World Wars and India
8.1 First World War (1914-1918 C.E.)
Causes of the First World War
- Imperialistic Ambitions: European countries competed for more land to get raw materials and markets for their industrial goods due to new machines and increased production.
- Rival Groups: Powerful European nations like England, Germany, France, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed rival groups, leading to tension.
- Arms Race: Nations increased their military and naval strength, producing more destructive weapons, creating a war-like situation.
- Immediate Cause: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife in Serbia by a Serbian nationalist in 1914 led Austria to declare war on Serbia. This triggered alliances:
- Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria.
- Allied Powers: England, France, Russia, later joined by Italy and the USA.
Key Events
- Naval Battle (1916): Germany fought England at Jutland in the North Sea and lost.
- Treaty of Versailles (1918): Ended the war, imposing harsh terms on Germany.
- League of Nations: Formed to prevent future wars, led by US President Woodrow Wilson, but the USA did not join, and defeated nations like Germany were excluded.
Impact
- The war changed global politics and showed the need for peaceful solutions to conflicts.
8.2 Second World War (1939-1945 C.E.)
Causes of the Second World War
- Failure of the League of Nations: It could not stop conflicts or Germany’s growing power.
- Rise of Hitler and Nazism: Hitler rebuilt Germany’s military to overturn the Treaty of Versailles, focusing on racism and aggressive expansion.
Germany’s Aggression:
- 1938: Took Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia).
- 1939: Attacked Poland, a neutral country, leading England and France to declare war.
- Global Expansion: Germany conquered Poland, Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, and France. It attacked Soviet Russia, breaking a non-aggression pact.
- Japan’s Role: Supported Germany, attacked Pearl Harbour (1941), leading the USA to join the war. Japan captured Philippines, Myanmar, Malaya, Singapore, and reached India’s borders.
Fascism and Nazism:
- Fascism: Mussolini’s ideology in Italy, opposing democracy and promoting aggressive nationalism.
- Nazism: Hitler’s version of fascism, emphasizing racism, leading to the genocide of Jews.
Key Events
- Soviet Victory: Soviet forces defeated Germany at Stalingrad (1943).
- Allied Success: Allied forces captured Berlin; Hitler committed suicide.
- Atomic Bombs: USA dropped atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 1945), forcing Japan to surrender.
- End of War: The war ended on 15th August 1945.
Impact
- More destructive and advanced than the First World War, it reshaped global politics.
8.3 World Wars and India
8.3.1 First World War and India
Forced Participation: The British forced India, their colony, to join the war without consulting Indians.
Contributions:
- Soldiers: Over 10.96 lakh Indian soldiers fought in France, East Africa, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and other regions. 17 received the Victoria Cross for bravery.
- Resources: India supplied money (Rs. 19 billion), food, clothing, weapons, ammunition, and railway tracks worth Rs. 1.4 billion.
- TISCO’s Role: Tata Iron and Steel Company produced 1500 miles of railway tracks, aiding the Allies’ victory in Egypt, Palestine, and East Africa.
Economic Impact:
- Boosted industries like iron, steel, coal, and mining.
- Increased motor vehicles and transport.
- Food grain exports caused shortages and price rises in India.
- Exports dropped, causing a loss of Rs. 33 crores.
Military Lessons:
- Indian soldiers and leaders realized India’s outdated weaponry and lack of modern military facilities.
- A committee recommended reforms, leading to changes in the Indian military system.
- Administrative Reforms (1917): Lord Chelmsford and Edwin Montagu promised:
- Equal opportunities for Indian soldiers.
- A military academy in India similar to Sandhurst.
- Reduced cavalry and stronger provincial military units.
- Creation of the Indian Air Force and a new “Goods and Supply” department.
Congress and Defence Policy:
- Demanded military education, reduced defence spending, regional army units, higher posts for Indians, and a defence academy.
- Criticized British policies that prioritized their own interests.
- Lokmanya Tilak’s Role: Supported cooperation with the British, believing it would benefit India’s future. Advocated for a strong Indian Navy and equal opportunities.
- Jawaharlal Nehru’s View: Criticized India’s forced involvement, as it had no enmity with Germany or Turkey.
- Kamagata Maru Incident: A ship carrying Indian migrants was denied entry to Canada. On return to India, British officers killed 30 passengers at Bajbaj port, sparking public anger.
Indian Nationalism vs. German Nationalism:
- German nationalism aimed at conquest and racism.
- Indian nationalism focused on independence and democracy, supporting global democratic struggles.
8.3.2 Second World War and India
Forced Involvement: India was dragged into the war by the British, fighting in North Africa, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Greece, Myanmar, and Malaya.
Contributions:
- Indian Air Force and Navy fought in Assam, Myanmar, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal.
- Supplied dynamite, tanks, steel, railway materials, food grains, cloth, tents, shoes, medicines, and explosives.
- British set up factories in India to meet war demands.
- Azad Hind Sena: Led by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, it fought fiercely for India’s independence, taking advantage of British involvement in the war.
- Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis: Worked in China during the war, treating injured Chinese soldiers. Died in a plague epidemic in 1942, strengthening India-China friendship.
- Sam Manekshaw: Showed bravery in Myanmar, surviving nine bullet wounds and earning a Military Cross. Later became India’s first Field Marshal.
8.4 Impact of the World Wars on India
Economic Strain:
- British recruited Indian soldiers forcibly and imposed extra taxes.
- Prices of essential goods rose, and unemployment increased due to industrial recession.
Political Awareness:
- Indians realized British exploitation was the cause of their suffering.
- Workers, farmers, and the middle class joined the national movement in large numbers.
Congress’s Stand:
- Protested Viceroy Lord Linlithgow’s decision to involve India in the war without consultation.
- Opposed German and Italian dictatorship but also British imperialism.
- Demanded immediate freedom, promising support for the war as an independent nation.
- Refused to cooperate when the British ignored Indian demands.
British Weakness:
- The Second World War weakened England economically and militarily.
- Realizing Indian resistance and reduced profits, the British decided to leave India.
Global Impact:
- The wars led to the creation of the League of Nations (after WW1) and the United Nations (after WW2) to prevent future conflicts.
- India played a significant role in these organizations.
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