Asian History Notes 4th Quarter

WWI (1914-1918)
Allies: France, England, Russia
Axis: Hungary, Austria, Germany

WWII (1939-1945)
Allies: Japan, Italy, Germany
Axis: France, England, United States of America

World War I (1914-1918) "The War to End all Wars"
Allies: France, England, Russia
Axis: Hungary, Austria, Germany
Causes:

1. Competition for territory/Expansion Policy/Spheres of Influence
2. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand from Austria
3. Alliance Systems
4. Nationalistic Beliefs
5. Militarism
6. Economic Interests

Effects

1. European countries were weakened by the length, hardship and expense of the war
2. Entry of Europeans in West Asia
3. Central Powers were defeated

The Treaty of Versailles - damaged Germany and injured pride
- pay $33 million
- forced to give up territories to Belgium, France, Poland
- were forbidden to use submarines & aircraft
- reduce number of army members

Results

1. Allied victory
2. End of German, Russian, Ottoman & Austro-Hungarian empires
3. Foundation for new countries in Europe & the Middle East
4. League of Nations

-President Wilson of America (U.S.A.) promoted peace & encouraged cooperation among nations


World War II (1939-1945) "The Most Expensive War"
Personalities: Hirohito, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler
Allies: Japan, Italy, Germany
Axis: France, England, United States of America

Causes:

1. Fascism & Extreme Nationalism
2. Economic depression & instability
3. Failure of the Treaty of Versailles
4. Failure of the league of Nations (U.S. refused to join)
5. Attempt to conquer continents "Expansion"

*Japan got involved because of the Sino-Japanese War (1937) & attack at Pearl Harbor (1941)
*U.S. got involved because of the sinking of the unarmed British boat Lusitania

Effects:

1. U.S. and soviet Union became the chief World Powers
2. United Nations was formed, World Bank
3. Germany was divided into east (communist) & west [like Korea]
4. Japan got westernized
5. Most expensive war, wasted more than 1 Trillion $
6. Damage in properties in European and Asia... (Pacific Islands & Africa)

Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki ended World War II

Thailand remained a neutral country
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia got their independence

Deadliest Conflict in Human History or Most Blood Shedding War
Most Widespread War in History
Most Expensive War

JAPAN

• Emperor - symbol of the state
• more democratic form of gov't

SEA

• Independence
  

South Asia

• Independence of India & Pakistan

East Asia

• Division of K0rea, North & South

China

• rivalry between nationalist & communist

Germany

• division: east & west

Germany was divided into 4 quadrants which were controlled by the Allied Powers - the U.S., U.K., France & the USSR
-redrawing of European Borders
-Communist takeover of China & Eastern Europe
-Creation of Israel
-Westernization of Japan
-Division of Germany & Korea
-Improvement in Technology