The destructive and devastating war that took place from 1st September 1939 to 12th September 1945 is known as Second World War. There were great changes that occurred after the war. Some of them are:
1. Heavy loss of lives:
About 12 million soldiers were killed and 25 million civilians were killed because of hunger, diseases, etc. About 24 million people became injured and handicapped in the battle. The atomic bombs dropped by US in Hiroshima and Nagasaki resulted in 160,000 casualties and destroyed the whole city. As a whole, Second World War was a very bad tragedy to mankind.
2. Loss of property:
The Second World War destroyed huge amount of properties. It was estimated that 1000 billion dollars was spent in the war. America alone had spent 350 billion dollars. The war had completely or partially destroyed buildings, roads, infrastructures, warships, and fighter planes.
3. Division of world into two blocks and beginning of the cold war:
The Second World War resulted the division of world into two blocks: capitalist and communist. The capitalist block was led by the USA whereas the communist block was led by Russia. They started criticizing each other and resulted the cold war. During the period of cold war, nuclear weapons were made which can cause heavy destruction in a very short time.
4. Wave of democratic changes in the world:
Most of the countries got freedom and democracy after the second world war. Imperialism was ended. People of many countries became aware against the undemocratic system and fought for democracy and independence.
5. End of colonialism: The imperialist countries became very weak after the second world war. National movements against colonialism started in Asia and Africa due to which countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Egypt got independence from British Empire. Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos got freedom from French empire.
6. Truman's declaration of faith:
After the 2nd world war, Harry Truman, the then president of USA declared to support war victim countries of Europe economically so as to stop the influence of communism. This declaration is called Truman's declaration.
7. The Marshall Plan:
After the Second world war, when Truman's declaration was done, George Marshall, the US foreign minister made a plan to support war victim countries. This plan is known as Marshall Plan as it was planned by George Marshall. About 12.5 billion dollars was spent by US to reconstruct the European countries destroyed from the Second World War. More than 17 countries were reconstructed in terms of food stuff, agriculture, transportation, etc.
8. The Molotov Plan (COMECON):
After the Second World War, the USSR had established the Council Of Mutual Assistance to provide the economic assistance to the European countries in 1949. This plan was proposed by Molotov, the foreign minister of USSR. The main objective of this plan was to support the European countries and to develop their trade and commerce.
9. Establishment of UNO:
After one month of the end of the war, United Nations was established on 24th October 1945. The League of Nations was established to prevent the world from war but it was unsuccessful. So, 4 years after the Atlantic Charter was signed by Franklin D Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, UN was established. The main objective of this organization is to maintain world peace and prevent the world from wars and terrible destruction.
Impact of Second World War in Nepal
Nepal got both positive and negative impact from the Second World War. Nepal also got changes in politics, economic and social status.
i. Nepalese soldiers were awarded world famous awards like 'Victoria Cross' and 'Military Cross' for fighting bravely from the side of British.
ii. Nepal was able to earn both name and fame for her honesty, bravery and loyalty.
iii. Due to the recruitment of Nepalese in British army, it became a source of economy for many Nepalese youths.
iv. Nepalese people got awareness against imperialism, autocratic rule which helped in the establishment of democracy in Nepal.
v. Nepal was given economic aid by the British government as she promised the payment of 1 million rupees to Nepal every year.
Negative Impacts of Second World War
Nepal was badly affected from the Second World War. Juddha Shumsher had sent 250,000 Nepali soldiers to fight from British side. Among them, 7544 were killed or disappeared, 23655 were badly injured. Nepal used to export copper in huge amount to Europe. But after the war, the European countries themselves started to explore mineral resources.
What sorts of political and economic effects were seen in the world circumference after the Second World War? Clarify in four points.
The Second World War took place from 1939 to 1945 AD. Almost all the countries in the world had participated in this war. After the war whole world was divided into two huge hostiles. One was led by Britain and another by Russia. Communism and capitalism were the fundamental economic policies.
Due to Second World War, different political and economic effects were seen in the world circumference. Some of them are mentioned below:
The Second World War destroyed huge amount of properties in the war. It was estimated that 1000 billion dollar was spend. Entire economy of the world concentrated on war.
Huge and destructive atomic powers were developed and bases of powers transformed from weapons to atom.
The United Nations got proper position in the world and has been more effective to control war in large scale.
More stable politics were seen in most of the world which ensured development of different countries.
What was the role of Nepal in the Second World War?
Nepalese soldiers had fought in the war on behalf of the British. They got a chance to exhibit their boldness, bravery and gallantry. They had earned a glorious reputation as brave Gorkhas. By virtue of their bravery many of the Gorkhali soldiers were awarded with the decoration of Victoria Cross. They are Capt. Gaje Ghale, Capt. Ganju Lama, Capt. Agam Singh Rai, Capt. Ram Bahadur Limbu, SubedarLal Bahadur Thapa, Rifleman Laxman Gurung, Tul Bahadur Pun, Netra bahadur Thapa, Sher Bahadur Thapa, and Bhanu bahadur Gurung. The British has paid an amount of 33.3 million rupees to Nepal Government as a mark of her gratitude to Nepal.
Not only this, she also promised to continue the payment of 1 million rupees every year since the second world war.
Highlight the Japanese in the battle of East Asia during the Second World War.
The Asian war began in 1937 after Japan attacked China. This time Japan sided with the Axis rather than the Allies. It wanted to control china fully. Axis seized the France on 17 May 1940. Now it was in fierce battle with the Britain. After US cut off its oil and raw iron in 1941, Japan attacked US naval power at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 under the leadership of the Navy Admirals Yamastisi. On its victorious path it was nonstop, japan extended its territory in eastern Asia and seized all Southeast Asia, richest in oil, food and metals.
World War I was fought very violently. Machine guns, grenades, airplanes, armoured tanks, submarines and poisonous gas such as chlorine caused unbelievable casualties. Armies fought in dreadful conditions such as in the muddy trenches against the barbed wire fence. Even civilian were injured in the war. As soldiers were killed and injured, older and younger men had to be dispatched.
In 1914 with appalling loss of life, Germany attacked Belgium and France but could not capture the Polish capital of Warsaw. In 1917, Russian armies quitted the battle fields due to a revolution in their land. The german attack on the US unarmed ships caused the United States to join the Allies in 1917. Finally, the Central Powers surrendered in autumn 1918. However, World War I was officially ended by an armistice signed in France on November 11.
After the defeat of Germany in World War I, the treaty was signed between the victories allies and Germany in World War I, the treaty was signed between the victorious allies and Germany on June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles in France. No Consultation was made with Germany. According to the treaty, Germany was blamed solely for the destruction and it was made to pay for the loss. Germany lost 13% of its land and 6 million people. It has to cede the following territories to different nations/organisation as specified.
1. Alsace and Lorraine to France
2. Eupen-Malmedy to Belgium
3. North Schleswig to Denmark
4. Posen and West Prussia to Poland
5. Upper Silesia to Poland
6. Saar and Danzig area to the league of Nations
7. The city of Memel to Lithuania, a new Baltic state
8. All overseas colonies to the league of Nations
Restriction on military
The German army was withdrawn from Rhineland; it was kept under Allied power for 15 years.
Germany had to keep only 100,000 soldiers. New recruitment was restricted.
Germany was not allowed to keep more than 24 warships.
It was prohibited from manufacturing warships, tanks and aeroplanes.
Compensation
Germany had to pay gold and other things worth 660 million pounds for reparation.
Coal production area of Saar was given to France for 15 years.
Consequences of World War I
1. Loss of life
World War I was a large-scale war and first of its kind. Advanced warfare techniques used in the war which caused horrible loss of lives and properties. More than 8 million people were killed, 6 million were badly injured and 13 million people received minor injuries.
2. Loss of property
About 36 nations were involved in the war. According to great economists, the total direct cost of war stood at about $186 billion. A huge amount of property, difficult to exactly estimate, was destroyed.
3. Destruction of industry
Due to bombardment, thousands of factories and buildings collapsed. Serbia, Romania, Belgium, France and England were very badly affected.
4. End of despotic rule
The Czar rule of Russia came to an end. Similarly monarchy was exterminated in Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey.
5. Rise of republic
Republican system of administration became popular in Europe. Russia, Germany, Poland, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Czechoslovakia and Ukraine became republic.
6. National independence
The Treaty of Versailles accepted the victory of nationality. So that new nations like Czechoslovakia, Albania, Poland etc. emerged.
7. Shift of the world power
Big empires like Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empires were destroyed. America became the centre of politics, military and finance.
8. Social consequences
Labour class became important. Social reforms were introduced.International Labour Organization (ILO) was formed. Feeling of cooperation grew. There was drastically decrements of the population due to low birth rates.
9. Development of technology
Poisonous gases and medicines were invented. Ships, planes, submarines, etc. were widely used in wars.
10. Establishment of the league of Nation
For world peace and security organization named the League of Nations was established which was the first international organization of the world. The assembly, the council and the permanent court of justice were its organs.
Role of Nepal in World War I
Nepal helped Britain in World War I. Prime minister Chandra Shumsher 75,000 Nepalese troops under the command of Babar Shumsher to fight for the British government. It is recorded that Nepal sent 1,06, 544 youths to fight in the war in the favour of United Kingdom. Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II has said, "I can send my army to fight any troop of the world but my heart shakes when I hear the name of Gorkhali soldiers." A number of brave Nepali soldiers were awarded Victoria Cross and Military Cross for their invaluable contributions.