World War II
The harsh term 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 ignore the treaty
of Versailles and take revenge for Germany's defeat in WW I. He also re-armed Germany and
increased the numbers in the German forces.
Meanwhile, dictators in Europe were actively asserting their power; Mussolini and his Fascist
party in Italy, Stalin and Communism in Russia, and Franco in Spain become 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 and then Albania. Spain was involved in a civil
war in which Hitler and Mussolini gave armed support to nationalists. In the East, Japan invaded
China in 1937, killing thousands, and then Mongolia in 1938, but it was met with tough
resistance form 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 1st September 1939,
Germany invaded Poland. On 3rd September Britain and France declared war on Germany.
World War II had begun.
World War II was even more destructive then World War I with fighting taking place in Europe,
Asia and Africa. The main players were Germany, Japan, and Italy who formed and alliance
known as Axis. The countries that faced them in battle and came to be known as the Allies and
we're Britain, France, Russia, China, and the USA. Nearly fifty other nations 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 and it's harsh terms. Germany
could not afford to pay for the WW 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 power 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 WW II:
Germany attacked on Poland on 1st 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 to halt the advance of the axis
forces in North Africa, France, Soviet Union, and the Pacific, with Italy and France being invaded
and liberated by 1944.
The surprise attack by the Japanese on the US navel base, Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, on 7th
December 1941, drew the USA into WWII. The United States used newly invented atomic bomb
to wipe out the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, which led to Japan's
surrender. This was the first and only use of atomic weapons in WW II.
In 1945, allied forces drove into Germany form the East and the west. Germany surrendered on
May 1945, with Adolf Hitler commiting suicide in his bunker in Berlin.
Indian Involvement in WW II:
In 1939, the British Viceroy, lord Linlithgow declared India's entry into the war. This decision
was taken without consulting prominent Indian Congress leaders 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 form British
rule which they said was similar to Nazism and Fascism, and refused to align with Britain's fight
against the Axis powers until India was granted independence.
Nevertheless, 2.5 million Indian troops took part in WW 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 territory was halted by Indian soilders. These forces included tanks, artillery and
airborne forces. Indian soilders earned 30 Victoria crosses, Britain's highest award for bravery,
during world War II.
Britain's Relations with the Congress and Muslim League During WWII:
Quaid e Azam had termed the resignation of the congress government as a 'Day of Deliverance'
from Hindu oppression. During WW II, the Muslim League came closer to the British. The Quaid
held several meetings with the Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow, and assured him of Muslim support for
the British war efforts, thus earning the goodwill 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 1941when the treaty 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 Ghandi and Nehru were again
imprisoned and we're not released till WW II was finally over by the end of August 1945.
The Consequences of World War II:
The effects of World War II 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 civilians. 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' i.e. unfriendly ties
without armed conflict.
Communism and Capitalism:
The politicians in the USA had a different belief system on which their government was based.
This was the capitalist system which gave individuals and businesses the ownership of the
means of production and the right to produce and profit. This economic system combined with
democracy also gave people the right of free speech and free Enterprise i.e. to invest in a
business for profit. The democratic way of life was precious to the American people and they
took it upon themselves to uphold freedom and democracy in other countries as well. The USA
aimed to contain Communism from spreading to other countries; the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) was formed to defend democratic values, and the Marshall Plan was
formed to financially help European states affected by World War II to recover economically
and adopt Capitalism and free trade.
Capitalism:
People can make as much money as they like. Factories and other properties should be owned
by individuals or companies. The government should interfere as little as possible in the lives of
people. At elections, people should choose whoever they want as leaders. The press should be
free to criticize 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 properties 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 criticize the government. The communist's disregard
religion as having any role in government and discourage it.
Power Shifts: The World After WWII:
In the aftermath of WW II l, Europe lost its supremacy in world leadership and the USA and
USSR became the two superpowers, each with nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the imperialist
countries, weakened by the war, could no longer hold on to their colonies which gradually
gained independence.
Both the USA and USSR tried to establish their presence by supporting progress and
development in their areas of influence. The Marshall Plan was one such effort by the US in
war-torn countries. Rapid industrialization took place, particularly in Asia; new inventions and
developments during the war such as jet engines for planes, radar, electronics, and nuclear
power came to be used in transport, communication, and the production of energy. Further
developments in television, radio, antibiotics, computers, helicopters, and rockets led to space
exploration and satellites.
The League of Nations:
The devastation caused by the World War I led to the formation of an international body that
would keep world peace and prevent another war. The idea was promoted by the US President
Woodrow Wilson, who came up with a 19-point agenda for peacekeeping. Forty-two nations
joined the League of Nations and Geneva in Switzerland was chosen as the headquarters; the
number of countries later increased to fifty-eigh. However, the League which existed form 1920
to 1946 became ineffective as it could not prevent World War II as it did not have any military
capability and could use only economic sanctions.
Furthermore, the USA was not a member of the League as it's Senate did not ratify the League's
charter, and Britain and France, economically weakened by WWI, could not provide military
support. In the field of humanitarian aid, the League was able to take care of world health
issues, look after refugees, establish a permanent Court of International Justice, and promote
cultural preservation and scientific development. The League of Nations was dissolved in 1946
when the United Nations came into being after WWII. The League's shortcomings were
addressed and it's political goals achieved by the UN's.
The United Nations:
The United Nations came into being on 24 October 1945, after World War II to keep peace in
the world. Nearly all countries joined the United Nations so that war, especially with nuclear
weapons, could be avoided. The United Nations Headquarters are in New York City, USA.
The main bodies of the United Nations are:
The General Assembly
The Security Council
The Secretariat
The Economic and Social Council
The International Court of Justice
The General Assembly is the main body and had 193 member countries, each of which has one
vote, regardless of it's size and population.
The Security Council is the most powerful body with live permanent members: USA, France, UK,
Russia, and China. And 15 other members are elected for two years by the General Assembly.
The Security Council and the General Assembly are the decision makers, but the other officials
are civil servants that run the United Nations make up the Secretariat and has the most
important job in the United Nations.
Under the Economic and Social Council, UNESCO, and UNICEF, help the developing world to
improve their facilities regarding health, education, and poverty.
The International Court of Justice is based in The Hague in the Netherlands; it's function is to
settle disputes between countries. The Court comprises 15 judges elected by the Security
Council and General Assembly.
In 1947, MR.Jinnah made independent Pakistan a member of the United Nations. In the 1948
war in Kashmir, the United Nations intervened and a ceasefire was established. It was decided
by the United Nations that a plebiscite be held in Kashmir to decide whether kashmiris wished
to be the part of Pakistan or India. So far the plebiscite has not taken place and India has kept a
large military force in Kashmir since then. The United Nations Military Observer Group in India
and Pakistan is there for peacekeeping purposes.
The Cold War:
The two superpowers, the USA and USSR, entered into a confrontation to create spheres of
influence for their doctrines of capitalism and communism. Many countries, including China,
adopted Communism as an ideology, and most countries of the world began to side with either
superpower: Communism countries sided with Russia and capitalist countries with USA. This
hostility came to be called the 'Cold War', which meant that without armed conflict both
superpowers tried to curtail the influence of the other.
In two cases, however, actual war Did take place. The first war was over Vietnam where the
USA tried, by sending in it's forces, to halt the takeover of that country by the Communists.
However, North Vietnam, supported by its Communist allies, won the war with the fall of
Saigon in 1975.
After Vietnam War, there was a period of 'dètente' when relationships between the two
superpowers improved even though both the USA and USSR built more sophisticated weapons
and more destructive nuclear bombs. The leaders of the two superpowers began to talk at
summit meetings and the arms race slowed down. It seemed that the Cold War was beginning
to thaw.
The second war took place with the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 to support the
communist government that replaced the republic. USA supplied arms and ammunition to the
Mujahideen who wished to liberate Afghanistan form USSR. It took eight years of war until
finally the USSR had to retreat form Afghanistan. This also led to the breakup of the USSR in
1989. However, the conflict that turned into a civil war, continues to the present times,
aggravated by the events and consequences of the 9/11 incident in the USA.
