Chapter

12 WORLD BETWEEN THE WORLD WARS

I. Conceptual Understanding

1. Write about the First revolt in the Russian revolution of 1917?

Ans.
• On March 8th, 1917, around 10,000 women of the capital, St. Petersburg, took
out a procession demanding ‘Peace and Bread’.
• Workers also joined them in this protest.
• Tsar Nicholas II was upset by these protests. He ordered the army to suppress
the demonstrators, even by firing at them.
• Instead, the soldiers also joined the demonstrators. In just two days, the
situation became so bad that the Tsar left his throne and escaped. Russians
made a Provisional government. This was the First Russian revolution of 1917
and it was called the March Revolution.

2. What was the aim of Enabling Act? When was it passed?

Ans.
• The famous Enabling Act was passed on 3rd March 1933.
• This Act established a dictatorship in Germany. It gave Hitler all powers to
sideline Parliament and rule by decree.
• All political parties and trade unions were banned except for the Nazi Party and
its affiliates. The state established complete control over the economy, media,
army, and judiciary.

3. How did the “Great Depression” affect people all over the world?
Ans.
• The Great Depression or Economic Depression began around the end of 1929
and lasted almost till 1939 when the Second World War started.
• During this decade, the economy declined worldwide because of a decline in
demand and a fall in prices.
• Factories were closed because the demand was low.
• So the Great economic depression started.
• People lost money in the stock market, therefore they stopped buying and
consuming goods.
• So the factories stopped production, which led to unemployment.
• This situation further increased poverty.
• Effects of the great economic depression were felt in other countries also. This
was because the economies of all European countries were linked to the U.S.
• This cyclical effect caused massive unemployment. The real incomes of ordinary
people, as well as governments across the world, also declined.

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4. Make a list to show allies, axis, and central powers, that participated with the
following countries on different sides of the world wars: Austria, USSR
(Russia), Germany, Britain, Japan, France, Italy, USA.

Ans: Allied powers in 1914:

• Russian Empire (Plus Poland and Finland)
• French Third Republic
• The British Empire
• Empire of Japan (Plus colonies)
• Kingdom of Italy
• United States (Plus overseas dependencies)

Allied powers in 1939:

1) U.S.A. 2) Britain. 3) France 4) USSR

5) Australia 6) Belgium 7) Brazil 8) Canada
9) China 10) Denmark 11) Greece 12) Netherlands
13) New Zealand 14) Norway 15) Poland 16) South Africa
17) Yugoslavia

Central powers in World War - I:

1) Germany 2) Austria- Hungary 3) the Ottoman Empire

Axis powers in World War - II:

1) Germany 2) Italy 3) Japan 4) Hungary 5) Bulgaria 6) Romania

Axis powers are called central powers.

5. How did the idea of nation-states and nationalism influence the desire for war
during World Wars?

Ans: The ideology of nationalism was a positive impulse.

• It was the foundation of the modern nation-states of Europe.

• But later it turned into aggressive nationalism.
• It is used to create pride in oneself and hatred against neighbours.
• Fascists in Italy tried to build images of victories with it.
• Nazis of Germany mobilized Germans against other nations of Europe.
• These incidents led to World War.
• Thus, we can say the idea of nation-states and nationalism influenced the desire
for war during World Wars.

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6. What are the different impacts of World Wars during the first half of the 20th
century?
OR
Write about the consiquences of the Wrold Wars.

Ans. The World Wars had a long-lasting impact on the politics, society, and economy of
the world. These can be enumerated as follows: -
• The enormous human cost: The first consequence of the wars was
widespread deaths and injuries. The two wars also established a regime of the
lethal arms race, particularly of nuclear and chemical weapons.
• Democratic principles asserted: The two wars also brought home the dangers
of having undemocratic governments and greatly strengthened democracy.
• End of Empires: With World War I the German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian and
Turkish empires came to an end. When World War II came to an end, the map
of the world changed ex-colonies rose to become independent nations.
• New international organizations: After World War I, the League of Nations
was formed to resolve disputes peacefully and the United Nations Organisation
(UNO) was formed after World War II.
• Decolonization: Because of world wars the big powers like England & France
became weak & were forced to give freedom to the colonies.
• Emancipation of women: After a long struggle for political rights like the right to
vote - British women got these rights in 1918. In the long protracted wars like the
World Wars, industrial production and other services are necessary. With men
away on the battlefields, more women had to work in factories, shops, etc. With
the confidence in being bread-earners, women began raising their voices for
equality in all walks of life. Getting the right to vote was a big step in that
direction.

7. Russian Revolution brought many changes in their society. What were they?
and what challenges did they face?

Ans. Changes in the Russian Society:

• Due to Bolshevik Revolution, Russia withdrew from World War –I.
• A socialist system was imposed on the country in which all the
businesses,banks&industries were taken over by the government.
• The land was redistributed to present farmers and food distribution was
temporarily improved.
• As many people were dissatisfied with the Bolsheviks, a Russian Civil war broke
out in 1918 and lasted until 1920.
• End of the provisional government
Challenges they faced:
• Famines
• Civil war
• Low standards of living
• Unemployment
• Lack of educational facilities

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8. What was the immediate cause of World War – I?

Ans. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by a Serbian fanatic on

28th June 1914 was the immediate cause for the outbreak of World War – I.

9. What is known as “armed peace”?

Ans. The division of European countries as the secret alliances between 1880 & 1914
created an atmosphere of fear and suspicious feeling against each other instead of
real peace. This is called armed peace.

10. Which was the policy of ‘appeasement’ of Hitler?

Ans. The Western capitalist countries like Great Britain were afraid of socialist
revolutions would start in other countries of Europe. So they encouraged Hitler and
the Nazis to come together against USSR. This was the policy of ‘appeasement of
Hitler. They wanted to please Hitler to get his support against USSR.
The appeasement of Hitler means neglecting all the actions of Hitler & allowing him
to expand his power with the hope that he will end communism In Russia.

11. What causes world war I and world war II

Ans. World war I
Long term causes:
Aggressive nationalism
Secret alliances
Imperialism
Militarism
Balkan politics
Immediate cause:
The assassination of Austrian King Ferdinand
World war II
Long term causes:
Humiliating terms of the treaty of Versailles
Failure of League of Nations]
German challenge to vengeful domination
Fear of socialism and Russia
Immediate cause:
Hitler's attack on Poland

12. Name some great empires before World War – I in Europe.

Ans. The Austro – Hungarian Empire (Habsburg Empire), the Russian Empire (Czarist
Regime), the Ottoman Empire (Turkish Empire), the German Empire (Deutsches
Kaiser Reich), etc.

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13. Write about Industrial capitalism.

Ans. Industrial capitalism means a method of setting up a huge number of industries with
the help of the availability of capital.
The capital might have been earned by plundering the colonies.
In industrial capitalism, industrialists gain all profits, not the workers.

14. Why couldn’t Russia return to full peace after the October revolution?

Ans. Russia could not return to full peace after the October revolution, because of the
civil war led by white armies of Russian monarchists and anti-communist soldiers
with the help of Britain, France, the USA, and Japan.

15. Who announced the New Deal Policy and what were they?

Ans. Franklin Roosevelt, who became the president of the US, announced “the New
Deal” which promised Relief to the victims of depression, Reform of financial
institutions, and steps to ensure economic Recovery. (The Three R’s) by
undertaking large public works funded by the American government.

16. What is meant by Social Security System?

Ans. The social security system means the various activities taken by the government to
ensure the economic welfare of the society.
Ex: Unemployment allowance, welfare benefits for handicapped and needy children
in families without fathers.

17. How did Hitler mobilize his supporters?

Ans. Hitler was a great Orator. He showed the dreams of better economic conditions to
the people of Germany.
He promised full employment for the people
Hitler also mobilized his supporters on the promise of establishing the racial
supremacy of Aryan Germans over the world and by targeting minority communities
like Jews as the main cause of all problems.

18. Write about rising of Nazism and Hitler in Germany.

Ans.
• The large mass of peasantry was affected by a sharp fall in agricultural prices
and women, unable to fill their children’s stomachs, were filled with a sense of
deep despair.
• There was an acute political instability as government after the government
collapsed and could not provide a stable rule.
• In such a situation Nazi Party propaganda stirred hopes of a better future. Hitler
was its unquestioned leader.

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• In 1928, the Nazi Party got no more than 2.6 percent votes in the Reichstag –
The German parliament.
• By 1932, it had become the largest party with 37 percent votes.
• Hitler was a powerful speaker. His passion and his words motivated the people.
a. He promised to build a strong nation, undo the injustice of the Versailles
Treaty and restore the dignity of the German people.
b. He promised employment for those looking for work, and a secure future for
the youth.
c. He promised to weed out all foreign influences and resist all foreign
‘conspiracies’ against Germany.
• On 3rd March 1933, the famous Enabling Act was passed. This Act established a
dictatorship in Germany. It gave Hitler all powers to sideline Parliament and rule
by decree.
• All political parties and trade unions were banned except for the Nazi Party and
its affiliates. The state established complete control over the economy, media,
army, and judiciary.

19. List the measures taken under the idea of a welfare state under the Great
Depression.
• Different measures were taken under the idea of a welfare state.
• These consist of unemployment insurance and old-age pension schemes.
• Others are sickness coverage, health schemes, child care, etc.
• A certain basic minimum dignified life for all citizens was ensured by the state.
• The state took care of their most elementary needs like food, housing, health,
child and old-age care, education, etc.

II. Reflection on contemporary issues.

1. In what ways were Jews persecuted by Nazi Germany? Do you think in every
country some people are differentiated because of their identity?
Ans
• Jews were merely 0.75% of the population of Germany.
• Nazi ideology depended on majoritarian principles.
• To build the racial supremacy of Germans they committed mass extermination
of minority communities such as Jews etc.,
• They arbitrarily arrested Jews and put them in concentration camps.
• Hitler blamed the Jews as the main cause of all problems.
• He also said communism and capitalism were conspiracies of Jews.
• In the holocaust, around 6 million Jews were killed.
• There may be instances in some countries where the people differentiated their
identities.

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2. How far Germany is responsible for World War –II. Explain.

Ans.
• Germany was responsible for World War – II.
• It propagated aggressive nationalist aspirations and advocated the superiority of
its race.
• Germany developed dictatorship and opposed the ideas of capitalism and
socialism, which create suspicion among the nations.
• Germany openly challenged the treaty of Versailles and gained military power
and attacked many countries to regain its lost territories. This created political
instability in Europe.
• Germany introduced compulsory Military training and raised the military budget
which resulted in a race for piling up war materials in all European nations.
• Hitler, the dictator of Germany attacked Poland on 1st September 1939; this was
considered the immediate cause of World War II.
• So in this way, it can be concluded that Germany was mostly responsible for
World War – II.
III. Reading the text, understanding, and interpretation:

Enfranchisement of women:

After a long struggle for political rights like the right to vote, British women got these rights
in 1918. In long-lasting wars like the World Wars, industrial production and other services
are necessary. Because men were on the battlefields, more women had to work in
factories, shops, offices, voluntary services, hospitals, and schools. With the new
confidence of becoming breadwinners, women began raising their voices for equality in all
walks of life. Getting the right to vote was a big step in that direction.

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IV. Information and Communication Skills:

A. Observe the following graphical representation of military expenditure,
and analyze the armament race.

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B. Read the time line and answer the following questions:

TIME LINE
Beginning of first World War 1914
Russian Revolution 1917
End of first World War 1918
Treaty of Versailles 1919
Formation of USSR 1922
Great Depression 1929
Hitler becomes the chancellor of 1933
Germany
Beginning of the Second World War 1939
End of the Second World War 1945
Formation of UNO 1945

1. What was the period of world war-I?

2. Name the organization formed after the Second World War.

3. When did Hitler become the chancellor of Germany?

4. What was the period of World War –II?

5. Which event has taken place in the year 1917?

C. Study the following table and answer the questions:

USA
i) The USA is a capitalist country.
ii) The USA is a democracy.
The USA has a multi-Party system:
iii)
Democratic Party, Republican Party.
The USA followed racial
iv)
segregation.
USSR
USSR is a Socialist Communist
i)
nation.
ii) USSR is a communist dictatorship.
USSR follows a single-party
iii)
domination system.
USSR did not allow free multi-party
elections, free uncensored press,
iv)
media, or even freedom of
expression and movement.

1. Which one is a capitalist country?

Ans. USA

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2. What do you mean by socialism?

Ans. Socialism is an economic concept that stands for equal distribution of means of
production & wealth for all the people.

3. Do you agree with the single-party system? Give one reason.

Ans. I don’t agree because a single-party system is not a feature of Democracy.

4. Which country’s policies do you like? Why?

Ans. I like the policies of America because it follows democracy whereas Russia has a
dictatorship.

D. Picture reading skills.

1. War is expensive and deeply affects people’s lives. Two posters in the USA were
created to get people to help their nation in fighting against the Nazis. What can you
tell about the images here?

Ans. Buying bonds means helping the nation by giving loans to the government.
Otherwise, the nation will be defeated and goes into the hands of the Nazis. To
protect the nation from the grab of Nazi Hitler and to win the war the people have to
help the government so that their future generation will be free from Nazi bondage
(shown as swastika).

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2. What do the cartoons convey?

Ans. In the first cartoon, Nazi Germany is shown as leading people to slavery.
But in the second picture, we notice that many people continued to believe the
propaganda generated in Germany that was biased toward the Jews.

V. Appreciation and Sensitivity.

1. What challenges were faced by Germany during Great Depression and how
did Nazi rulers and Hitler make use of it?
Ans:
• Germany was indeed, especially hard-hit by the Great Depression. The major
factor was the Treaty of Versailles.
• Payments made by Germany to the victorious allies represented a drain of
capital.
• International trade was triggered by the passage of the Smooth-Hawley Tariff
Act in the United States in 1930.
• Germany engaged in tremendous hyperinflation of its currency and it wiped out
the people’s savings.
• Workers lost their jobs or were paid reduced wages. The business was in crisis.
• The large mass of peasantry was affected by a sharp fall in agricultural prices.
Children suffered from hungry and women were in deep despair.
• The Great Depression helped Hitler to rise to power. He built trust among the
Germans. He appealed to the lower and middle classes with his great oratory
skills by setting up rallies and using propaganda, eventually rising to power.

2. Prepare a few slogans on the prevention of wars and promotion of peace.

Ans: NO wars, only peace
Peace is construction, war is destruction.
Avoid wars, promote peace
No to wars, go to peace

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3. Is Adolf Hitler a good leader, if so, what qualities do you like in him?
Ans. Yes, Adult Hitler was a good leader, the qualities I admire him are:
Country first ( He wanted Germany as a Greater country)
Visionary( Created a feeling as Germany was a superior race)
Brilliant in Policymaking:
Improved Weapon manufacturing to improve economy and employment
Military was Strategist
Exceptional orating skills
Nazi propaganda
Respect towards women

4. Write about Lenin.

a) Lenin’s full name is Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov
b) He was the founder of “The Bolsheviks party
c) Iskra and April's thesis were two important books written by him
d) He supported communism
e) He tried to promote peace

5. Prepare a pamphlet on Promoting peace

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6. Read the following paragraph and write your opinion on it.

“This started a great experiment of building a country without exploiters like feudal
lords, kings, or capitalists. The USSR tried to build a society that was industrialized
and modern and yet did not have inequality or exclusion of people based on birth
gender, language, etc.,
Ans:

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VI. Mapping Skills

A. Locate the following places on the outline map of the world.

1. Britain 2. France 3. Russia 4. USA 5. Germany 6.Italy

7. Austria 8.Hungary 9. Poland 10.Japan 11.China 12.Belgium

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