GEN 158 IR~MB/AB

Introduction to the 20th

century’s Major developments
and WWII
 Introduction:
In order to understand in a better way not just the
second world war but to every development, incident
and issue in this particular period, one must have a
look on the changing socio-economic and political
landscape and all the developments which were taking
place at that time. Now firstly look at the following
developments became highly apparent on the surface
soon after the end of WWI and secondly, we will be
discussing about the WWII, causes, major
developments paved the way to the war, how war
came to an end and what sort of impacts it left behind
 For closer contacts and interdependence between
political communities or states permanent institutions
began to be established such IGO’s and NGO’s.
Rapid Growth of trade and finance.
Advancement in technology, communication and
transport .
Period of confrontation, agitation and wars among
the superpowers due to several reasons.
Decline of colonial empire as many colonies got
independence from the European clutches.
Rise of U.S and Soviet Union replacing European
powers.
 The transition from a multipolar to a bipolar
international system after 1945: a society with three or
more great powers is multipolar, a society with two
great powers is bipolar.
- A transition from a world of empires to a world of
states.
 World War II
- World War II is also called as Second World War or global
war that involved virtually every part of the world during
the years 1939–45.
- The war was in many respects a continuation of WWI and
due to a many disputes unsettled by it.

The principal belligerents

Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan
Allied Powers: France, Great Britain, the United States and
the Soviet Union
 Long Standing Causes
Militarism: Militarism means glorifying military power or
the desire of keeping a large standing army. Militarism is
also standing for a belief or the desire of a government or a
people that a state should maintain a strong military
capability and to use it aggressively to expand national
interests and/or values.
It was also the major cause for the breakout of WWII. Soon
after the first world war, Japan eagerly appeared to raise its
military might and unstoppably took part in the race of
militarism. It became a serious threat to the integrity and
global peace as was Germany in the first world war.
 Long Standing Causes
Imperialism: It means getting involved politically and
economically in other countries in order to gain wealth and
power and promote their interests.
Great Britain and France were the only European countries
which pursued the policy of imperialism. But now, Germany
and Japan seemed to be the most dominant player of this
game. If we look at the pre-war events, both started
occupying many European territories. This desire for a
greater empire led to an increase in confrontation that helped
push the world into WWII.
 Long Standing Causes
Politics of Alliances: Politics of Alliances also played a
very significant role in the eruption of second world war.
The end of first world war did not provide a ground to be
avoided this style of politics. The changed socio-economic
and political condition of the Europe, prior to the second
world war, pushed the European powers to foster overt or
covert alliances as it was seemed prior to the first world war.
This time, the principal belligerents were the Axis powers—
Germany, Italy, and Japan later joined by Hungary, Bulgaria
and Romania and the Allied Powers—France, Great Britain,
the United States and the Soviet Union.
 Long Standing Causes
Nationalism: It means the feeling that specific nation,
language or culture is superior to all others. This sense of
superiority was highly dominant if we critically evaluate the
personality analysis of Adolf Hitler. He had a rhetoric power
and knew the weaknesses of his nation. He used this tool to
reorganize his scattered dead German nation. It was the
nationalism that brought Hitler into power who later proved
to be the most important cause behind the eruption of
second world war.
 Some other Causes
The unjust policies of Treaty of Versailles: The treaty of
Versailles shows that the victorious Allies imposed serious
penalties on the Germans who were in no position to object.
Huge indemnities were imposed, and their colonies were
taken away from them. This created a sense of hatred in the
minds of German people and fueled resentment for unjust or
discriminatory attitude. This situation cashed by Adolf Hitler
who came into power to take revenge from the victorious
powers.
 Some other Causes
Failure of the League of Nations: President Wilson of
the United States really did intend that the war should be the
war to end wars. For this purpose, he pushed strongly for an
international body, consisting of the major states, which
would be a forum for discussion and the prevention of war
and that was a League of Nations. Wilson was its prime
advocate, the United States Congress refused to join, which
in itself was a serious blow to the League's credibility and
unfortunately it failed to prevent the world from the second
world war.
 Some other Causes
Role of Right-Wing Nationalists: From immediately
after the First World War, right-wing nationalists, resentful
at the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, organized and
prospered in the context of poverty and international
humiliation. The Nazi party under Adolf Hitler became
dominant amongst the nationalist right and in 1933, despite
mixed electoral success, came to power to take the revenge
whatever did by the victorious powers.
 Some other Causes
German’s sense of superiority: The Nazis being
Germans (who followed the doctrine of Hitler)
believed in a doctrine of the superiority of the white
Anglo-Saxons over everyone else and this doctrine
provided a pretext to Hitler to rule all over the world
and expel Jewish community from the Germany
because he used to think that they are impure people,
and we need to get rid of these people
 Some other Causes
Rise of dictatorship in Italy and Germany: The
dictatorship of the Fascist party, under the leadership of
Mussolini, was established in Italy in 1922. The dictatorship
of the Nazi party was established in Germany after Hitler
came to power in 1933.
Failure of Disarmament: The task of preparing a plan for
reduction of armaments was
entrusted to the League of Nation. No success could be
achieved in this area. Many commissions were appointed to
achieve this task but could not succeed,
 Some other Causes
Policy of Appeasement: England and France ignored the acts of
aggression by
Germany and Italy and succumbed to their pressure.
Immediate cause:
• Invasion of Poland by Germany on 1st September 1939 which became
the immediate cause behind the eruption of second world war.
Turning point during War:
In 1941, two development took place or major mistakes committed by
Germany and Japan which changed the whole scenario and provided a
sense of relief to Britain and France to reorganize themselves to push
back the Axis powers. One is the attempt to invade Russia by Germany
and the other one is the attack on Pearl Harbor, an American port, by
Japan.
 How war came to an end
The Second World War ended with the dropping of two
atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. On 29th April 1945 Germany and on 15th August
1945 Japan surrendered to the Allied Powers and this way
war came to an end.
Criticism: