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PinkMonkey Online Study Guide-World History
15.5 Points To Remember
Causes of World War II
The absolute aggression unleashed by dictators
such as Mussolini, Hitler, General Franco led to building up
of international strife.
The Treaty of Versailles was not enforced
by the Allies, hence Germany disregarded it.
Efforts of disarmament failed miserably
as "security first, disarmament afterwards" became
the slogan of most of the countries in Europe.
Hitler sparked off the war by invading
such territories as Austria, Sudetland and Poland under the
pretext that its nationalism is endangered.
The member nations lost faith in the League
of Nations as an international authority, so that the nations
sought war as the only means to settle mutual disputes.
Course of World War II
Hitler attacked Poland on September 1,
1939.
England and France retaliated by declaring
war on Germany.
Russia began invading neighboring countries.
After invading insignificant states like
Holland and Denmark, Germany invaded and captured France.
Britain confronted the Axis powers alone.
The Anglo Russian pact was signed against
Germany.
The U.S.A. entered the war when Japan attacked
the Pearl Harbor in 1940. The U.S.A., Britain and Russia were
pitted against Germany, Italy and Japan.
Italy surrendered unconditionally in 1943.
Germany did the same after it was defeated
by the Allies in 1945, and Hitler committed suicide.
Japan surrendered after the two atom bombs
Hiroshima and Nagasaki were dropped on the country.
Consequences of World War II
It resulted in mass destruction of life
and property. Both the victors and the vanquished emerged with
huge losses. The war proved how it was possible to wipe out
the human race from the face of the earth.
Each of the vanquished countries was faced
with humiliating peace terms. Germany was divided into four
parts, each to be placed under different Allied countries. The
size of Italy was greatly reduced as a substantial part of the
territories were taken over by the victors. General Mac Arthur
was given the command of Japan.
The British Empire crumbled, as most of
the colonies gained independence. Thus new nation states were
born.
The U.S.A. emerged
as a major super power. It was the only country to have made
maximum profits during the war.
The USSR emerged as another super power.
Most major countries of the world were
left divided into two diametrically opposite blocs: the Capitalist
and the Communist bloc.
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Index
15.0 - Introduction
15.1 - Causes of World WarII
15.2 - Cours of World WarII
15.3 - Consequences of World WarII
15.4 - Dates & Events
15.5 - Points to Remember
Chapter 16
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