The terrible repercussions of the First World War (1914-18) had a strong impact on the minds of the people and made them cry out for peace. President Woodrow Wilson of America took the initiative and made a plan for the establishment of a world peace organization known as the League of Nations.
WBBSE Class 9 League of Nations Notes
The League was established to prevent armed conflicts and to amicably settle international disputes, reduce armaments, and achieve international peace and security.
Many international issues arose after the First World War. At first, the problems were comparatively easy and the League was able to solve them by peaceful means.
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The League was too weak to deal with cases that involved the interests of the great powers. Its influence began to decline gradually. The League failed utterly to prevent war and to maintain world peace. The Second World War broke out in
1939.
United Nations Organization Overview for Class 9
The League of Nations collapsed under the impact of the Second World War (1939-45) and the Allied powers felt the need for a world organization for the peaceful settlement of international disputes.
In 1943 at the Moscow Conference, the Big Three (Britain, USA, and Soviet Russia) and Kuomintang China were unanimous that an international peace organization should be set up on the basis of equal status of all members.
Representatives of 50 nations met in San Francisco between April and June 1945 and prepared a charter for world peace called the UN Charter. On 24 October 1945, the UNO came into existence.
Impact of the League of Nations on International Relations
The basic principles of the UNO were:
Functions of the United Nations Organization
The membership of the UNO is open to all peace-loving nations of the world that accept the obligations of the UNO and are willing to carry out these obligations. If member countries persistently violate the principles of the Charter they may be expelled by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. The Security Council can also restore the rights of a suspended member nation.
The germs of the Second World War lay in the Treaty of Versailles (1919), which was imposed on defeated Germany after the First World War. It was a humiliating and shameful treaty for Germany, imposing drastic losses and unbearable burdens on her. The treaty made the Germans desire to have it nullified as soon as possible.
Important Treaties After World War II
The problems and needs of the victorious powers in the First World War were also not settled by the Treaty of Versailles. The new states. which had arisen in central Europe felt insecure about their fate. There were also rivalries over the political ideologies of democracy and dictatorship. There was also the challenge of communism.
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The Western democratic countries were not happy with the growing power of the USSR and the spread of communism in Eastern Europe, so they preferred to appease Germany and Italy.
Aftermath of World War II Summary
This emboldened Hitler. In 1938 he occupied Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Danzig on the Baltic Sea. On 1 September 1939, the German army marched into Poland. So Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3 and the Second World War started.
The war, in the beginning, proved to be highly favorable to Germany. From the end of 1944, the war situation began to change in favor of the Allies. In early 1945 the Allies launched massive attacks on Germany and the German armies surrendered. Japan’s surrender came a few months later when the USA dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
WBBSE Class 9 Second World War Notes
The Second World War destroyed far more lives and properties than the First World War. In Germany, Russia, and Japan several millions of people lost their lives.
The signing of treaties after the Second World War did not mean the coming of peace. Armed conflict ended but a cold war between two superpowers-the USA and USSR started.
International agencies like the UNO were set up to settle international issues and for the establishment of peace, but these have not been able so far to prevent the armament race, in particular, nuclear armament which is a great menace to world peace even today.
One positive result of the war was that the war weakened the old colonial empires and forced them to grant independence to their colonies which they had held for generations
In the early years of the 20th century, the political atmosphere of the European continent was quite tense. Europe was in the throes of a devastating First World War (1914-18). Another epoch-making event of the 20th century was the outbreak of the Russian Revolution (1917).
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The Russian Revolution brought an end to Czarist autocracy and established socialist Russia. The Czars of Russia’ were corrupt. Nicholas II had to abdicate the throne and Russia became a republic. The Republican Government was deposed by the Bolsheviks and they seized power. This Great Revolution is known as the Russian Revolution.
WBBSE Class 9 Europe in the Twentieth Century Summary
The First World War broke out in 1914 and ended in 1918. The war was waged between the allied powers (comprising Britain, France, Russia, and Serbia) and the central powers (comprising Germany, Austria, Hungary and Turkey).
The Treaty of Versailles was concluded in 1919 between the victorious allies (comprising Britain, France, Russia, Serbia, etc.) and defeated Germany after World War I.
Themes in 20th Century European History
After the First World War (1914-18) an international organization known as the League of Nations was established in 1920 to prevent armed conflict.
The Treaty of Versailles was a very harsh and humiliating treaty for Germany. Hitler bitterly opposed those conditions of the treaty by which Germany had been responsible for the war.
Economic Developments in 20th Century Europe
The Great Economic Depression of 1929 had a profound effect on every part of the globe. Faced with an economic crisis the Germans lost their faith in the Republican Government. The Nazis promised to nationalize the big business, provide employment for all workers and implement land reforms. It is not surprising that the people turned to Nazism for a remedy.
After the First World War, the political, social, and economic condition of Spain was not stable. In 1931, a General Election was held in Spain in which the monarchists were defeated. The democratic-Republican government was established in Spain.
However, the newly established Republican Government could not work successfully. The banner of revolt was raised in 1936 under the leadership of General Francisco Franco. The Republicans were defeated and Franco established a dictatorship in Spain.
The word ‘Revolution’ means change. The Industrial Revolution was a revolution in the system of production. It was a transition from handmade goods to machine-made goods i.e., from cottage industries to ‘big industries.
Social Changes During Colonialism Notes
Before the Industrial Revolution, simple machines were used. Small quantities of goods could be produced which involved long hours of hard work.
Due to the Industrial Revolution, huge quantities of goods could be produced with the help of machines in less time. The goods were of fine quality and cheap as well.
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The Industrial Revolution gave rise to the factory system. The people who had land, money or capital and were owners of factories were called capitalists. The workers in the factories were called labourers.
Components of the Industrial Revolution are-
WBBSE Class 9 Industrial Revolution Notes
Thomas Newcomen was the first to use steam to do useful work. John Kaye invented the Flying Shuttle. Another important invention, the Spinning Jenny, was made by James Hargreaves.
George Stephenson made the first locomotives which drew carriages over rails. James Watt successfully devised the system of using steam power to operate the machines. Richard Arkwright invented the Water Frame.
England first witnessed the Industrial Revolution for various reasons.
As a result of the Industrial Revolution two ‘isms’ grew. These were colonialism and Capitalism.
Colonialism is a system whereby in an attempt to increase profits and control markets and raw materials, countries try to dominate and control weaker nations and turn them into their colonies.
Capitalism is an economic system in which the principal means of production, Industrial Revolution, Colonialism and Imperialism distribution and exchange lie in private hands and are operated for profit. Society is divided among owners of industries and wage earners.
Two basic requirements of industrialisation are-
The regular supply of raw materials and Markets to sell finished goods. To meet their needs industrialised countries like Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Japan ‘started a scramble to establish colonies in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
These colonies served both purposes i.e., as suppliers of raw materials and easy markets to sell finished goods. Industrialisation thus gave birth to imperialism.
Imperialist rivalry among different countries of Europe was one of the causes of the First World War. With the outbreak of the Industrial Revolution huge quantities of goods were produced in various countries of Europe.
The establishment of industries and the accumulation of excess capital created the necessity for new markets for selling surplus goods and new areas of capital investment.
Colonialism and Imperialism Overview for Class 9
Countries like England, France, Russia, Spain, and Portugal had already established their colonies in different parts of Asia and Africa.
Though the Industrial Revolution came late in Germany, she became highly industrialised during the reign of Kaiser William II. Germany accepted an aggressive imperialist policy.
Different countries of Europe adopted a policy of aggressive imperialism to establish colonies in different countries of Europe which ultimately led to the outbreak of the First World War.
The French Revolution of 1789 was the most important event in European history during the 18th century. It broke out during the reign of the Bourbon king, Louis XVI. He ruled France of his own free will and believed in the king’s absolute power.
The revolution was not just directed against the absolute monarchy but was also a protest against social injustice and economic exploitation.
WBBSE Class 9 French Revolution Summary Notes
The French society was divided into three main classes called ‘estates’- namely, the First Estate, the Second Estate, and the Third Estate. The members of the first two estates were exempted from paying taxes to the state. So the entire burden of taxation fell on the Third Estate. This unjust system of tax collection played an important part in the outbreak of the French Revolution.
Understanding Causes of the French Revolution
In 1789, France became bankrupt. Louis XVI summoned the States-General, the representative assembly in France. The people’s representatives took the opportunity to seek redressal of their grievances.
Louis XVI wanted the support of the people’s representatives to levy new taxes. He failed in his mission and closed the meeting room of the States General.
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The representatives of the Third Estate assembled at the nearby tennis court and took an oath to disperse till they had drafted a new constitution for France.
The revolutionary ideas in France were preached and propagated by famous thinkers and philosophers like Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire. They criticized the tyrannical rule of the king of France.
Influenced by the French philosophers when the constitution framers were busy preparing the constitution, a large mob attacked the Bastille, the state prison on 14 July 1789 and set the prisoners free.
The States-General assumed a new name- Constituent Assembly. It drew up a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. The absolute power of the king was taken away and he was made a constitutional monarch.
In September 1792, a new body known as the National Convention met and drew up a revised constitution abolished the monarchy, and declared France a Republic.
In 1793, the king was found guilty of treason. Louis XVI was sentenced to death by a court on a charge of treason. He was guillotined on January 21.
With the execution of the king, the supporters of the monarchy burst out in rebellion. Moreover, the Republican French government became involved in a war with monarchical countries such as Holland, Spain, Austria, and Prussia.
Key Events of the French Revolution for Class 9
To save France from this critical situation, the French government unleashed a ‘Reign of Terror’ (September 1793-July 1794) which suppressed all opposition. More than 20,000 people were executed. With the execution of Robespierre, the Reign of Terror came to an end.
In August 1795, a new government known as the ‘Directory’ came to power. Its authority was vested in a body of five Directors. There were now internal rebellions in France and the task of combating the danger was entrusted to Napoleon Bonaparte.
Napoleon Bonaparte was an army general who overthrew the Directory and assumed supreme power. His rise to power marked the end of the period which is distinctively called the French Revolution.
Napoleon Bonaparte is known as one of the greatest generals in the world. He was born in 1769 in Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean Sea, ruled by the French. At the age of 15, he became an officer in the French army.
In 1789, a great revolution broke out in France. The King and the queen were executed. Spain and England attacked France to put an end to the French Revolution. Napoleon defeated them.
Understanding Nationalism in Chapter 2
When Austria attacked France, Napoleon defeated the Austrian army too. Napoleon next started attacking his neighbors. The Czar of Russia, Alexander I, agreed with Napoleon. Only Britain remained outside Napoleon’s influence.
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Napoleon decided to attack Britain. Nelson, the British admiral, defeated Napoleon in the Battle of the Nile. Napoleon managed to return to Paris and took over the government. He was made the First Consul and in 1804, he became the emperor of France.
Napoleon introduced a new legal code known as Code Napoleon. He centralized the administration, established a national educational network, reduced the power of the church, and abolished serfdom.
WBBSE Class 9 Revolutionary Ideals Notes
Napoleon charmed the people by protecting the valued fruits of the Revolution like equality before the law and gave ability the highest credit for appointment and promotion.
As an emperor, Napoleon reshaped Europe. By 1807, Napoleon’s armies had taken over nearly the whole of Europe, Germany, Italy, Holland, Prussia, Switzerland, Spain, Naples, Denmark, and Portugal were part of his empire. Except for Britain and Russia, the whole of Europe came under his control.
Napoleon adopted the policy of economic blockade against the English which is known as the Continental System. He forbade all his allies from engaging in trade with England.
Many sea battles were fought between the English and the French. England attacked France through Spain and Portugal. Next, Napoleon attacked Russia. He lost his grand army in Russia.
Napoleonic Empire Overview for Class 9
After this disaster, the rest of Europe joined hands with the English armies which then entered Paris and defeated Napoleon in 1814. He was sent as a prisoner to Elba.
A new king, Louis XVIII, was crowned in France. A year later, Napoleon escaped and came to power again, but only for 100 days.
Napoleon tried to drive away the foreign allied troops but was defeated in the Battle. of Waterloo in 1815. He was sent to St. Helena. He died there six years later, at the age of 51.
The defeat of Napoleon, the French emperor in the Battle of Waterloo (1815) meant the overthrow of the vast empire he had built. It was necessary to decide the fate of the territories which Napoleon, had conquered. So the leaders who played the most important part in defeating Napoleon met in Vienna (1815) to draw up a new map of Europe.
Nationalism in Italy and Germany
Metternich was the most powerful personality with the greatest influence on European politics in the post-Napoleonic period.
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The period between the Vienna Settlement and the Revolution of 1848 came to be known as the ‘Age of Metternich’. Metternich devised a system that aimed at maintaining peace and security in Europe as well as preventing the spread of progressive ideas.
The spirit propagated by the French Revolution created problems. The concept of nationalism and nation-state was championed by the people. Thus a conflict between monarchical and nationalist forces arose. The conflict ultimately ended in the triumph of liberalism’s overreaction.
Understanding the Vienna Settlement
WBBSE Class 9 Europe 19th Century Notes
The Vienna Settlement (1815) restored the old ruling families to their respective thrones. Moreover, it stood for the restoration of pre-revolution conditions but the Vienna Congress completely ignored the will of the common people.
The people now demanded the right to participate in the government. Thus there was a conflict between monarchical and. nationalist ideals. In monarchical states like France, Austria, and other countries, people launched movements for democratic rights.
Suppressed nationalities like the Germans, Italians, and Hungarians started movements for the establishment of nation-states. Italy and Germany emerged as nation-states.
The hopes and aspirations of the Christian nationalities in the Balkan region gave rise to complex problems. In 1854, the Crimean War broke out. The Treaty of Paris brought an end to it in 1856 but it failed to resolve the ‘Eastern Question’.
Revolutions of 1830 and 1848 Notes
In Russia also revolutionary forces were increasingly active. Czar Alexander II passed the Emancipation Statute which generated new socio-political and intellectual forces- this clashed with the existing political framework of Czarist absolution.
The nationalistic and democratic ideals of the French Revolution influenced the Greeks and they also started their struggle for freedom. The Greek struggle for independence began with the activities of secret societies. The Greeks ultimately severed themselves from Turkish domination and came to be recognized as an independent state.
