountable for their actions.

3. Destruction and Reconstruction: Widespread destruction

occurred across Europe and Asia. The Marshall Plan aided in the
reconstruction of Western Europe, fostering economic recovery.

4. Atomic Bombings: The United States dropped atomic bombs

on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, leading to Japan's surrender
and shaping the post-war nuclear era.

5. Cold War: Tensions between the United States and the Soviet
Union escalated, marking the beginning of the Cold War,
characterized by ideological, political, and military rivalries.

6. United Nations: Established in 1945, the United Nations aimed

to promote international cooperation, prevent future conflicts,
and address global issues.

7. Decolonization: The war accelerated the process of

decolonization, leading to the independence of numerous Asian
and African nations from colonial rule.

8. Division of Germany: Germany was divided into East and West,

with the Berlin Wall symbolizing the broader ideological divide
between communism and democracy.
9. NATO and Warsaw Pact: Military alliances such as NATO
(North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the Warsaw Pact
formed as part of the Cold War power struggle.

10. Technological Advances: The war spurred technological

advancements, including the development of jet engines, radar,
and the potential for nuclear energy.

The aftermath of World War II reshaped the world order,

influenced the course of the Cold War, and laid the foundation
for the post-war era.

The First and Second World Wars dramatically reshaped the

20th century. The First World War (1914-1918) arose from
complex alliances and nationalism, resulting in immense
devastation and the Treaty of Versailles, which sowed the seeds
for future conflict. The Second World War (1939-1945) stemmed
from these unresolved tensions, featuring global conflict, the
Holocaust, and the use of atomic bombs. These wars led to the
decline of European empires, the rise of the U.S. and the Soviet
Union as superpowers, and the creation of the United Nations to
promote international peace and cooperation.
Bibliography
Sources;
Britannica,
Total History & Civics 10 (Morning Star),
Unacademy ,
Drishti IAS ,
History.Com
Thank You……

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