Causes of the Second World War — In Easy Words

1. Treaty of Versailles (1919): A Peace Made with Revenge

After World War I, the victorious countries punished Germany very harshly.

Germany felt that the punishment was unfair.

• Germany lost large parts of its land and all its colonies in East Africa and South-West
Africa.

• Its army was reduced to only 1,00,000 soldiers, the navy to 15,000 men, and the Air
Force was completely banned.

• Germany had to pay a huge amount of money (33 billion dollars) as war damages to
the Allied powers.

• Germany also had to give its merchant ships to the Allies.

The German people felt insulted and humiliated. This anger helped the rise of Nazism and
encouraged Hitler to follow a path of aggression.

2. Italy Was Also Unhappy

Italy had fought with the Allies in World War I but did not get the territories it expected. Italians felt
cheated and angry.

3. Rise of Fascism in Italy

Italy had spent a lot of money during the war and was facing poverty, hunger, unemployment, and
strikes everywhere. In this chaotic situation, Mussolini and the Fascists captured power.

Italy then formed a friendship with Germany and Japan, creating the Berlin–Rome–Tokyo Axis. In
1940, Italy joined World War II.

4. Rise of Nazism in Germany

Hitler told Germans they must become powerful again. He openly broke the rules of the Treaty of
Versailles and rebuilt the German army.

• In 1936, he sent troops into the Rhineland (a region where German soldiers were not
allowed by the treaty).

• He captured Austria (Anschluss).

• He demanded Sudetenland, a part of Czechoslovakia where many Germans lived.

Leaders of Germany, Italy, Britain, and France met in Munich in 1938 and agreed to give Sudetenland
to Germany to maintain peace.

But Hitler did not stop. In March 1939, he took over the rest of Czechoslovakia.
5. Policy of Appeasement

Appeasement means giving into someone’s demands to keep peace.

Britain and France followed appeasement for three reasons:

1. They felt the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh on Germany.

2. They believed if Germany’s complaints were solved, Hitler would remain peaceful.

3. They feared communism (from Russia) more than Nazism, so they allowed Germany
to grow stronger.

But this policy was a big mistake. It only encouraged Germany, Italy, and Japan to become more
aggressive.

6. Failure of the League of Nations

The League of Nations was formed to prevent wars, but it failed.

• Its only weapon was economic sanctions, which did not scare strong countries.

• The League did nothing when Japan invaded Manchuria (1931) or when Italy
attacked Ethiopia.

• This weakness encouraged Germany to occupy Austria and later attack Poland.

7. Japan’s Invasion of China

In 1931, Japan attacked China and took over Manchuria. China asked the League of Nations for help,
but Britain and France ignored the request. They hoped Japan would weaken China.

8. The Invasion of Poland and the Start of World War II

Germany wanted the Danzig Corridor because:

1. Many Germans lived there.

2. It connected East Prussia with Germany.

Britain and France understood the danger and promised to support Poland.

To avoid being attacked by Russia, Germany signed a Non-Aggression Pact with the Soviet Union in
August 1939. Both secretly agreed to divide Poland between them.

Germany falsely claimed that Poland was harming Germans living there.

• On 1 September 1939, Germany attacked Poland.

• On 3 September, Britain and France declared war on Germany.

British Prime Minister Chamberlain said that all his hopes for peace had completely collapsed.

This was the beginning of World War II.

Attack on Pearl Harbour
On 7 December 1941, Japan suddenly attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii.

During this surprise attack:

• Japan destroyed 188 American airplanes

• Many U.S. battleships and warships were damaged or sunk

• Over 2000 American sailors and soldiers were killed

This huge loss shocked the United States.

The next day, 8 December 1941, the U.S. declared war on Japan, and soon also on Germany and Italy.
This is how the United States entered World War II.

Invasion of Russia

Germany launched a major attack on Russia, capturing many cities one after another.

In July 1942, a long and very deadly battle began at Stalingrad.

The Russian army fought bravely and refused to give up.

Finally, on 31 January 1943, the German commander surrendered to the Russians.

This was one of the biggest turning points in World War II.

Victory Over Japan

Japan had taken control of Thailand, Malaya (Malaysia), Burma (Myanmar), and the Philippines, and
continued fighting the United States in the Pacific Ocean.

Although the American navy and air force destroyed most of Japan’s ships, Japan was still strong in
China, Manchuria, and other areas.

Japan refused to surrender.

Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The United States did not want the war to continue any longer.

America had created a new and extremely powerful weapon—the atomic bomb.

American planes dropped leaflets over Japan, warning the leaders about the deadly power of the
bomb and asking them to stop fighting. But Japan still did not surrender.

• On 6 August 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

In just a few seconds, about 80,000 people died, and 70,000 were badly injured.

• On 9 August 1945, a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.

More than 3,00,000 people from both cities died, and many more were left disabled for life.
After seeing such destruction, Japan realized it could not win.

• On 14 August 1945, Japan agreed to surrender.

• On 15 August, Japan officially surrendered.

• The formal agreement to stop fighting was signed on 2 September 1945.

This marked the end of World War II.

Japan was then controlled by the Allied forces under General MacArthur.

The effects of the bombs were terrible. Even future generations suffered. Many survivors looked like
“living corpses” with burnt skin and damaged hair.

Defeat of the Axis Powers

The war ended with the fall of Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany, and militarist Japan. All three dictatorships
surrendered to the Allied Powers.

(i) Division of Germany

After Germany surrendered, the Allies took control of the country.

Germany was divided into four zones, each controlled by:

• Britain

• France

• The United States

• The Soviet Union (Russia)

Each country ruled its own zone in its own way.

(ii) Formation of West Germany (FRG)

In 1948, Britain, France, and the United States combined their three zones.

They created West Germany, officially called the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), with Bonn as its
capital.

iii) Formation of East Germany (GDR)

In 1949, the Soviet Union turned its zone into East Germany, officially called the German Democratic
Republic (GDR).

Its capital was East Berlin.

West Germany (FRG) followed democracy, while East Germany (GDR) followed communism.

So the two Germanys had two different systems and ideas.

(iv) Division of Berlin

The city of Berlin was also divided into:

• West Berlin (controlled by Western Allies)

• East Berlin (controlled by Soviet Union)

(v) Japan After the War

Japan was placed under American control led by General MacArthur.

The Japanese Emperor remained in power, but only as a constitutional monarch (a king with limited
powers).

By 1949, American military control ended.

With American help, Japan quickly grew into a strong and modern economy.

(vi) War Crimes Trials at Nuremberg

An International Military Tribunal was set up in Nuremberg, Germany, to punish major war criminals.

• Many leaders were charged with breaking war laws and committing crimes against
humanity.

• 22 people were found guilty.

• 11 of them were sentenced to death. [8:05 pm, 10/12/2025] Rajashree Senapati:

The Cold War
After World War II, the United States and Russia (then the Soviet Union) became the two most
powerful countries.

The world got divided into two groups:

1. Democratic / Capitalist Bloc – led by the USA

2. Communist Bloc – led by Russia

Because of this rivalry, a long period of tension began, known as the Cold War.

The term “Cold War” was first used by the American statesman Bernard Baruch on 16 April 1947,
when he said:

“We are today in the midst of a Cold War.”

Cold War means a situation where countries are extremely unfriendly and suspicious of each other
but do not actually fight a real war.

So, it was neither full war nor complete peace—just “uneasy peace.”

Consequences of the Cold War

(i) It started a huge race for weapons, including nuclear arms.

(ii) It led to the creation of many military alliances:

• NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) and SEATO, formed by the USA and its
allies

• Warsaw Pact, created by Russia and other communist countries

Cold War Crises

The Cold War created many dangerous situations, such as:

• Berlin Blockade (1948–1949)

• Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

• Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia

Seeing the rising tension, many countries—including India—chose not to join any military group.

This independent policy was known as Non-Alignment.

End of the Cold War

The USA and the Soviet Union realized that a nuclear war would destroy humanity. So they preferred
peaceful coexistence.

Also, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) helped reduce tensions.

The Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev introduced major reforms in Russia, allowing more freedom
and openness.

His policies helped reduce Cold War tensions.

• Warsaw Pact ended in July 1991

• In December 1991, the Soviet Union broke apart

This marked the official end of the Cold War.

5. Formation of the United Nations

After the war, people wanted a safer world.

Therefore, on 24 October 1945, the United Nations (UN) was formed.

The UN is seen as the “hope and conscience of the world.”

Its main aims are:

• Peace

• Security

• Respect for human dignity

A nuclear war would destroy the entire human race.

To stop this, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was proposed. It asked non-nuclear countries
not to make nuclear weapons.

India refused to sign it because the treaty did not promise that all countries (including those with
nuclear weapons) would disarm within a fixed time.

The UN also declared the 1970s as the Disarmament Decade, and the 1980s as the Second
Disarmament Decade, to reduce weapons worldwide.
CAUSES FOR THE RISE OF FASCISM AND NAZISM (Easy Words)
Dictatorships in Italy (Fascism) and Germany (Nazism) rose because of several reasons. These are
explained below in simple language:

1. Dissatisfaction with Peace Treaties

Italy:

Italy fought on the side of the Allies in World War I. Italians felt that:

• They helped the Allies win the war

• But they got almost nothing in return

People said, “We won the war but lost the peace.”

This disappointment created anger and frustration among Italians.

Germany:

Germany was forced to follow the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, such as:

• Losing large areas of land to France, Belgium, Poland, and Denmark

• Losing all colonies to the Allies

• Reducing their army to only 1 lakh soldiers

Germans felt humiliated, weak, and insecure.

2. Economic Problems

Italy:

After the war, Italy faced:

• Heavy war debts

• High prices (inflation)

• Unemployment

• Strikes and riots

• Workers and farmers suffering

Young people had no jobs, and industries were failing.

Germany:

Germany had to pay a huge war indemnity (compensation).

This caused:
 • Severe financial crisis

• Rapid inflation

• High unemployment

Many jobless youths started joining the Nazi Party.

3. Political Instability and Weak Democratic Governments

Italy:

The democratic governments of Nitti and Giolitti were:

• Weak

• Corrupt

• Unable to stop strikes and riots

People wanted a stronger leader.

Germany:

After the war, Germany formed a democratic government at Weimar (1919). But:

• Governments kept changing

• Between 1919–1933, Germany had 21 Ministries led by 12 Chancellors

• Nothing was stable

People lost faith in democracy and looked for a strong ruler.

4. Totalitarian Ideologies (Dictatorial Ideas)

Totalitarianism means one leader or one party controls everything.

• Some philosophers like Hegel influenced these ideas

• These ideas said that people must obey without question

• In Russia, after 1917, the Communist government also used fear and force

Because of these examples, many Italians and Germans felt that dictatorship might solve their
problems.

5. Class Conflicts and Support from Industrialists

• Workers were demanding higher wages

• Industrialists, big businessmen, and landlords feared a Communist Revolution

• They wanted someone who could control workers and stop protests
 • So they gave money and support to Fascists (Mussolini) and Nazis (Hitler)

Mussolini’s supporters (the Black-Shirts) destroyed socialist offices and labour union centers.

6. Failure of the League of Nations

The League of Nations was created to maintain peace, but it failed.

Example:

In 1923, three Italian officers were killed in Corfu. Italy attacked Corfu and Greece asked the League
for help.

The League did nothing.

Seeing that no one stopped Italy, Mussolini and Hitler became bolder and more aggressive.

7. Charismatic Leaders

Both Mussolini and Hitler were very powerful, inspiring speakers.

Mussolini (Italy):

• Called ‘Duce’, meaning The Leader

• Showed himself as a common man working for ordinary people

• Used speeches, parades, and propaganda to win support

Hitler (Germany):

• Called the ‘Führer’, meaning Guide or Leader

• Germans saw him as their savior

• He promised jobs, national pride, and revenge for Germany’s humiliation

These strong leaders attracted millions who were tired of poverty, confusion, and weak governments.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN FASCISM AND NAZISM (Easy Words)

Key Features of Fascism and Nazism

Fascism (Italy) and Nazism (Germany) were very similar in many ways.

Here are the main similarities in simple language:

1. Anti-Intellectualism (Against Reasoning and Thinking)

Both Fascists and Nazis did not want people to question, think deeply, or use logic. They wanted
people to follow blindly.
 • Mussolini’s slogan was: “Believe, obey, fight.”

• They spread myths like:

1. The leader is always right

2. Peace is for cowards

3. Imperialism (capturing other countries) is natural and necessary

Hitler also claimed:

• Germans (Aryans) were the “noblest race”

• He used strong propaganda, posters, slogans, and even lies to control public
opinionFamous idea of Hitler:

“A big lie repeated many times will be believed.”

2. Rejection of Democracy (One-Party / One-Man Rule)

Both systems hated democracy and freedom.

• They believed only one strong leader should rule.

• Mussolini said Fascism attacks the entire idea of democracy.

• Hitler said ordinary people cannot rule; only gifted leaders should.

In both countries:

• Only one party existed

• Opposition was crushed

• Critics were threatened, punished, or even killed

(Example: In 1924, Socialist leader Giacomo Matteotti was murdered in Italy.)

3. Extreme Nationalism and Expansion (Imperialism)

Both Hitler and Mussolini wanted their countries to become powerful by expanding their territories.

Mussolini said:

• “Right without might is meaningless.”

• He praised war and weapons.

Italy captured Ethiopia in 1936.

Germany attacked and occupied many countries like Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Belgium,
Netherlands, France, etc.
4. Anti-Communism

Both Fascism and Nazism strongly opposed Communism.

In Italy (Fascism):

• Capitalism continued, but the state controlled how property and industries were
used.

• They created a “permanent war economy” with strict government control.

In Germany (Nazism):

• Hitler hated Communists and Marxists.

• He said Communism divides the nation by creating class conflicts.

Both systems used anti-Communist messages to gain support from businessmen, landlords, and
army officers.

5. Belief in Racial Superiority (Especially in Nazism)

Nazis strongly believed in racial purity.

• They promoted the “Aryan” or “Nordic” race as superior.

• They wanted all Aryans in Europe united under German rule.

• Millions of Jews were killed under this racist policy.

In Italy:

• Race was not an important part of early Fascism.

• Jews were part of the Fascist Party initially.

• Only later, under Hitler’s influence, Mussolini adopted anti-Jewish laws.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FASCISM AND NAZISM (Easy Words)

Although both were similar, some important differences existed.

1. Economic System

Fascism (Italy): Corporate State

• Workers and employers were organized into groups called Syndicates.

• These syndicates were combined into National Corporations.

• These corporations made rules on wages, working hours, and working conditions.

• Mussolini controlled everything through these bodies.

Purpose:

To control the entire economy through the government.

Nazism (Germany): State-Controlled Capitalism

• Big industries continued to run but under strict government control.

• Wages and prices were fixed.

• Workers could not strike; owners could not close factories.

• The government directed all production for war and rearmament.

2. Racialism (Race-Based Ideology)

Nazism (Germany):

• Racial theory was the central idea.

• Jews were blamed for Germany’s defeat in WWI.

• Nazis believed Germans were the “Master Race.”

• This led to the Holocaust and the killing of about six million Jews.

Fascism (Italy):

• Racialism was not originally part of the ideology.

• At first, Jews even held high posts in the Fascist Party.

• Anti-Jewish laws came only later due to Hitler’s influence.