The Second World War (1939-45)

The germs of second World War were to be found in:

1. Defeat of Germany
2. The peace treaties
3. Treaty of Versailles
4. Rise of Hitler

Answer

Treaty of Versailles

Germany, Italy, and Japan comprised:

1. Central powers
2. Allies
3. Axis powers
4. Triple Alliance

Answer

Axis powers

One of the reasons for the failure of the League of Nations was:

1. India was not a member
2. Italy was its member
3. US did not join it
4. Its aim was to maintain peace

Answer

US did not join it

Hitler invaded Poland in:

1. 1938
2. 1939
3. 1940
4. 1914

Answer

1939

Japan : Manchuria, Italy:

1. Rome
2. Venice
3. Abyssinia
4. Pearl harbour

Answer

Abyssinia

Which statement is not correct?

1. Hitler was a supporter of Racial discrimination
2. Axis power were a rival group of Allies
3. Germany was not humiliated after the First World War
4. German army was reduced after the first World War

Answer

Germany was not humiliated after the First World War

Pick the odd one out.

1. Germany was not allowed air force and submarines after the first World War
2. Germany was to demilitarize the Rhine valley after the first World War
3. She had to pay no fine after the first World War
4. Germany was to limit its Army after the first World War

Answer

She had to pay no fine after the first World War

The reason for Hitler's invasion of Poland:

1. To regain the lost territories
2. To connect to East Prussia
3. Poland was accused of committing atrocities against Germans
4. All of the above

Answer

All of the above

Which of the following was Not a cause of the Second World War?

1. Japanese invasion of China
2. Treaty of Versailles
3. Sarajevo crisis
4. Invasion of Poland by Germany

Answer

Sarajevo crisis

The immediate cause of the Second World War was:

1. Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
2. Attack on Pearl Harbour
3. Invasion of Poland
4. Treaty of Versailles

Answer

Invasion of Poland

What was the duration of the Second World War?

1. 1914-1918
2. 1939-1945
3. 1937-1945
4. 1930-1945

Answer

1939-1945

Why did USA join the Second World War?

1. USA was against Hitler
2. Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbour
3. USA was against dictatorship
4. USA wanted to halt advances of Axis Powers

Answer

Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbour

Who won the Second World War?

1. Allies
2. Axis powers
3. Japan
4. USA

Answer

Allies

How was the rise of Nazism in Germany responsible for the Second World War?

Answer

The democratic government of Germany could not solve many of its problems. So the Nazi Party easily progressed under the leadership of Hitler by 1934. He rejected the Treaty of Versailles and increased his military power. He fortified the Rhineland and annexed Austria, Sudetenland and Czechoslovakia, etc. into his own empire. He wanted to regain the old glory and prestige of Germany and make it a world power. In order to achieve its objectives the Nazi Party followed the path of war.

How did the rise of Fascism in Italy lead to the Second World War?

Answer

Italy joined the Allies in the First World War with high hopes but she was not satisfied with the territories she gained. Consequently, dictatorship was established there under the leadership of Mussolini. He introduced many reforms and put a new life in the people of Italy by giving military training to them. He wanted to revive the glory of the Old Roman Empire. Italy adopted an aggressive policy and captured Abyssinia and Albania. His policies gave a severe blow to the League of Nations and created an atmosphere of hostility in the world.

Which parties or countries formed the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis?

Answer

Italy, Germany, and Japan formed the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis.

How did America's aloofness from European politics contributed to the Second World War?

Answer

After the First World War America kept aloof from the European politics and did not join the League of Nations. As a result England all alone could not prevent France from ill-treating Germany. Germany could never forget the humiliation she had to suffer at the hands of France and plunged the whole world once again into darkness. American aloofness helped the military rulers of Germany and Italy to adopt violent and aggressive attitude and they ignored the League of Nations very easily.

What was the immediate cause of the Second World War?

Answer

The immediate cause of the Second World War was Hitler's Invasion of Poland in 1939.

Name any three countries of the Allied Powers.

Answer

Three countries of the Allied Powers were:

1. England
2. France
3. America

Name any three countries of the Axis Powers.

Answer

Three countries of the Axis Powers were:

1. Germany
2. Italy
3. Japan

Mention any two consequences of the Second World War.

Answer

Two consequences of the Second World War are:

1. United Nations Organisation (UNO) was established in 1945 to maintain peace all over the world.
2. The British Empire broke up and England lost the leadership of the world. American and Russian influence began to increase and the world was divided into two blocs —
   1. The Democratic and Capitalist Bloc under the leadership of America.
   2. The Communist Bloc under the leadership of Russia.

Name the two powers which became superpowers soon after the Second World War.

Answer

The two superpowers that emerged soon after the Second World War were:

1. United States of America (USA)
2. Soviet Union (USSR)

How was the world divided into two blocs after the Second World War?

Answer

The world was divided into two blocs after the Second World War —

1. The Democratic and Capitalist Bloc under the leadership of America.
2. The Communist Bloc under the leadership of Russia.

America tried to maintain her influence by giving economic aid to different countries and on the other hand Russia also tried to influence many countries by spreading the Communist ideology. Russia had great influence in the Eastern Europe, China and South-East Asia while the democratic ideology had its influence on the Southern European countries and many Arabian and African countries.

When United Nations Organisation established?

Answer

The United Nations Organisation (UNO) was established on 24th October 1945.

With reference to the causes of the Second World War, explain the following :

(a) Unjust Treaty of Versailles.

(b) Clash of imperialistic interests.

(c) Weakening of the League of Nations.

Answer

(a) The Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany was very harsh.

1. The defeated nations, especially Germany had to cede many of her territories, and all her colonies were forcibly taken away from her.
2. Germany was divided into two parts for the benefit of Poland.
3. She was burdened with huge war-indemnity which she could never pay.
4. Her military power was considerably reduced.

This harsh treaty created hatred in the minds of the Germans. It was a black spot for the Germans and they wanted to wash it away. This could never be done without armament and as such war became quite inevitable.

(b) The clash between the rising Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) and the existing colonial powers ultimately contributed to the outbreak of World War II.

1. In 1931, Japan attacked China and seized Manchuria. Many Chinese cities fell into the hands of the Japanese.
2. Italy captured Abyssinia and Albania.
3. Germany wanted to regain its lost territories (especially Danzig and Prussia). Hitler invaded Poland in September 1939.
4. Germany signed a Mutual Non-Aggression Pact with the Soviet Union in August 1939. Both countries agreed to divide Poland and the USSR would get Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania.
5. On 10 May 1940, Germany invaded Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. Paris was occupied on 14 June 1940.
6. By June 1941, Germany and Italy had conquered all of Europe, except Britain and the Soviet Union.
7. During the Second World War, Japan joined the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis and entered the war in 1941 to gain more territories.
8. Japan expanded in Asia while Germany and Italy expanded in Eastern Europe and Africa.

(c) League of Nations was set up to maintain peace in the world and to prevent wars. However, it couldn't check the rise of dictatorship and aggressive nationalism in Germany and Italy. When Germany, Italy, and Japan started acquiring colonies, the League of Nations could not take any action against them due to lack of military power, so the member-nations lost their faith in the League and started preparing for the war on a large scale.

With reference to the results of the Second World War, explain the following :

(a) Effects of the Second World War on Japan.

(b) Effects of the Second World War on Britain and France.

(c) Effects of the Second World War on Germany.

Answer

(a) Japan faced the following consequences after events of the Second World War:

1. Due to nuclear bombing on its cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan faced heavy loss of people and resources.
2. The Japanese Emperor was deprived of his power and prestige. The American General, McArthur, was given complete control of Japan. He established a limited monarchy there.
3. Japan was deprived of its conquests and colonies, and its military power was reduced.
4. It was forced to pay heavy war indemnity.

(b) Britain and France faced the following consequences after events of the Second World War:

1. England and France became weaker than before. They no longer remained very powerful countries in the world.
2. The economic loss suffered by England made her a second-rate power in Europe.
3. France witnessed political instability.

(c) Germany faced the following consequences after events of the Second World War:

1. Germany became very weak and was divided into two parts. Russia took control over the eastern part while England, France and America occupied the western part.
2. The German capital Berlin was also divided into two parts.
3. Millions of German people, both civilian and military, had been killed during the war.
4. The German army was reduced and all her war material was snatched away from her.
5. The Allies tried the war criminals and some stalwarts of the Nazi Party were executed. It brought about the end of Nazism in Germany.

With reference to the effects of the Second World War, explain the following :

(a) Cold war and the Berlin Blocade.

(b) United Nations organisation

Answer

(a) Cold War is defined as an atmosphere when there is no armed struggle, but the rivals continue to maintain their peace time diplomatic relations along with their hostility. This was the situation between the USA and the Soviet Union due to old suspicion and ideological differences.

Berlin Blockade — Germany's capital Berlin was divided into four sectors. Soon the sectors assigned to the British, American and French joined together to form the West Berlin thereby leaving the eastern part all alone under Russia. This was much resented by Russia.

Soon the Soviet authorities established a blockade on all land and water communications between West Berlin and West Germany. This blockade continued nearly about a year from June 1948 to May 11, 1949 and led to one of the first major international crises of the Cold War. The Western Allies were left with no alternatives but to supply essential articles to West Berlin by a large scale uplift through the air corridor left open to them. The people of West Berlin suffered a lot as a result of this blockade. The blockade was withdrawn on May 11, 1949 after the lapse of about a year.

(b) Encouraged by the desire of establishing peace, the United Nations Organisation (UNO) was established in 1945. All the people of the world felt that if there would be another such war then nobody would survive in the world. Consequently, every country of the world became quite prepared to give every sort of help to the UNO for the establishment of peace in the world.

With reference to the given picture, answer the following questions :

(a) The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and its aftermath.

(b) Why did USA drop atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

(c) Describe its effects on Japan and the World.

Answer

(a) After the fall of Germany and Italy, the Allies issued an ultimatum to Japan to surrender or to face destruction. Japan did not surrender, so two atom bombs were dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 1945. It destroyed half the city killing thousands of people. Despite the terrible destruction, the Japanese still refused to surrender. On August 9, 1945 another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. On September 2, 1945 Japan surrendered unconditionally. After six long years World War II came to an end.

(b) USA dropped atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to make Japan surrender.

(c) The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had the following effects on Japan and the World:

1. Hundreds of thousands of people were injured and many died in Japan. The cities were completely destroyed, and Japan surrendered unconditionally, leading to the end of World War II.
2. It marked the first and only use of nuclear weapons in war.
3. It triggered a global nuclear arms race, especially during the Cold War.
4. It led to the creation of international organizations and treaties to prevent the spread and use of nuclear weapons.

Read the passage given below and answer the following questions.

After the surrender of Germany, the Allies issued an ultimatum to Japan to surrender or to face destruction. Japan did not pay any heed to that. So two atom bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, 1945. The great destruction forced Japan to surrender. After Japan's surrender the war came to an end in 1945.

(a) Why did Germany surrender?

(b) Why did Japan surrender ultimately?

(c) Why were the atom bombs dropped on Japan?

Answer

(a) The Allies began air raids on Germany in June 1944. By August, they had recaptured Paris and liberated France from German occupation. Subsequently, German forces were forced to withdraw from Belgium and Holland. At the same time, Russia attacked Germany from the east, making it difficult for Germany to fight on two fronts. Facing defeat, Hitler committed suicide in April 1945. Shortly after, on May 7, 1945, German forces surrendered unconditionally to the Allies.

(b) Japan surrendered ultimately because the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, causing massive destruction and loss of life. This forced Japan to surrender to avoid further devastation.

(c) The atom bombs were dropped on Japan because Japan refused to surrender after the Allies issued an ultimatum. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 led to Japan's unconditional surrender and brought World War II to an end.