WW2

🌍 World War 2

1. Treaty of Versailles

  • Signed in 1919 after WW1.

  • Blamed Germany (Guilt Clause).

  • Germany paid reparations.

  • Military restricted.

  • Lost territory (e.g., Alsace-Lorraine).

  • Created anger in Germany → rise of Hitler.

2. The Big 3

  • Lloyd George (UK): Balance punishment and peace.

  • Clemenceau (France): Wanted revenge.

  • Wilson (USA): Peace plan – 14 Points.

3. German Perspective

  • Felt treaty was unfair and humiliating.

  • Economic crisis caused by reparations.

  • National pride damaged.

4. Causes of WW2

  • Harsh Treaty of Versailles.

  • Rise of Hitler and Nazis.

  • Global depression = poverty and extremism.

  • Failure of the League of Nations.

  • Appeasement by Britain and France.

5. Guilt Clause (Article 231)

  • Germany took full responsibility for WW1.

  • Used to justify punishments.

6. Hyperinflation

  • Prices skyrocketed in 1923.

  • Money became worthless.

  • People lost savings, jobs, and homes.

  • Helped Nazis gain support.

7. Appeasement

  • Letting Hitler take land to avoid war.

  • Examples: Rhineland, Austria, Sudetenland.

  • Failed – made Hitler more aggressive.

8. League of Nations

  • Set up after WW1 for peace.

  • No army = weak.

  • Failed to stop Japan (Manchuria), Italy (Ethiopia), Hitler.

9. Hitler’s Criticism of Treaty

  • Said it was a “Diktat” (dictated peace).

  • Blamed Jews and communists for signing.

  • Used it to fuel nationalism.

10. Japan’s Leader

  • Emperor Hirohito – figurehead.

  • Real power: military generals like Tojo.

11. Germany’s Alliances

  • Italy (Mussolini) and Japan (Tojo).

  • Called the Axis Powers.

  • Aimed to expand territory.

12. Anschluss

  • 1938: Germany annexed Austria.

  • Austrians didn’t resist.

  • Broke Treaty of Versailles.

13. Invasion of Poland

  • 1st Sept 1939: Germany invaded.

  • UK and France declared war.

  • WW2 officially began.

14. Australia in Europe

  • Battles: Tobruk, El Alamein (North Africa).

  • Air force fought in Britain and Europe.

15. Wartime PMs of Australia

  • Robert Menzies – early war.

  • John Curtin – led through most of it.

16. Homefront (Australia)

  • Women worked in factories and farms.

  • Rationing: food, fuel, clothes.

  • Censorship: controlled news.

  • Propaganda used to boost morale.

17. Pacific Theatre Events

  • 1941: Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

  • 1942: Bombing of Darwin.

  • Kokoda Track: Australians fought in Papua New Guinea.

18. Australia in Pacific

  • Fought in New Guinea, Borneo, Solomon Islands.

  • Key role against Japan after Britain focused on Europe.

19. Australia in Europe

  • Army fought in North Africa.

  • Air force in bombing raids over Germany.

20. Pre-Pearl Harbor Alliances

  • Strong ties with Britain (Empire).

  • Shifted toward USA for protection later.

21. Fall of Singapore

  • 1942: British surrender to Japan.

  • 15,000 Australian POWs.

  • Shocked Australia – lost faith in Britain.

22. Japan’s Expansion (1931–41)

  • Took Manchuria (1931), invaded China (1937).

  • Took Indochina, Philippines, Malaysia by 1941.

23. Government Controls on Homefront

  • Rationing (butter, meat, petrol).

  • Censorship – no negative news.

  • Internment – Germans, Italians, Japanese detained.

🌍 World War II – Extended Concepts

1. Compare & contrast: Europe vs Pacific war causes

  • Europe: Treaty of Versailles, Hitler’s aggression.

  • Pacific: Japan’s expansion, lack of resources.

  • Both: Nationalism, military build-up, failed diplomacy.

  • Differences: Europe = revenge for WW1; Pacific = empire-building.

2. Evaluate cause of war in Pacific

  • Most significant: Resource scarcity.

    • Japan lacked oil, rubber, metals.

    • Led to invasions in Asia and Pacific (e.g., Manchuria, Philippines).

    • Caused tension with the USA.

3. Analyse consequences of Versailles

  • Germany felt betrayed and angry.

  • Hyperinflation and poverty = fertile ground for Nazis.

  • Created a desire for revenge in Germany.

  • In Asia, Japan saw Western hypocrisy, felt disrespected.

4. Explain effects on Germany and Western Europe

  • Lost land and colonies.

  • Economy collapsed under reparations.

  • Military reduced – humiliation.

  • Political instability → rise of Hitler.

5. Explain how Japan was affected

  • Felt ignored at Paris Peace Conference.

  • Racial Equality Proposal rejected.

  • Gained some German colonies, but wanted more.

  • Started expanding by force.

6. Australia’s role at Peace Conference

  • PM Billy Hughes wanted:

    • Germany punished harshly.

    • Keep control of German New Guinea.

  • Clashed with Wilson’s peace ideas.

7. Evaluate effect of hyperinflation

  • Savings wiped out, people starved.

  • Trust in democracy collapsed.

  • Extremist parties (Nazis) gained popularity.

8. Explain link: Treaty → Hyperinflation

  • Reparations = Germany printed money.

  • Too much money = value collapsed.

  • Economic chaos = unrest and anger.