History & Civics
Read the passage given and answer the following questions:
In an effort to secure resources for its expanding industries, Japan invaded the northern Chinese province of Manchuria. Although many Western nations protested the Japanese action, most members of the League of Nations, including Canada, opposed any form of military intervention to defend Chinese sovereignty. A League of Nations commission, headed by the British diplomat Lord Lytton, was dispatched to Manchuria to investigate. — Loyal Edmonton Regiment Museum
(i) How did the incident being described above become a cause for the Second World War?
(ii) Mention any three reasons for Hitler’s attack on Poland.
(iii) Mention any four reasons for the failure of the League of Nations.
Answer
(i) Japan's expansionist policy after World War I was a key cause of the Second World War. In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, defying the League of Nations, and later waged an undeclared war on China. Despite China's appeal for sanctions, Britain and France, key League members, ignored it. Japan then joined the Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis to further its ambitions. In 1933, Japan left the League and began occupying British and American properties in China. Britain and France followed a policy of appeasement, hoping Japan would weaken China, which contributed to the inevitability of war.
(ii) Hitler invaded Poland in September 1939 for the following reasons:
- By the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was divided into two parts in order to give a land-route to Poland upto the sea and the Port of Danzing was also given to Poland. Germany wanted to regain her lost territories.
- The city of Danzing was inhabited mainly by the Germans and by occupying Danzing Corridor, Germany could connect with East Prussia.
- Germany signed a Non-Aggression Pact with Russia in August 1939, Poland was left vulnerable because of the pact, enabling Germany to invade without fear of Soviet opposition.
(iii) Four reasons for the failure of the League of Nations were:
- The League suffered an early blow when the USA did not join the League. Even those who joined the League were not interested in the principle of collective security.
- The League did nothing when Poland, with the backing of France, seized a part of Lithuania in 1920.
- In 1923, there was a threat of war between Italy and Greece. Italy refused to submit to the League's intervention and the dispute was settled by direct mediation of Great Britain and France. Thereafter, in every crisis, the League was either defied or ignored.
- The authority of the League was flouted by Japan when it seized Manchuria; and by Italy when it conquered Ethiopia.
- Moreover, the member states were not willing to apply economic sanctions as it affected their economy as well.
Hence, the League failed to maintain international peace and the countries of Europe lost faith in its usefulness.
Related Questions
The Revolt of 1857 was conscious beginning of the independence struggle against the British. With reference to this, answer the following questions:
(i) What was the Doctrine of Lapse? Who introduced it?
(ii) The British Government interfered in the social and religious matters of the Indians. Mention any three socio religious causes to justify this statement.
(iii) Mention any four military causes which led to this Revolt.
The oppressive British colonial rule led to the growth of nationalism in India. With reference to this, answer the following questions:
(i) The repressive policies of Lord Lytton became a catalyst to the growth of nationalism. Mention any three of his repressive policies to justify this statement.
(ii) Mention any three ways in which the Press promoted nationalism.
(iii) Who presided over the second session of the Indian National Congress?
Mention any three objectives of the Congress.Look at the given picture and answer the questions that follows:
(i) Identify the above incident. Which Gandhian movement did it lead to? Which incident led to the suspension of that movement?
(ii) Mention any three repressive provisions of the Rowlatt Act.
(iii) Mention the following:
(a) Any two causes of the Quit India Movement.
(b) Any two causes of the Civil Disobedience Movement.The organs and the agencies of the United Nation Organisation work towards the development of the world. With reference to this answer the following questions:
(i) What is the composition of the General Assembly?
(ii) Mention any three functions of the International Court of Justice.
(iii) Give the full form of UNICEF. Mention any three of its functions.