Second World War (1939-

1945)
Causes of the Second World War
Objective:
• To analyze the causes of the second world war.
• How the various events lead to the culmination of the second world
war
• What is the major reason for the second world war.
• The immediate cause of the second world war.
 The Treaty of Versailles
• The Treaty of Versailles signed on 28 June 1919 bought an official end to World War I. But at the very
outset, it became evident that a harsh peace would be imposed upon the defeated. France, in order to
protect itself from a future German attack, put forth the demands of reparations, demilitarization of
the Rhineland region and the ‘War Guilt Clause’ which put the blame of starting the war squarely on
Germany’s shoulders.

• It was French revenge, nursed from the days of its defeat during the Franco Prussian War of 1871, that
led to the imposition of such harsh terms. The resulting war had also led to the unification of
Germany, which was proclaimed in the very halls of the Versailles, which added insult to injury.

• The German people were outraged that they were to be held responsible for the conflict. Instead of
working out an agreement that would bring peace, the victors were only content with humiliating
them. The demilitarization of the military, the loss of territory and the preposterous amount of
reparation to be paid were akin to rubbing salt on an open wound.

• The Weimar government that came to power in Germany had no other choice but to accept the
humiliating peace terms. This only labelled them as ‘criminals and traitors’ in the eyes of the German
people. In order to repay the massive reparations, the Weimar Republic began to print the German
currency in huge numbers. This led to its devaluation and inflation on a massive scale and near
collapse of the already fragile economy. Fed up with the mismanagement of its own government, the
German people began to support anyone who would reverse the humiliation that was heaped upon
them. It was at this time when Hitler and his Nazi party would emerge with such a promise.
L0: To analyze the causes of the second world war.
Rise of Nazism

• The wave of resentment over the perceived injustices of the Treaty of

Versailles was fully exploited by Hitler and his Nazi Party. Capitalizing on the
dent made towards German pride. Hitler promised to undo wrongs of the
Versailles Treaty. Added to this was the “us versus them” rhetoric. In this
case, the ‘us’ were the Aryan race, while the ‘them’ were the Slavic Eastern
Europeans.
• The list of ‘them’ also included Jews, Communist, Gypsies and others who
did not fit the Nazi definition of an Aryan. The Jews were blamed by the Nazis
for the defeat in World War I and all the economic hardship that followed was
a ‘conspiracy’ that had weakened Germany.
• This rhetoric would have serious consequences for the Jewish populations of
Europe and Germany
L0: To analyze the causes of the second world war.
 Economic Hardship
• The harsh sanctions placed on Germany as per the Versailles Treaty only
bought hardship for the German people. The great depression of the
late 1920s further exacerbated the problem with the price of essential
items hitting through the root hyperinflation caused the many essential
items such as bread to become more expensive than they already had
been, fueling much resentment against the fragile Weimar Republic.

• The Ruhr valley was one of the most industrialized regions of Germany
at the time. In order to claim war indemnities promised, France invaded
the Ruhr valley and occupied it. This hurt German pride to such an
extent that they were willing to support any party or leader who would
avenge the humiliation heaped upon them. It was fertile ground for
Hitler and his Nazi party to rise in power.

L0: To analyze the causes of the second world war.

Failure of the League of Nations
• The League of Nations (dissolved on April 20, 1946) was founded following the end of World War I in 1919.
It was envisioned as an international body that would prevent conflicts between member nations from
breaking out and disputes to be settled with diplomatic means. But to enforce and uphold its mandate, the
League of Nations had no army of its own to do it. It had to rely on economic sanctions and armies of the
member nations to uphold its directives.
• Although US President Woodrow Wilson was an enthusiastic supporter of the league, he had to withdraw in
the light of furious opposition from the more isolationist faction of the US Congress, a faction that had no
interest in being involved with the politics of distant Europe.
• The lack of participation from the United States lessened power and credibility of the United States—the
addition of a burgeoning industrial and military world power such as the United States might have added
more force behind the League’s demands and requests.
• As such the League of Nations was powerless to stop the Japanese invasion of China and the German
invasion of Czechoslovakia. Due to the lack of response from the league, Imperial Japan, Nazi Germany and
Fascist Italy would form an alliance of their own to begin to continue their own expansionist policy, setting
the stage for a new world war.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-7DfymgdDc
L0: To analyze the causes of the second world war.
Failure of Appeasement

• Appeasement: making concessions to avoid conflict.

• The Nazis embarked on a massive re-armament program despite the Versailles Treaty forbidding
such a venture. Lack of protest or sanctions only sped up the process. A new air force, the
Luftwaffe, was formed, the Germany navy was expanded and conscription was introduced.
• Another violation of the Treaty occurred when German troops took the Rhineland in March 1936.
These events only boosted Hitler’s image domestically and provided much-needed employment.
Buoyed by his success, Hitler decided to push his luck regarding foreign appeasement
• Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister believed that appeasement was the only way to
avoid a conflict. When claims on Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia were made, he readily agreed
signed the Munich Agreement (1938).
• But the complete subjugation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 turned public opinion in the rest
of Europe against Hitler. Neville Chamberlain finally realised that Hitler would not stop with a
concession here or there.

L0: To analyze the causes of the second world war.

 Invasion of Poland- Immediate Cause
It was well known that Hitler would also claim
Prussia and the Courland Peninsula on the same
grounds he had claimed Sudetenland – it was
populated by a majority of ethnic Germans. The
problem was, Prussia was in the middle of Polish
territory. Historically Hitler had already
denounced the right of Poland to independence
in 1930, writing that Poles and Czechs were a
"rabble not worth a penny more than the
inhabitants of Sudan or India. How can they
demand the rights of independent states?“ Both
France and Britain guaranteed their sovereignty.
Which is why when Germany invaded Poland in
September 1939, France and Britain declared
war, sparking World War II in earnest.
L0: To analyze the causes of the second world war.
https://library.norwood.vic.edu.au/c.php?g=943798&p=6893111
Activity- Debate
Could World War 2 have been prevented?

Is Hitler and the Nazis solely to blame for World War II?
Course of the War- Objectives
• To know about the timeline of the various wars and events of the
second world war.
• To analyse how was it different from the first war.
• To know about the various personalities and nations that were major
participants of the world war.
 Course of the Second World War
• Sept. 1, 1939:
Germany invades Poland, marking what many regard as the start of the war, though Japan invaded China on July 7, 1937. Two days
later, France and the United Kingdom declare war on Germany.
• April 9 to June 22, 1940:
Germany takes control of much of Western Europe, including France.
• July 10, 1940:
Germany launches an air war, known as the Battle of Britain, against the United Kingdom.
• Sept. 22, 1940:
Germany, Italy and Japan sign the Tripartite Pact.
• 1941-42: Hitler invades Russia. Hitler suffers defeat in the battle of Stalingrad.
• Dec. 7, 1941:
Japan’s naval air force attacks military bases at Pearl Harbor on Oahu Island, Hawaii.
• Dec. 8, 1941:
The United States declares war against Japan.
• Dec. 11, 1941:
The United States declares war on Germany and Italy.
• June 4 to 7, 1942:
The U.S. Navy defeats the Japanese navy at the Battle of Midway.
• July 9, 1942:
Allied forces invade Sicily.
• Sept. 8, 1943:
Italy surrenders to the Allies, but German forces occupy northern Italy
Course of the Second World War
• June 6, 1944:
Allied forces land on the beaches of Normandy, France, marking D-Day.
• Aug. 25, 1944:
Allies take control of Paris.
• Dec. 16, 1944:
Germans counterattack in northern France, Belgium and Luxembourg, known as the Battle of the Bulge.
• Feb. 19, 1945:
U.S. Marines land on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.
• March 22, 1945:
The U.S. 3rd Army crosses the Rhine River in Germany.
• April 1, 1945:
U.S. soldiers and Marines invade Okinawa, Japan.
• April 25, 1945:
The Soviet army encircles Berlin and links up with the Americans on the Elbe River.
• May 8, 1945:
Germany surrenders to the Allies, marking V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day).
• Aug. 6, 1945:
The U.S. drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
• Aug. 9, 1945:
The U.S. drops an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan.
• Sept. 2, 1945:
Japan formally surrenders to the Allies, marking V-J (Victory over Japan) Day, although the initial announcement of
Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ8m5R76COo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wxWNAM8Cso
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV_1z5FOCvA
Images
Objectives for Consequences
• To analyse how the end of world war led to decolonization
• The learners will know about the beginning of cold war and its effects
• To know about the establishment and function of the UNO
• To analyse the difference between the League of Nation and UNO
 Consequences of Second World War
• Formation of the United Nations Organisation and other institutions: UN was formed after the end of the war
with the focus on preserving world peace, respect for human rights, maintaining international law and social
progress across all countries.
• The start of the Cold War- The world got divided into two political camps one led by the Communist USSR and
the other by Capitalist leader America. The USSR had gained prestige after it built its post war economy and
helped eastern European countries and China rebuild their economies as well.
• New World Order- Post the war the world saw changes in the status of countries. Many colonies got freedom
from their colonial masters and others such as Russian and Turkish empires broke.
• Division of Germany- At the end of the war, Germany was divided into two parts; The Eastern German
Democratic Republic (GDR) which went under USSR’s authority and the western Federal Republic of Germany
(FRG) which went under the supervision of the allied forces.
• The Marshall Plan- US and the allied powers produced the Marshall plan to help the defeated countries revive
their economies in both Japan and Germany.
• Destruction
• Loss of Life
• Decolonization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haFAdMI2Kkw