WHAT EVENTS LED TO WORLD WAR II!
The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles left Germany weak as a nation, politically and
economically. The situation was made worse by the economic crisis that followed worldwide after the
US stock market crash in 1929, The Nazis, a nationalist movement led by Adolf Hitler in the 1930s
gained popularity, and when they came to power, he promised to ignors the Treaty of Versailles and
take revenge for Germany's defeat in World War L. He also re-armed Germany and increased the
numbers in the German forces) total control over country
Meanwhile, dictatag in Europe were actively assecting their power, Mussolini and his Fascist party in
Italy, Stalin and Communism in Russia, and Franco in Spain became powerful and aggressively
acquired territory for themselves. First, Germany took over Austria and then acquired a part of
Czechoslovakia where Germans were in majority. Italy, now a police state under Mussolini, attacked
and took over Ethiopia (in Africa) and then Albania (in Europe). Spain was involved in a civil war in
which Hitler and Mussolini gave armed support to the nationalists. In the East, Japan Invaded China in
1937, killing thousands, and then Mongolia in 1938, but it was met with tough resistance from the
Chinese and by Soviet troops.
The League of Nations was unable to stop this forcible occupation of other lands but Britain and
France threatened to declare war if Germany attacked Poland. On I September 1939, Germany
invaded Poland. On 3 September Britain and France declared war on Germany. World War II had
begun. World War II was even more destructive than World War I with fighting taking place in Europe,
Asia, and Africa. The main players were Germany, Japan, and Italy who formed an alliance known as
the Axis, The countries that faced them in battle and came to be known as the Allies were Britain,
France, Russia, China, and the USA-'the Big Four' with nearly fifty other riations including the
Commonwealth countries, and European allies colonies and mandates in Africa, Asia, and the Middle
East.
ADOLF HITLER AND THE RISE OF NAZISM
The Germans were very unhappy about the Treaty of Versailles (1919) and its harsh terms. Germany
could not afford to pay for the World War I damages. During the 1920s the Germans were very poor,
there were not many jobs and the price of food and basic goods was high. Dissatisfied with the
government, they voted to power a man who promised to undo the Treaty of Versailles, make
Germany recover economically, and bring in a strong and stable government. His name was Adolf
Hitler and he was the leader of the Nazi Party which won the elections of 1930. In 1933, Hitler was
appointed Chancellor of Germany and in 1934, he took over completely as a dictator.
Hitler and the Nazis believed the German race to be the purest of the Aryans hence 'the master race';
all others, especially Jews, Slavs, and gypsies, were considered inferior Racism Became a part of
education in Nazi Germany. Even women's rights to education and careers were curtailed. Hitler
wanted a Greater Germany with more territory for the Germans.Communism was another threat to
Hitler's Germany which he wanted to suppress at all costs.
THE EVENTS OF WORLD WAR II
Germany attacked Poland on I September 1939 and quickly went on to conquer Denmark,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, and France. Italy joined Germany's side that same
month. Japan entered the war by bombing the USA military base at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, in
December 1941, bringing the United States into the war. Japan invaded China and managed to
overrun South-east Asia up to Burma", and many islands in the Pacific Ocean. Germany invaded the
Soviet Union in June 1942 but was forced to surrender at Stalingrad in February 1943. The fighting
spread to Greece and North Africa where German and Italian forces fought the Allies.
The war strategy of the Allied commanders Winston Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin made the war turn
in favour of the Allies. By 1943-44, the Allies started sto to halt the advance of the Axis Forces in
North Africa, France, Soviet Union, setfre and the Pacific, with Italy and France being invaded and
liberated by 1944.
The surprise attack by the Japanese on the US naval base, Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, on 7 December
1941 drew the USA into World War II. The United Dastroy completely ipe out the Japanese cities
States used the newly invented atomic bomb to wipe out the of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August
1945, which led to Japan's surrender.
This was the first and only use of atomic weapons in World War II.
In 1945, Allied Forces drove into Germany from the east (Russia) and the west (UK and USA). Germany
surrendered on May 1945, with Adolf Hitler committing suicide in his bunker at Berlin.
INDIAN INVOLVEMENT IN WORLD WAR II In 1939, the British Vičeroy, Lord Linlithgow declared India's
entry into
the War. This decision was taken without consulting prominent Indian Congress leaders sleaders who
had been elected into office in the 1937 elections. Consequently, the Congress ministries resigned and
Congress leaders declared Nazism and Fascism contrary to their held beliefs of non-violence.
However, Indian Congress leaders also used this opportunity to ask for independence of India from
British rule which they said was similar to Nazism and Fascism, and refused to align with Britain's fight
against the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) until India was granted independence. however
solters Nevertheless, 2.5 million Indian troops took part in World War II in campaigns in Italy, North
and East Africa, and other locations around the globe. The Japanese takeover of Burma and some
parts of Indian territorys was halted by Indian soldiers. These forces included tanks, artillery, and
airborne forces. Indian soldiers earned 30 Victoria Crosses, Britain's highest award for bravery, during
World War II. A very Important Critish medal for bravely.
BRITAIN'S RELATIONS WITH THE CONGRESS AND MUSLIM LEAGUE DURING WORLD WAR II co of naN
Quaid-e-Azam had termed the resignation of the the Congress government as a 'Day of Deliverance'
from Hindu oppression. During World War II, the Muslim League came closer to the British. The
Quaide a held several meetings with the Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow, and assured, him of Muslim support
for the British war effort, thus earning the goodwil of the British. At the same time, the Quaid used
the resignation of the Congress ministries to his advantage. The experience under Congress rule of
1937-39 gained support for the Muslim League. It developed into a mass movement leading to the
Lahore Resolution of 1940 in which Muslims demanded a separate state.
Congress' demands and Gandhi's Non-cooperation Movement for independence did not succeed and
Congress leaders were all jailed by the British government. By June 1941, 20,000 Congress members
were in prison. They were released at the end of 1941 when the threat of a Japanese invasion of India
seemed possible and the British government sent the Simon Commission for talks with the Congress
leaders. In 1942, the Simon Commission Plan was rejected and Gandhi made another call for civil
disobedience for the British to 'Quit India'. As a result, most of the important Congress members
including Gandhi and Nehru were again imprisoned and were not released till World War II was finally
over by the end of August 1945.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF WORLD WAR II The effects of World War Il were long-lasting politically,
economically.
and in human terms. Most parts of Europe and Asia lay in ruins. The destruction in Europe was
immeasurable. Nearly twenty-eight million people in Europe died in the war and twenty-one million
were left homeless and starving. More than half the dead were civillans. World War II resulted in the
downfall of Western Europe as the centre of world power and the USA and USSR emerged as the new
superpowers. The development of the nuclear bomb brought in the nuclear age. European nations,
economically weakened by the war, could no longer hold on to their colonies which became
independent as nation states, and a new world order emerged. The alliance between the USA and
USSR broke down as the USSR wanted to spread Communism in Europe and Asia. This began what is
termed the Cold War', ie, unfriendly ties without armed conflict.
COMMUNISM VS CAPITALISM
The politicians in the USA had a different belief system on which their government was based. This
was the capitalist system which gave individuit and businesses the ownership of the means of
production and the right to produce for profit. This economic system combined with democracy also
gave people the right to free speech and free enterprise, i.e. to invest in a business for profit. The
democratic way of life was precious to the Americ people and they took it upon themselves to uphold
freedom and democra in other countries as well. The USA aimed to contain Communism from
spreading to other countries; the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was formed to defend
democratic values, and the Marshall Plan was formed to financially help European states affected by
World War II recover economically and adopt capitalism and free trade.
Capitalism
People can make as much money as they like.
Factories and other property should be owned by individuals or companies.
The government should interfere as little as possible in the lives of the people.
At elections, people should choose whoever they want as leaders.
The press should be free to criticise the government.
The government should not interfere in the religious beliefs of people.
Communism
Rich people must be forced to share their wealth with all.
Factories and other property should be owned by the state on behalf of all the people.
Communist government believes in getting involved in every aspect of people's lives.
At elections, people can be allowed to vote for the Communist Party only.
The press cannot criticise the government.
The Communists disregard religion as having any role in government and discourage it.
