Second World War
SECOND WORLD WAR: Sep. 1, 1939-Sep. 2, 1945
WWII: Axis Vs Allies
The Axis Powers or Central Powers:
Germany, Italy (entered June 1940), Japan (entered Dec 1941)
The Allies or Entente Powers:
Great Britain, France, USSR (entered June 1941), USA (entered De 8, 1941), China (entered Dec 1941)etc.
The Causes of Second World War –
1. The Treaty of Versailles (1919): The treaty of Versailles had in itself the germs
of the Second World War. The Germany was very badly treated. She was forced to sign the
treaty at the point of a bayonet, in a spirit of revenge. To tear away the treaty of
Versailles, Hitler joined hands with Mussolini of Italy.
2. Nationalist Movements of Germany & Italy: The rise of the national movement in
Germany & Italy added fuel to the fire. Although Hitler tried to assure the world that he
meant peace, he could not conceal his ambition for long. He embarked on a career of
aggression which ultimately led to war. The same was the case with Mussolini who had
established his dictatorship in Italy in 1922.
3. Conflict of Ideology between Dictatorship & Democracy: Countries like Germany,
Italy & Japan represented the ideology of dictatorship while Great Britain, France & USA
represented the ideology of democracy. Mussolini described the conflict between the two
ideology thus: "The struggle between the two worlds can permit no compromise. Either we or
they'.
4. Inefficiency of League of Nations: Unfortunately, when hostility was growing
between the two camps there was no effective international organisation which could bring
the leaders of the two camps on a common platform and bring about a reconciliation between
them. The League of Nations was practically dead.
5. Colonial & Commercial Rivalry: The colonial and commercial rivalry between England
and France on one side, and Germany and Italy on the other brought them in conflict with
each other.
6. Aggressiveness of Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis: Hitler had became very aggressive. He
annexed the Saar Valley, occupied Rhineland and Austria, captured Chechoslovakia etc.
Mussolini attacked Abyssinia (Ethiopia) Japan attacked China. This aggressive mood of the
Fascist Powers got its fullest expression when they formed an Axis providing for mutual aid
in the international sphere.
Immediate Cause: The immediate cause of the war was the refuse of Poland to surender.
Germany gave an ultimatum to Poland regarding: (i) surrender the port of Dazing, (ii) the
right of establishing a rail link between Germany and East Prussia through the Polish
corridor. These two demands were rejected by Poland. of China. So Germany invaded Poland on
Sep. 1, 1939. Britain and France as they were under treaty obligations to aid Poland,
declared war against Germany on Sep. 3, 1939.
Course of War:
On one side were Germany, Italy and Japan, called the Axis Powers (or Central Powers) and on
the other were Great Britain, Francee, USSR, USA, China etc. called the Allied Powers (or
Allies).
Germany had to face defeat once again. Hitler, Goebbels & Himmler committed suicide (April
30, 1945) and their successors surrendered unconditionally on May 7, 1945. After the fall of
Germany, USA and UK concentrated their focus against Japan. On Aug. 6, 1945, an atom bomb,
Little Boy, was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. Japan was asked to surrender and when she
refused another atom bomb, ‘Fat Man’ , was dropped on Aug. 9, 1945, on the city of Nagasaki.
It is estimated that more than one lakh were killed and leaving thousands more slowly dying
of radiation poisoning. On Aug. 14, 1945, Japan conveyed its acceptance of the Allied demand
to surrender but the actual surrender took place on Sep. 2, 1945. With the Japanese
surrender, the Second World War came to an end.
Effects of WWII:
1. After about 15 months of preparatory work, the peace treaties were given a final shape by
the 21 participating countries and they were signed on Feb. 10, 1947 in Paris by the
representatives of the five enemy states and the Allied Powers. As regards Germany she was
occupied by the Big Four. After its fall in May, 1945, it was into four zones, each of which
was administered separated by one of the occupying powers. Berlin came under joint
occupation. Ultimately out of one Germany came two countries-West Germany and East Germany,
Italy was also deprived of her colonies, As regards Japan, a peace treaty was signed with
her at San Francisco in 1951.
2. The United Nation Organisation (UNO) was established in Oct. 24, 1945.
3. The USA and USSR emerged as the two most powerful nations in the world.
4. The emergence of Russia (USSR) gave rise to the desire for freedom in coloniesunder
European control in Asia.
5. The British empire thus rapidly lost its leadership as more and more colonies won
independence.
6. France also lost much of their past glory.
7. Nearly all the East European countries embraced communism and communist rule was
established in the Chinese mainland also.
