Lecture Notes: Post-World War I and World War II Overview

Aftermath of World War I

• Treaty of Versailles
  • Germany loses colonies, territory, forced to disarm.
  • Poland reconstituted, gains sea access.
  • Germany and allies held solely responsible for war, demanded reparations.
  • German people view treaty as humiliating.
• Impact on Various Countries
  • Austria-Hungary & Ottoman Empire dismantled.
  • Italy upset over unmet territorial promises, high casualties.
  • United States Senate does not ratify Treaty; doesn't join League of Nations.
  • USSR excluded from the League of Nations, feels isolated.
  • United Kingdom focuses on empire.
  • France lacks strong allies, depends on reparations for reconstruction.
• Economic Turmoil
  • Germany faces hyperinflation, economic collapse.
  • France and Belgium occupy the Ruhr.
  • US and UK propose debt adjustment for Germany.
  • Dawes Plan revives German economy.

Interwar Period

• Political Changes
  • Germany joins League of Nations, economy grows.
  • Mussolini's fascist regime rises in Italy.
• US Stock Market Crash
  • Global economic crisis begins.
  • Germany hit hard, extremism rises.
  • NSDAP (Nazi Party) wins elections.
  • Hitler becomes head of government, later dictator.

Prelude to World War II

• Germany's Aggression
  • Violation of Treaty of Versailles.
  • Military build-up, annexation of Austria and Sudetenland.
  • Non-aggression pact with USSR.
• Axis Powers Formation
  • Rome-Berlin Axis between Italy and Germany.
  • Germany, Italy, Japan form Tripartite Pact.

Outbreak of World War II

• Invasions and Early War
  • Germany invades Poland; UK and France declare war.
  • Blitzkrieg tactics; Poland overwhelmed.
  • Soviet Union invades eastern Poland, Finland.
  • Germany invades Denmark, Norway, Benelux.
  • France falls; Vichy government established.
• Battle of Britain
  • Germany's Luftwaffe fails to dominate RAF.
• Expanding Axis Influence
  • Italy's colonial ambitions in Africa.
  • German intervention in Greece and Yugoslavia.
  • Invasion of USSR by Germany.

Global Conflict

• Allied Response
  • USA joins Allies after Pearl Harbor.
  • Allied landings in North Africa, Sicily.
  • Soviet counterattacks, Eastern Front battles.
• Resistance and Atrocities
  • Resistance in occupied territories.
  • Holocaust and genocide by Nazi regime.

Turning Points

• Allied Advances
  • Normandy landings, Liberation of Paris.
  • Soviet pushes from the East.
• Collapse of Axis Powers
  • Mussolini's fall, Italy surrenders.
  • Germany's defeat, Hitler's suicide.
  • Japan's persistence despite bombings.

End of World War II

• Surrender and Aftermath
  • Germany signs surrender; post-war division.
  • Atomic bombs dropped on Japan; Japan surrenders.
  • Establishment of United Nations.

Post-War Impact

• Cold War Onset
  • USA and USSR emerge as superpowers.
  • Division of Europe into spheres of influence.
• Formation of New Institutions
  • Creation of European Coal and Steel Community.
  • Establishment of NATO, IMF, World Bank.

Historical Significance

• Deadliest War
  • Estimated 75 million deaths, with 66% civilians.
  • Extensive destruction across Europe.
  • War leads to major geopolitical shifts and new international organizations to maintain peace.