• The first half of the twentieth century witnessed two wars which devastated the world.
• World War I was fought from 1914 to 1918 and World War II began in 1939 and ended
in 1945.
• While the world at large had experienced many wars, these two wars are referred to as
“World” wars because of the extended areas of the conflict and the very high death toll
of civilians as well as armed combatants.
• Both wars were fought on several fronts across Europe, Asia and Africa.
• In both wars, the combined forces of Great Britain, France, Russia and the United
States fought against a war alliance led by Germany.
• Germany’s allies were Italy and Japan in World War II.
• The Treaty also set up the League of Nations, on the initiative of
President Woodrow Wilson of the United States.
• After this, the American forces were
able to re-take the Philippines.
•Gradually the Japanese were thrown
out of most of their conquered
territories.
•In 1944, the combined British and
Indian armies were able to push back
the Japanese who attempted to
invade the northeast of India.
• Then, along with the Chinese, they
pushed the Japanese out of Burma,
and liberated Malaya and Singapore.
• The League was expected to mediate between countries and take action
against countries which indulged in military aggression.
• The popular mood favoured the traditional isolationist approach, and
therefore the United States did not become a member of the League.
• The other Allied nations were also determined to maintain a non-
interventionist attitude and, in consequence, the League remained an
ineffectual international body.
• Adolf Hitler was able to exploit the general
discontent among the Germans.
• Gifted with great oratorical skills, he was able to
sway the people by his impassioned speeches,
promising a return to the glorious military past
of Germany.
• He founded the National Socialist party,
generally known as “the Nazis”.
• The fundamental platform on which Hitler built
• In August 1942, the Germans attacked Stalingrad.
• Stretching about 30 miles (50 km) along the banks of
the Volga River, Stalingrad was a large industrial city
producing armaments and tractors.
• Capturing the city would cut Soviet transport links with
southern Russia, and Stalingrad would then enable the
invading Germans to have access to the oil fields of
the Caucasus.
• In addition, seizing the city that bore the name of
Soviet leader Stalin would serve as a great personal and
propaganda victory for Hitler.
• German war planners hoped to achieve that end with
Fall Blau (“Operation Blue”).
• On June 28, 1942, operations began with significant
German victories.
his support was the notion of the racial
superiority of the Germans as a pure, ‘Aryan’
race and a deep-seated hatred of the Jews.
• Hitler came to power in 1933 and ruled
Germany till 1945.
• In spite of all these manifestations of
military activity by Germany, Italy and
Japan, Britain and France continued to be
noninterventionist.
• The mood in Britain was not in favour of
starting another war.
• Prime Ministers Baldwin and Chamberlain
did not feel justified in intervening in a
region which was not officially in their
sphere of interest.
• The United States was totally indifferent to
the outside world and was concerned with
the revival of the economy after the Great
Depression.
• Battle of Britain– By July 1940, it was
feared that the Germans were planning to
invade Britain.
• Hitler wanted to force Britain to accept his
proposals for peace by a prolonged air-
borne bombing campaign.
• The German air force began to attack
specific targets, especially the ports,
airfields and industrial installations.
• In September 1940, London was bombed
mercilessly, an action known as The Blitz.
• By October 1940, night bombing raids on
London and other industrial cities began.
• In August 1942, the Germans attacked Stalingrad.
• Stretching about 30 miles (50 km) along the banks of
the Volga River, Stalingrad was a large industrial city
producing armaments and tractors.
• Capturing the city would cut Soviet transport links with
southern Russia, and Stalingrad would then enable the
invading Germans to have access to the oil fields of
the Caucasus.
• In addition, seizing the city that bore the name of
Soviet leader Stalin would serve as a great personal and
propaganda victory for Hitler.
• German war planners hoped to achieve that end with
Fall Blau (“Operation Blue”).
• On June 28, 1942, operations began with significant
German victories.
• After this, the American forces were
able to re-take the Philippines.
•Gradually the Japanese were thrown
out of most of their conquered
territories.
•In 1944, the combined British and
Indian armies were able to push back
the Japanese who attempted to
invade the northeast of India.
• Then, along with the Chinese, they
pushed the Japanese out of Burma,
and liberated Malaya and Singapore.
• After this, the American forces were
able to re-take the Philippines.
•Gradually the Japanese were thrown
out of most of their conquered
territories.
•In 1944, the combined British and
Indian armies were able to push back
the Japanese who attempted to
invade the northeast of India.
• Then, along with the Chinese, thSocialushed the Japanese out of Burma,
and liberated Malaya and Singapore.
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