INDEX

INDEX
INTRODUCTION
PART 1: CAUSES OF THE WAR
World War II: Numerous, thought - provoking causes
What started the war?

PART 2: DEVELOPMENT OF THE WAR AND THE NAZI OCCUPATION IN EUROPE

How did the war develop?
How did Nazi occupation affect Europe?

PART 3: THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE WAR

What were the consequences of the war?
The United Nations

CONCLUSION
WEBGRAPHY
World War II was the result of
several interconnected factors,
with the rise of authoritarian
regimes, the impact of the Treaty
of Versailles, and the tensions
between expansionist and
appeasement policies playing
pivotal roles. Below are detailed
explanations of these key causes:
CAUSES
OF THE
WAR
 The Rise of
Authoritarian
Regimes
After World War I, many European countries faced instability,
economic crisis, and disillusionment with democracy, creating
conditions for the rise of authoritarian regimes that promised order
and national strength.

Nazi Germany (Hitler): Hitler came to power in 1933, aiming to

overturn the Treaty of Versailles and expand German territory.

Fascist Italy (Mussolini): Mussolini promoted authoritarian rule and

militarism, seeking to restore Italy’s imperial greatness.

Imperial Japan (Tojo): Under leaders like Tojo, Japan pursued

expansion in Asia to secure resources and national survival.
The Impact
of the
Treaty of
Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, officially ended World War I but left deep
resentment in Germany. The treaty imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses,
causing economic hardship, national humiliation, and political instability. These
conditions created a perfect environment for extremist movements, such as the Nazis,
to gain support by promising to restore Germany’s power and dignity.

Economic Consequences: The reparations damaged Germany’s economy, leading to

hyperinflation, unemployment, and social unrest, which caused widespread
dissatisfaction

Political Consequences: The treaty’s restrictions on Germany’s military and loss of

territories (like the Rhineland and Polish Corridor) were seen as unfair, fueling a strong
sense of injustice and nationalism.

Rise of Extremism: The turmoil caused by the Treaty of Versailles helped extremist
ideologies, like National Socialism, grow. Hitler’s promises to cancel the treaty and
restore Germany’s greatness earned him massive support..
Explanation of the map
This map shows
Germany's territorial
losses after the Treaty
of Versailles in 1919.
Regions like Alsace and
Lorraine were ceded to
France, and others to
Poland and Belgium.
These losses fueled
resentment in Germany,
contributing to the rise
of Nazism.
Expansionist
Policies
versus
Appeasement
Policies
One of the key causes of World War II was the expansionist ambitions of Nazi
Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan. These regimes aimed to annex new
territories and grow their power.

Germany: Hitler wanted to create a Greater Germany. He annexed Austria in

1938 (Anschluss) and demanded the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia. These
actions led to the invasion of Poland in 1939, starting the war.
Italy: Mussolini invaded Ethiopia in 1935, seeking to rebuild a Roman Empire
in Africa.
Japan: Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and continued expanding into China
during the 1930s.

In response, Britain and France followed a policy of appeasement, hoping to

avoid another major war. The Munich Agreement of 1938 allowed Hitler to take
the Sudetenland in exchange for a promise of no further expansion.

However, appeasement only encouraged Hitler to push further, eventually

leading to the outbreak of World War !
Before World War II, both Germany and Japan
followed aggressive expansionist policies.

Germany, under Hitler, aimed to overturn the Treaty

of Versailles, rebuild military power, and gain "living
space." Actions like the reoccupation of the
Rhineland (1936), annexation of Austria (1938), and
the invasion of Czechoslovakia showed this intent.
The invasion of Poland in 1939 triggered the start of
World War II.

Japan sought to dominate Asia and secure

resources. It invaded Manchuria in 1931 and China in
1937, setting the stage for further conflict in the
Pacific.
This map depicts
Germany's expansionist
actions between 1936
and 1939, including the
annexation of Austria,
the Sudetenland, and
the remilitarization of
the Rhineland. These
aggressive moves
heightened tensions
across Europe and
contributed to the
outbreak of World War
II.
After World War I, European powers, particularly Britain and France,
were reluctant to confront the rising threats from Nazi Germany and
Imperial Japan. The policy of appeasement, most notably exemplified by
the Munich Agreement of 1938, allowed Hitler to annex Czechoslovakia's
Sudetenland in exchange for a promise of no further territorial expansion.
This policy, designed to avoid another war, ultimately failed, as it
emboldened the aggressors and gave them more room to pursue their
expansionist goals.

Germany's increasing aggression in Europe, particularly its invasion

of Poland in 1939, directly led to the outbreak of war. The invasion
triggered Britain and France to declare war on Germany. Meanwhile,
Japan's expansionist activities in Asia also contributed to tensions
with Western powers, leading to conflicts such as the Second Sino-
Japanese War and Japan’s eventual attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941,
drawing the United States into the war.
 FORMATION OF
ALLIANCES
The formation of military alliances
also played a key role in escalating
the conflict. The Axis Powers
(Germany, Italy, and Japan) formed
a pact of mutual support, while the
Allied Powers (initially Britain,
France, and later the United States
and the Soviet Union) came
together to oppose Axis aggression.
These alliances meant that any
regional conflict had the potential
to escalate into a global war, which
happened as a result of the German
invasion of Poland and Japan’s
attacks in the Pacific.
The Great Depression and its Role in Starting World War II
The Great Depression of 1929 created a global
economic crisis that intensified international
tensions. In Germany, massive unemployment
and widespread poverty fueled public
resentment, which the Nazis exploited to gain
support and justify aggressive expansionist
policies. Similarly, Japan faced economic
struggles and pursued territorial expansion to
secure essential resources like food and raw
materials. The weakened global economy
undermined democracies, strengthened
authoritarian regimes, and paved the way for
alliances, setting the stage for the outbreak of
World War II.
DEVELOPMENT OF
THE WAR AND THE
NAZI OCCUPATION
OF EUROPE
The outbreak of the war

Germany and the USSR had signed the

Non-Aggression Pact in August, which
provided for Stalin's neutrality in the event of
a war and secretly divided Poland between
them

Hitler invaded Poland ( September 1, 1939 )

In September 1939, the United Kingdom and

France declared war on Germany.
There were two blocks :
The Allies and Axis offensive
There were two scenarios:
Europe The Pacific
 First phase : Axis offensive
(1939-1941)
The German armies conquered large parts of Poland in just over a month, while the USSR
occupied the rest of the country.
Since 1940, the Germans launched a series of highly effective mobile operations
known as the Blitzrieg warfare

In April 1940 they invade In June 1940 they tried to

In May 1940 they invaded In June 1940 they
Denmark and Norway invade Great Britain.
Belgium, Netherlands and invaded France.
Luxembourg
 Second phase : stabilisation
( 1942-1943)
Two main facts

Germany invades Japan attacks

USA
the USSR
(Pearl Harbor)
(Operation
Barbarossa) USA enters the war

The USSR changes sides

Three phase : Allied offensive
(1944-1945)
After Pearl Harbor and USA´s entry into the war the fortune of the Axis powers began to change. The war reached a turning
point in 1942, when the Allies began a series of successful offensives.

Battle of Midway (June 1942)

Battle of El Alamein (October 1942)

Battle of Stalingrad (February 1943)

 After the Allies conquered the north of Africa, they invaded Italy from the South in July 1943. The King then deposed Mussolini.

However, the Germans managed to retain northern Italy.

In the Pacific, the Allied forces defetaed the Japanese in the Battle of Guadalcanal (February
1943).

In 1944, the Allies launched the Normandy landings on the French coast.
The battle began on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, when some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches
along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region.

Allies advanced using the

"leapfrogging" strategy: an island
was conquered and then a military
base was created in order to attack
the next island.

The Allies broke through the German defences and liberated Paris in August 1944.
 The Allies continued their advances which were accompanied by strategic bombing of German cities.

The Soviets occupied Berlin in April 1945 and Germany surrended.

unconditionally to the Allies on May 7, 1945. The surrender went into effect the
next day, May 8.
The war in Europe was over.
 The Pacific War went on for a few more
months. Japan was surrounded and
without resources, yet US President
Truman decided to drop the recently
invented atomic bombs on the Japanese
cities of Hiroshima (6 August 1945) and
Nagasaki (9 August 1945).
Japan surrender on 2nd September and
World War II had ended.
 How did Nazi occupation
affect europe?
The Nazis imposed a policy of economic exploitation and political repression in all
the territories that they occupied.

This "New Order" was based on the myth that the Germans belonged to a master
race called the Aryans . It involved the persecution of Jews and other groups who
were considered "racially inferior".

Opponents and Jews were held in concentration camps and extermination

camps, where millions of people were killed.

In addition, many cities, towns and villages across Europe were completely
destroyed by aerial bombing and heavy artillery. The wanton destruction of
homes created thousands of refugees and displaced persons. Almost everyone in
Europe was affected by the war.
 Forced labour
It was a vital part of the German economic exploitation
of conquered territories.
Many workers died as a result of their living conditions – extreme
mistreatment, severe malnutrition and abuse were the main causes of
death. Many more became civilian casualties from enemy (Allied) bombing
and shelling of their workplaces throughout the war.
 The extermination of millions of jews
The Holocaust
Was the systematic murder of Europe's Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators during the
Second World War. This programme of targeted mass murder was a central part of the Nazis’
broader plans to create a new world order based on their ideology.
 Collaboration and resistance

During the Second World War, the collaboration of governments and citizens was a crucial
factor in the maintenance of German dominance in continental Europe. It was, moreover,
precisely this assistance that allowed for the absolutely unprecedented dimensions of the
Holocaust, a crime perpetrated on a European scale.
The resistance movements in World War II can be broken down into two primary
politically polarized camps:
the internationalist and usually Communist Party-led anti-fascist resistance that
existed in nearly every country in the world; and
the various nationalist groups in German- or Soviet-occupied countries, such as the
Republic of Poland, that opposed both Nazi Germany and the Communists
 Extensions contents
Enigma code
The Enigma was a type of enciphering machine used by
the German armed forces to send messages securely.
Although Polish mathematicians called Alan Turing had
worked out how to read Enigma messages and had shared
this information with the British, the Germans increased its
security at the outbreak of war by changing the cipher
system daily. This made the task of understanding the code
even more difficult.
CONSEQUENCES
OF THE WAR
THE MARSHALL PLAN
Launched by the United States in 1948 to help Western Europe recover from the
devastation caused by World War II. Designed by Secretary of State George Marshall, this
plan had several key objectives:

Economic reconstruction: Approximately $13 billion of the time was earmarked to

rebuild infrastructure, modernize industries and revitalize devastated economies.

Curbing communism: In the context of the Cold War, the Marshall Plan sought to
counter Soviet influence in Europe by promoting economic and political stability in
allied countries.

Trade promotion: Trade barriers were eliminated and economic cooperation

among European countries was encouraged, laying the groundwork for what would
later become the European Union.
 POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THE LOSERS

Divided into two states: West It was occupied by the United Mussolini's fascist regime was
Germany, under capitalist States: under the leadership of overthrown: The country became
influence, and East Germany, General Douglas MacArthur. a democratic republic.
under a socialist regime led by the
Soviet Union. The loss of territories and The loss of territories in Africa:
dismantling of its empire: Korea And territories such as Dalmatia.
The loss of territories: East and Taiwan.
Prussia (annexed by Poland and
the Soviet Union). The drafting of a new
constitution: Wich limited
The dismantling of the Nazi military power and established a
regime: The judgement of the democratic system.
liders at the Nuremberg Trials.
THE NUREMBERG TRIALS

Were a series of court trials held after World War II to

try Nazi leaders responsible for war crimes, crimes
against humanity and crimes against peace. These
historic trials took place between November 20, 1945
and October 1, 1946 in Nuremberg, Germany. As a
result, 12 defendants were sentenced to death, others
received prison sentences, while some were acquitted.

It is also important to note that this series of trials set

the precedents for future international tribunals, such
as the International Criminal Court, and introduced the
aspect of individual responsibility into international
law.
POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THE WINNERS

Consolidated its position as a global Became a rival superpower to the United

superpower: Its economy emerged stronger, States: Marking the start of the Cold War.
and its political influence expanded
significantly. Expanded its sphere of influence in Eastern
Europe: Establishing communist regimes in
Led the occupation and democratization of countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, and
Japan: Laying the groundwork for a strategic Hungary.
alliance.
Strengthened its control over East Germany:
Played a key role in creating the UN: and was Which became part of its socialist bloc.
instrumental in Europe's reconstruction through
the Marshall Plan.
 POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THE WINNERS

The war drained its economic Liberation from German

resources and accelerated occupation: And recovery as a Becomes a permanent member
decolonization: Its status as a European power. of the UN Security Council.
world power weakened.
Influence in the European Note: Although on the winning
Regained occupied territories reconstruction and in the side, it was deeply affected by the
and played an important role in creation of international Japanese invasion. This
the creation of the UN. institutions such as the UN. contributed to a civil war between
nationalists and communists.
The emergence of independence
movements in its colonies:
Which ended up weakening its
colonial empire.
 TERRITORIAL CHANGES

Divided into four occupation zones Its eastern border was shifted westward,
controlled by the United States, the Soviet ceding territories to the Soviet Union
Union, the United Kingdom, and France. (current Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania).

Lost territories east of the Oder-Neisse line, In compensation, Poland received German
which were ceded to Poland and the Soviet territories in the west, such as Silesia and
Union. This included regions such as Silesia, Pomerania.
Pomerania, and East Prussia.
 TERRITORIAL CHANGES

Ceded territories such as Dalmatia to Lost all its territorial conquests, including
Yugoslavia and the Dodecanese to Greece. Korea, Taiwan, and Pacific islands.

Lost its African colonies, including Libya and The Kuril Islands and southern Sakhalin were
Eritrea. annexed by the Soviet Union.

Annexed the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Austria was separated from Germany and
and Lithuania) as well as parts of Finland, occupied by the Allied powers until 1955.
Poland, Romania, and Germany (East
New states, such as Israel in 1948, were
Prussia, including Kaliningrad).
established partly as a response to the
Holocaust.
MORAL IMPACT
OF THE WAR
Psychological Trauma: With
widespread emotional trauma from the
atrocities and losses experienced.
Human Rights Reflection: Leading to
the creation of the United Nations
(1945) and the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (1948).
Social Shifts: The war highlighted the
dangers of extremism and fuelled
movements advocating democracy,
equality, and justice.
Ethical Debates: Raised moral
questions about the limits of warfare,
influencing future international policies.
Cultural Legacy: Inspired literature,
films, and memorials that preserve its
lessons and underline the importance
of peace.
DEMOGRAPHIC
IMPACT OF THE
WAR
Massive human losses: It is estimated
that between 50 and 80 million people
died, including civilians and military
personnel. Civilian casualties were
particularly high due to bombings,
genocides, and famines.
Forced displacements: Millions of
people were displaced from their
homes, especially in Central and
Eastern Europe. This included refugees,
deportees, and survivors of
concentration camps.
Changes in population structure: The
war altered demographic composition,
with a significant decrease in the male
working-age population and an
increase in the proportion of women.
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES

United States: The United States became the world's largest economy and became the world's leading lender and supplier of goods
and technology. The dollar established itself as the global reserve currency.
Soviet Union: The USSR also emerged from the war as a superpower, although its economy was based primarily on state control
rather than the free market.

Bretton Woods (1944): In July 1944, the Bretton Woods agreement was signed, establishing a global financial system based on the
U.S. dollar. Institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank were created to regulate international
trade.
The dollar as the dominant currency: The dollar was consolidated as the world's main reserve currency, which facilitated the growth
of global trade and provided the US with strong economic power.
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES

Global economic division into two blocs: the capitalist Western bloc, led by the U.S., and the socialist Eastern bloc, under Soviet
influence. This division affected trade, alliances, and national economies. Eastern Europe and parts of Asia fell under Soviet control,
while many countries in Western Europe and Latin America aligned with the Western bloc.

The stability provided by the Bretton Woods system, along with the industrial boom in the United States and reconstruction efforts in
Europe and Asia, boosted global trade. So, countries began to reduce trade barriers and collaborate in greater economic integration.
This helped create a more interconnected global economy in the decades that followed.

Many European countries faced high inflation and enormous debts after the war. The need to rebuild their economies led to massive
indebtedness, and while the Marshall Plan helped mitigate some of these effects, public debt remained a long-term concern.
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES

Many countries in Asia and Africa, which had been under European colonial rule, began to fight for independence. This process
transformed the global economic landscape, as newly independent countries faced significant economic and social challenges, often
with agrarian economies and weak infrastructure.

The increase in production and industrial modernization led to higher employment and greater purchasing power for the middle
class. Mass production and consumerism became key features of Western economies, fuelling the creation of a consumer culture,
particularly in the United States.
 US AND USSR
Both powers emerged from the war as military and
economic leaders but with opposing visions of world
order.
DIVISION OF EUROPE
The Iron Curtain: Winston Churchill coined this
term to describe the physical and ideological
separation between the two blocs. This division
extended from the Baltic Sea to the Adriatic Sea.

Division of Germany: Germany was divided into

two states: the Federal Republic of Germany (West
Germany), aligned with the Western bloc, and the
German Democratic Republic (East Germany),
under Soviet control. Berlin was also divided,
leading to the Berlin Blockade in 1948 and the
construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961.

Military alliances: In the Western bloc, NATO was

created in 1949 to ensure collective defence, while
in the Eastern bloc, the Warsaw Pact was formed
in 1955 in response.

Impact on European integration: In Western

Europe, the division encouraged cooperation
between countries to avoid future conflicts, leading
to the creation of the European Coal and Steel
Community (ECSC) in 1951 and, later, the European
Union.
After WWI, the League of Nations was created to ensure world
peace. However, its inastability to prevent WWII highlighted the
need for a stronger and more effective organisation. Between
April and June 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San
Francisco to draft the Charter of the United Nations. So, this
Charter was signed on June 26, 1945, and entered into force on
October 24 of the same year, marking the official beginning of
the UN.

Its main governing body is the Security Council, wich has 5

members: the 4 victorious countries from the Second World
War and China. They make key decisions or use their power of
veto to block them.

They are overseen by a Secretary General, who represents the

member countries, which meet each year in the General
Assembly. Each country has one vote, but they has only give
non-binding guidelines.
 THE UN'S MAIN
AREAS OF ACTION
 UNICEF
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and United Nations Children's Fund
Cultural Organization. Its mission is to ensure the rights and well-being of
Foster peace and sustainable development trough children worldwide especially the most vulnerable.
education, science, culture and communication.

FAO
ILO
Internacional Labour Organization Food and Agricultura Orgamization

Promotes decent work, social justice, and labor World to eliminate hinger, improve nutrition, and
rights worldwide. promotes sustainable agricultural systems.

IMF
WHO
World Health Organization International Monetary Fund

Leads global efforts to ensure public Health and Its main goal is to promote global economic stability
combat diseases. trough international cooperación.
The consequences of the WWII, such as
the creation of the UN, the Cold War
and the division of Europe, shaped the
course of international relations and
left crucial lessons about the costs of
war and the importance of global
cooperation.
THE EMERGENCE OF THE WWII

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Christina Gabell Sabot (2024). Geography and History 4.2 ESO. Vincens Vives
 DEVELOPMENT OF THE WWII

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 CONSEQUENCES OF THE WWII

Consequences: Concept.of. (w.d.). World War II. Retrieved from https://concept.of/world-war-two/

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TYSM