The Second World War
Second World War
World War II was one of the greatest struggles humanity has ever seen. This Second World War caused many lives to be lost, damaged personal properties and was expensive, for a great deal of money was required to maintain a country’s military strength. The numbers for those that have passed, been wounded or gone missing during the war could never be calculated precisely; though it has been estimated that more than 55 million lives perished. Many historians have traced the causes of World War II to the problems left unsolved by the First World War (1914-1918). World War I and the treaties that ended it also created new political and economic problems. Forceful leaders and dictators in several countries (Germany, Italy, and Japan) took advantage of these problems to seize power and to conquer additional territory were brought into conflict with the democratic nations.
After World War I ended, representatives of the victorious nations met in Paris in 1919 to draw up peace treaties for the defeated countries. These treaties, known as the Peace of Paris, followed a long and bitter war. They were worked out in haste by these countries with opposing goals, and failed to satisfy even the victors. Of all the countries on the winning side, Italy and Japan left the peace conference most dissatisfied. Italy gained less territory than it felt it deserved and vowed to take action on its own. On the other hand Japan was angered by the peacemakers' failure to support the principle of the equality of all races, therefore Japan launched a program of expansion and in the process they gained control of German territories in the Pacific. Also the countries that lost World War I (Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey) were especially dissatisfied with another treaty, named the Peace of Paris. These countries were stripped of territories, arms and were required to make reparations (payments for war damages). Another treaty called, The Treaty of Versailles,
World War II was one of the greatest struggles humanity has ever seen. This Second World War caused many lives to be lost, damaged personal properties and was expensive, for a great deal of money was required to maintain a country’s military strength. The numbers for those that have passed, been wounded or gone missing during the war could never be calculated precisely; though it has been estimated that more than 55 million lives perished. Many historians have traced the causes of World War II to the problems left unsolved by the First World War (1914-1918). World War I and the treaties that ended it also created new political and economic problems. Forceful leaders and dictators in several countries (Germany, Italy, and Japan) took advantage of these problems to seize power and to conquer additional territory were brought into conflict with the democratic nations.
After World War I ended, representatives of the victorious nations met in Paris in 1919 to draw up peace treaties for the defeated countries. These treaties, known as the Peace of Paris, followed a long and bitter war. They were worked out in haste by these countries with opposing goals, and failed to satisfy even the victors. Of all the countries on the winning side, Italy and Japan left the peace conference most dissatisfied. Italy gained less territory than it felt it deserved and vowed to take action on its own. On the other hand Japan was angered by the peacemakers' failure to support the principle of the equality of all races, therefore Japan launched a program of expansion and in the process they gained control of German territories in the Pacific. Also the countries that lost World War I (Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey) were especially dissatisfied with another treaty, named the Peace of Paris. These countries were stripped of territories, arms and were required to make reparations (payments for war damages). Another treaty called, The Treaty of Versailles,
Cited: N/A. "Wars and Battles, 1939-1945." US History. 24 March 2010 <www.u-s-history.com>. —. "World War 2 Insightful Essays." 2 World War 2 Site. 24 March 2010 <2worldwar2.com>. Trueman, Chris. "Causes of World War II." 2000. History Learning Site. 24 March 2010 <historylearningsite.co.uk>.