World Wars & Their Impact

Learning Objective: Explain causes, consequences, and global impact of world wars

Nepal's Connection to Global Conflict

You might think the World Wars were distant European events, but Nepal was directly involved. Over 200,000 Gurkha soldiers from Nepal fought in World War I and World War II as part of the British Indian Army. Their bravery in battles from Gallipoli to Monte Cassino earned them legendary status and numerous Victoria Crosses. Understanding these wars helps you see how global events shaped your own country.

World War I (1914--1918)

Causes: The war erupted from a web of interconnected factors:

• Alliance systems -- Europe was divided into the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, Britain)
• Imperialism -- rival European powers competed for colonies in Africa and Asia
• Nationalism -- ethnic tensions, especially in the Balkans
• Militarism -- an arms race, particularly between Britain and Germany
• The spark: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, by a Serbian nationalist

Consequences: The war killed approximately 20 million people (military and civilian). It collapsed four empires: the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and German. The Treaty of Versailles (1919) imposed harsh reparations on Germany, sowing seeds of resentment that would fuel World War II.

The League of Nations, proposed by US President Woodrow Wilson, was established in 1920 as the first international organization dedicated to maintaining world peace. However, it proved weak -- the US never joined, and it could not prevent aggression by Japan, Italy, and Germany in the 1930s.

Nepal's role: Rana-ruled Nepal sent approximately 100,000 Gurkha soldiers to fight for the British, strengthening the Rana regime's relationship with Britain while earning Nepal continued recognition of its sovereignty.

World War II (1939--1945)

Causes: The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany, fueled by the humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles, economic depression, and extreme nationalism. Hitler's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 triggered the war.

The conflict was fought between the Allied Powers (Britain, France, USSR, USA, China) and the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan). It was the deadliest conflict in human history, killing an estimated 70--85 million people, including the Holocaust -- the systematic murder of 6 million Jews.

Key events include the Battle of Stalingrad (1942--43), the D-Day invasion of Normandy (June 6, 1944), and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 6 and 9, 1945), which led to Japan's surrender.

The United Nations was founded on October 24, 1945, replacing the failed League of Nations. Nepal became a UN member on December 14, 1955, and has since been a significant contributor to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.

Think Critically

Nepal was never colonized, yet its soldiers fought in colonial wars. What does this tell us about the complex relationship between Nepal and the British Empire? Were the Gurkha soldiers heroes, victims of exploitation, or both?

Summary

• WWI (1914--1918) was caused by alliance systems, imperialism, nationalism, and militarism, and killed 20 million people.
• The League of Nations (1920) failed to prevent future conflict.
• WWII (1939--1945) killed 70--85 million people and ended with atomic weapons.
• The United Nations (1945) was created to maintain international peace; Nepal joined in 1955.
• Over 200,000 Nepali Gurkha soldiers fought across both wars, linking Nepal directly to global history.