Chapter 11,12 and 13

WORLD WAR I(1914-1919)

Reason why is it called a World War? It was fought on a wide scale on the land, the sea
and on the air. About 86 nations took part in this war. Because of the extent of its
spread, impact and its total nature, it was called World War.
`Causes of the war:
1) Franco-German rivalry:- (i) France defeated by Germany in Franco- Prussian
War in 1870-71. (ii) Alsace-Lorraine were taken away from France.(iii) The
issue of Morocco also created bitter feelings between the two.
2) Division of Europe:- (i) Britain , France and Russia had formed the Triple
Entente in 1907 A.D. Later 1apan joined it. (ii) Germany, Austria-Hungary and
Italy had formed a Triple Alliance in 1882A.D. Later turkey joined it.(iii) This
secret diplomacy gave rise to the feelings of mutual suspicion, distrust and
hatred.
3) German ambition of a World Empire:- (i) Kaiser William was an ambitious
ruler who provoked the people for militarism. (ii) Sudden increase in its naval
force and large scale production of arms and ammunitions made England ,
France and Russia his enemies.(iii) It resulted in a race for armaments among
rival groups.
4) Role of newspapers :- (i) The war propaganda by newspapers in Germany
aggravated the tension, generating hatred, doubt and distrust among all powers.
5) Militant Nationalism: - (i) It was caused by narrow nationalism, economic
competition and international tension. (ii) Kaiser William wanted to establish a
vast German Empire. (iii) The French,wanted to take a revenge; The Italians
looked discontended and the Balkan States were unsatisfied.
6) Race for armament : - (i) Germany had acquired her colonies in Africa and few
islands in the Pacific Ocean and she made more warships and developed a
powerful navy. (ii) Germany also dug the Keil Canal deeper for the war ships.
(iii) It resulted a race for armaments. The defence spending had increased
between 1908 and 1914.
7) Imperialistic interests clashed:- (i) France wanted Alsace Lorraine back from
Germany. (ii) Britain and France made a secret agreement in 1904-Britain was
to have Egypt and France was to take over Morocco but it was opposed by
Germany which declared that all the nations had equal opportunities to trade
with it.(iii) Germany had planned the construction of a railway line from Berlin
to Baghdad to control the economy of Ottoman Empire.(iv) Russia had her
ambition in Iran. (v) 1apan had plan to hold the Far East.
8) Balkan issues:- (i) The Balkans was a region comprising modern Romania,
Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Crotia, Servia and Montenegro whose
inhabitants were known as Slavs. (ii) With the disintegration of the Ottoman
Empire, which was keeping control over it, made this region an area of intense
conflict. (iii) Austria annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(iv)Serbia,Bulgaria,Montenegro and Greece started a war against the Turks.
9) Pan-Slavic Movement:- (i) Means the independence of the Slavic people in
Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire under Serbia. (ii) Austria
feared that such movements would endanger its empire as it included people
from a different nationality. (iii) Serbia was supported by Russia who wanted to
dominate the Balkan region, a move which created tension between Austria and
Russia.
10) No effective International organization for the preservation of peace
11) Immediate cause:- The Sarajevo Incident :-(i) On 28
th
1une 1914, Archduke
Ferdinand along with his wife , were assassinated in Sarajevo, the capital of
Bosnia- Herzegovina. (ii) Austria, suspecting the Serbian involvement, sent a ten
point ultimatum to Serbia. (iii) On 28th 1uly 1914, Austria declared war on
Serbia. Russia came to help Serbia. ON 1
st
August Germany declared war on
Russia and on 3
rd
on France. On 4
th
Britain declared war on Germany.
Though it was a war between the Allied Powers (France,
England, Russia, America, 1apan and Turkey) and the Central Powers (Germany,
Austria-Hungary, Italy and Bulgaria)
Events of the World War I:-
1) Machine Guns, poisonous gas were introduced as new techniques of warfare.
2) The French used trench warfare on a large scale (Battle of Marne).
3) Britain, for the first time, used tanks.
4) Germany introduced U-boat or submarines
5) Both parties practiced blockades, that is, to block the supply of food,
manufactures and arms.
6) The year 1917 proved to be a turning point because on 6
th
April, USA declared a
war on Germany because Britain`s fastest Atlantic liner- carrying many
American and European passenger was struck by a U-Boat thereby sinking all
its passengers.
7) In November1917, after the Russian Revolution, Russia withdrew from the
war.Russia also proposed of peace, in 1an. 1918, Woodrow Wilson, the President
of USA proposed his 14 points peace programe. One of the proposals was to set
up an international organization for maintaining peace and security in the
world.
Results/ Consequences:-
1)Death and destruction:- (i)Nearly 9 million people were killed. (ii) Millions were
wounded, injured and disabled. (iii) Many more lost their lives in epidemics, famines
and diseases during the course of the war. (iv) The total expenditure was $ 18.6 billion.
(v) The economy of most of the European countries were shattered resulting in
unemployment and social tension.
2) Victory of democracy over autocracy:- (i) The end of the war saw the end of the
major ruling dynasties of Europe, eg.-Russia,Austria,Germany.
3) Territorial Changes:- (i) A new state of Czechoslovakia was formed out of Bohemia,
Moravia and Silesia.(ii) Yugoslavia was created . (iii) Romania and Poland were
enlarged. (iv) Out of the Russian Empire, four independent republics of Finland,
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were created.(v) Alsace and Lorraine were given back to
France.
4) Victory of Nationalism:- (i) Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Finland, Latvia and Poland
were created on the principle of nationality.
5) Emergence of USA and USSR as Superpowers:- (i) The end of the first world war also
saw the end of European supremacy. (ii) Economically and militarily , both these
nations emerged as World Powers which England has long held as Creditor of Europe.
6)Rise of Dictatorship:- (i)The Fascist ideology of Mussolini in Italy and the harsh
treatment meted out to Germany in the Treaty of Versailles finally brought the world on
the verge of the Second World War.
Treaty of Versailles:- Signed on 28
th
1une 1919 with Germany.
Provisions:- (i) Germany had to pay war indemnity of $6,50,00,00,000.
(ii) Alsace and Lorraine were to be given back to France. (iii) The coal mines of Saar
Valley in Germany were to be given to France for 15 years. (iv) German army was
reduced to 1,00,000 soldiers only. (v) The German navy was reduced and the German
High Sea Fleet was surrendered to Britain. (vi) Germany was dispossessed of all its
colonies which were divided among the victorious powers. (vii) German colonies of
South- West Africa and East Africa were given to Belgium, Portugal and South Africa.
(viii) Danzig was made a free port in the Polish territory. (ix) Germany lost some
territories to Poland, Romania and Czechoslovakia. (x) Its spheres of influence in China
were given to 1apan.
`Treaty of Saint Germain:-Allied Powers with Austria Hungary in 1919.
`Treaty of Nevilly:- Allied Powers with Bulgaria in 1919.
`Treaty of Trianon:- Allied Powers with Hungary in 1920.
`Treaty of Sevres :-Allied Powers with Turkey in 1920.
`The League of Nations:
Based on the 14 Points`proposal of Woodrow Wilson, the President Of United States, it
was set up for preservation of peace and security and peaceful settlement of
international conflicts.
`Aims and objectives:- (i) to stop wars, (ii)to encourage disarmament, (iii)to make the
world a better place by insproving people`s working conditions and by tackling diseases.
`Membership:- (i) Original membership was 42.(ii) new members required not less than
a two-thirds vote of the Assembly.
Its organs:- (i) The Assembly (ii) The Council (iii) The Secretariat (iv) The Court of
International 1ustice (v) ILO.
`Reasons for failure:- (i) Russia and Germany were not made members. (ii) It did not
have army to enforce its decisions. (iii) USA did not join it. (iv) When any country
resorted to aggression, the League either ignored it or defied it.
Rise of Fascism and Nazism:
The dictatorship that grew in Italy is referred to as
Fascism. It was led by a powerful leader Benito Mussolini.The word Fascism` is derived
from the term` fasces` which means a ~bundle of rods.Fascism sifnifies ~Unity,Strength
and Authority.Fascism was intensely nationalistic,anti-communistic and anti-
democratic movement. It is one party system controlled by a dictator, not allowing any
opposition or any personal freedom.
Causes for the rise of Fascism in Italy:-
1. Dissatisfaction with the peace treaties:- (i) Italy lost 700,000 soldiers in the war.
It was promised big territorial gains after the war. (ii) They were disappointed
with their government and its weak foreign policy.
2. Economic crisis:- (i) The prolonged war resulted in a serious economic crisis
leading to scarcity, poverty and unemployment. (ii) Thousands of young people
were deployed in the army and the industries and trade declined. (iii) The liberal
democratic government failed to cope with the economic crisis.
3. Failure of the Democratic government to cope with situation:- (i) Italy had
unified under a democratic government only in 1860. (ii) The Democratically-
elected government failed to solve post-war problems and bring stability.
4. Resistance Movement: - (i) The activities of the Socialists, Communists and other
similar groups aggravated the unrest in the country. (ii) They incited revolution
and brought Italy on the verge of anarchy. (iii) Strikes and demonstrations were
organized against industries. (iv) In rural areas, peasants ousted the landlords
and seized lands.
5. Support given by Landlords, industrialists and Army personnel to Fascism :- (i)
To satisfy their ambitions. (ii) They felt that Fascism was the only force that
could save them from the grip of the socialist movement which was opposed to
upper class aristocrats.
6. Emergence of Mussolini:- (i) Fascist Party was formed in November 1921 under
Mussolini. (ii) The Italian ruler Victor Emmanuel II invited Mussolini to form
the government on 29
th
October 1922.
Reforms introduced in Italy under Fascism:-(can be referred for Nazism too except
the last one)
(i) Mussolini promoted agriculture, trade and commerce.
(ii) Factories were set up and strikes were totally banned.
(iii) Unemployment was solved by public work programmes like bridges, roads,
canals , railways, schools,and hospitals.
(iv) Military training was compulsory. Many schools and colleges were opened
up.
(v) Treaty of Lateran recognized the Mussolini led Italian government and the
Pope was recognized as head of the Vatican and Catholicism became the
state religion.
Nazism in Germany:-
1. Humiliation Treaty of Versailles:- (i) This had shattered Germany politically
and economically and the Nazis promised to avenge the humiliation of the
German defeat. (ii) They got full support from military personnels,
industrialists and landlords who wanted to use the Nazis to crush the
communists whom they feared.
2. Failure of the Weimar Republic to solve Post-War problems:- (i) The
Weimar Republic had accepted the humiliating terms of the treaty of
Versailles which was a great deal of national shame, anger and resentment in
Germany. (ii) Germany had to pay heavy reparations, in money and in kind,
for causing the war.
3. Economic Crisis: - (i) After the war, money lost its value and
inflation,poverty, scarcity and unemployment hit the people of Germany
hard. (ii) The economic depression of 1929 forced US to withdraw the money
it had loaned to Germany. (iii) 8million that is half of the working population
of Germany were unemployed. (iv) The Nazi Party promised employment
and in return got support from them.
4. Failure of the opposition parties to pose a united opposition: - (i) Instead of
joining hands to check the growth of the Nazis, they failed to unite against
them. (ii) The election in 1932 announced the Nazi Party as the single largest
party. (iii) President Hindenburg had to change three chancellors in one year
as there were no stability in the country.
5. Support given by existing government :- (i) In 1933, Hindenburg appointed
Hitler as the Chancellor of Germany. (ii) Hitler dissolved the Reichstag
(Parliament) which was later on fired. (iii) After the death of Hindenburg,
Hitler became the President of Germany and assumed the title of Fuhrer.,
the leader of Germany.
Main features of Fascism and Nazism Or Similarities between these two:-
(i)State to have all powers. (ii) Control over education, press, radio etc. (iii) No
opposition parties allowed. (iv) Against of Communism and Liberalism. (v)
Development of agriculture and industries. (vi) Against of the Treaty of Versailles.
Differences between Nazism and Fascism:-
(i) Fascism originated in Italy and did not become as strong as Nazism in Germany. (ii)
Fascism could not create self-sufficiency or eliminating unemployment. (iii) The Nazis
were more ruthless compared to the fascists in Italy Eg. The 1ewish treatment in
Germany. (iv) Though the fascists were in absolute control of state, the monarchy still
remained in Italy whereas the Nazis had ruthlessly crushed any opposition to their rule.
`Domestic Policy of Hitler:- (i)Created National Socialist German Workers Party in
1919.in 1919.(ii) The basis of his administration was one party, one leader and strict
discipline. (iii) The Gestapo (secret Police) helped Hitler to eliminate all communist and
socialist leaders. (iv) radio, newspapers, press, magazine, books, theatre were controlled
and supervised by government agencies. (v) Hitler followed the policy of anti-Semitism
or policy of hatred towards the 1ews. (vi) Strikes were forbidden. (vii) 1ews were sent to
the concentration camps. (viii) In 1935, the 1ews were deprived of their citizenship.(ix)
Under Ghetto Laws of 1937, 1ews were not allowed to marry Germans and were forced
to live in isolation.(x) Hitler wrote Mein Kamph in jail, which contains principles, aims,
programmes of the Nazi Party.
`Foreign Policy of Hitler:- (i) Hitler started a programme of militarization and
preparation for another war. (ii) Between 1935 and 1939, Germany occupied Rhineland,
Austria and Czechoslovakia and signed Rome-Berlin- Tokyo Axis. (iii) Germany signed
Anti-Comintern Treaty with 1apan bringing world on the verge of World War II.(iv) He
conquered Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg and Belgium.
`Mussolini`s domestic and foreign policies:- (i) He tried to put Italy on a strong
economic footing by his theory of a Corporate State. (ii) Mussolini was the head of the
Ministry of Corporations. (iii) Abyssinia was annexed in 1936 to divert peoples`
attention from internal problems and economic insecurity.
The Second World War (1939-1945):-
Causes:- 1)Treaty of Versailles:- (i) Germany was forced to accept the unjust terms
of the treaty of Versailles which was not acceptable to the people like Hitler. (ii)
Hitler adopted a massive programme of militarization and war to denounce the
terms of the treaty. (iii) Italy too was not happy about the peace settlement. (iv) Italy
joined hands with Germany and 1apan to fulfill her ambitions.
2) Improper behavior of France:- (i) Germany had taken away the Valley of Saar
and the industrial zone of Ruhr in 1923 from Germany. (ii) France acted in a spirit
of revenge and was harsh.
3) Rise of Fascism and Nazism:- (i) The growth of dictatorship in Italy and Germany
was greatly responsible for turning Europe into a war camp. (ii) All the powers in
Europe secretly launched programmes of rearmament and defence.
4) Emrgence of 1apan as an imperial power:- (i) In Asia, 1apan was the first to
become industrialized and begin the policy of expansion.(ii) japan signed the Anglo-
1apanese Treaty in 1902 by which Britain recognized 1apan as equal to other
European powers. (iii) In 1904-05, 1apan defeated Korea. (iv) In 1937, it again
attacked China and signed treaties with Italy and Germany forming the Rome-
Berlin-Tokyo Axis.
5) Fear of Communism and Anti-Comintern Pact:- (i) In 1935 Comintern
(Communist International) was held which brought the communist parties of all
countries together. (ii) It prompted Germany, Italy and 1apan to sign the Anti-
Comintern Pact in 1937. (iii) Germany declared that its ambition was to conquer the
vast resources and territories of the Soviet Union.
6) Policy of Appeasement:- (i) Britain and France the policy of appeasement and
had agreed to the transfer of Sudetantland to Germany as per the Munich Pact of
1938. (ii) Hitler`s demands grew shockingly excessive and he was aiming at
European mastery.
7) Aloofness of USA:- (i) After the First World War, USA kept aloof from European
politics. (ii) USA did not join the League of Nations though the plan to establish was
of the Us President only. (iii) Us helped France to ill treat Germany. (iv) It provided
loans to Italy and Germany to strengthen their military power.
8) Race for armaments:- (i) Hitler had begun to rearm his nation in violation of the
Treaty of Versailles. (ii) Britain and France did not give any heed to it. (iii) The
democratic governments also started arming themselves.
9) Failure of League of Nations:- i) Failed to maintain peace. (ii) Did not take any
action against Italy`s aggression in Ethiopia and 1apan`s invasion on Manchuria.
10)Immediate Cause- The German invasion of Poland and Demand for the Danzig
Corridor:- (i) Hitler demanded for the Danzig Corridor for two reasons-Danzig was
inhabited mainly by the Germans and through this , they could connect East Prussia
with Germany (ii) Britain and France pledged assistance to Poland against German
aggression.(iii) In 1939, Germany signed a Non-Aggression Pact with Russia. (iv) On
1st September, 1939 German troops stormed into Poland. (v) On 3
rd
September,
Britain and France declared war on Germany. Thus the World War II began.
Events:- (i) The US entry into the war:- On 7
th
December 1941, 1apan attacked the
US Fleet based at Pearl Harbour. USA declared war on 1apan and the other Axis
powers. (ii) Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki:- On 6
th
August 1945,America
dropped the bomb on Hiroshima and on 9
th
August over Nagasaki, thereby killing
thousands of people. 1apan officially surrendered on 15
th
August 1945. With that
war came to an end.
`Hitler committed suicide on April 30, 1945.
Results/Consequences of the World War II:-
1. Death and devastation :- (i) 40 to 60 million people were killed in the war. (ii)
The European economy was shattered. (iii) The cities and industrial towns of
Germany, Russia and France were ruined.
2. Rise of Communism:- Russia under Stalin was successful in establishing
communist countries- Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania and
Czechoslovakia.
3. Cold War:- (i) US and Russia emerged as great powers in the world.
(ii)Because of the ideological differences between them , they divided the
world into two camps.
4. Creation of UNO:- (i) To avoid any future wars, UNO was created. (ii) It
emerged as the successors of the League of Nations.
5. Decolonisation and the rise of Independent Nations:- (i) European powers
were weakened by World War II (ii) Many countries like India, Myanmar
and Sri Lanka became independent.
6. Use of Nuclear Energy :- (i) Cobalt-60 and Caesium-137 which was obtained
from the atomic furnaces as ash` can be helpful in fighting Cancer. (ii)
Nuclear Energy contributed to growth in industry and agriculture.
7. Effects on Germany:- (i) Germany was partitioned into four zones, each
under the control of Britain, France, USA and Soviet Union. (ii) The Nazi
party was banned and Germany was disarmed. (iii) It led to the formation of
the Federal Republic of Germany in 1948 and the German Democratic
Republic in 1949.
8. Effects on 1apan:- (i)1apan was brought under the control and supervision
of the American General, MacArthur. (ii) With American help, 1apan made
rapid progress in industry and its economy recovered.
9. Effects on Italy:- The Communist Parties gained popularity in Italy, which
became a republic in 1946.