The Second World War

Question 1

Causes of Second World war

Answer 1

1) Dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles
2) Rise of Fascism and Nazism
3) Japanese invasion of China
4) Failure of the League of Nations
5) Hitler’s invasion of Poland

Question 2

Dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles

Answer 2

1) annexation of German territories - bitterness and conflict
2) Treaty based on the spirit of revenge and Germany was forced to sign it - 4 examples - German colonies were forcibly take, division (into 2) for benefit of Poland, unpayable war indemnity, reduction of military power
3) Humiliation gave rise revenge -
4) looked for an opportunity to do away with treaty - only possible with armaments and aggressive policies

Question 3

Fascism in Italy

Answer 3

1) Italy wanted to revive the glory of the Old Roman Empire
2) Anti-Comintern Pact in 1937 and 10 years alliance with Germany in 1939 to strengthen their position
3) Mussolini established dictatorship and opposed Treaty of Versailles
4) Attacked Abyssinia - League failed to take action exhibiting its weakness

Question 4

Nazism

Answer 4

1) Hitler wanted to reestablish Germany’s prestige
2) Flouted military causes in treaty - declared re-armament
3) Annexed Austria and dismembered Czechoslovakia

Question 5

Japanese Invasion of China

Answer 5

1) Japan’s ambitions rose after the First World War
2) Determined to dominate the Far East - intervened in Manchuria despite League’s opposition
3) Undeclared war against China - China appealed to the League to place sanctions on Japan but the League did not pay any attention
4) Joined Berlin-Rome Axis - Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis
5) Left League of Nations - occupied British and American properties in China

Question 6

Failure of League of Nations

Answer 6

1) USA did not join and participant nations also not interested in collective security - did nothing when Poland with France’s support seized part of Lithuania
2) Ignored or defied in every crisis - authority flouted by Japan when it seized Manchuria
3) Inadequate coercive machinery
4) Futility of economic sanctions against a determined aggressor - members were also unwilling to apply sanctions as it affected their economy too
5) Failed to maintain international peace - European countries lost faith in its usefulness

Question 7

Hitler’s invasion of Poland

Answer 7

1) Division of Germany gave Poland a land-route upto the sea and the Port of Danzig was given to Poland - Germany wanted to regain this lost territory
2) City of Danzig mainly inhabited by Germans - by occupying the Danzig Corridor they could connect with East Prussia
3) Germany signed a Non-Agression Pact with Russia - Poland accused of atrocities against Germans there

Question 8

Events in Invasion of Poland (Continuation)

Answer 8

1) German armies marched into Poland on 1st September 1939 - completed conquest of Poland within 3 weeks to ensure no aid reached it
2) France and Britain gave Germany an ultimatum - Germany attacked France in response
3) Britain and France declared war on 3rd September
4) Little actual fighting for many months after war declaration - hence September 1939 - April 1940 was a dormant period