The Second World War: Causes and Impact on Africa

Causes of the Second World War

Immediate Causes of the Second World War

1. Japanese attack on Manchuria - In 1931 Japan invaded the part of China (Manchuria) and created a new state called Manchukuo. Unfortunately, the League of Nations did not punish Japan for her aggression and in 1933 Japan decided to quit the League of Nations. The silence of the League of Nations sparked terrorist ambitions among fascist nations.

2. Ethiopia crisis in 1935 - Benito Mussolini of Italy invaded Ethiopia; this attempt was contrary to the League of Nations charter, which required all members to settle their differences through it. Furthermore, Italy withdrew from the League of Nations in order to prepare for military war.

3. Hitler's aggressive policies - Since the 1930s Hitler began to violate the Versailles peace treaty, which accused Germany of being causative of the First World War. In 1933 Germany withdrew from the League of Nations and continued with her aggression of invading other nations in order to create a stronger Germany and expand her territories.

4. Russo-German Non-Aggression Pact - In 1939, Russia suddenly signed a non-aggression treaty with Germany that freed Hitler from the danger of two-front wars and agreed to divide East European area, particularly Poland, between them.

5. Hitler's ultimatum to Poland - Hitler demanded German control of a strip of land across the Polish Corridor, which separated East Prussia from the main part of Germany. When Poland refused these demands, Hitler declared war on Poland in September 1939.

Long Term Causes

1. The Impact of Versailles peace treaty on Germany - Under this treaty, Germany lost her colonies and had to pay war reparations to the winners. This situation made Germany to demand for the lost colonies through war, hence the outbreak of Second World War.

2. The economic depression during inter war period - In order to solve the problem of Great Depression, some imperialist nations allied more and more in exploitation of their colonies. Germany, Italy and Japan had to find alternative solutions.

3. Formation of Military alliances - Such as Axis Powers and Allied Powers greatly accelerated the war.

4. Rise of Fascism and Nazism - These were ideologies developed in Germany (Nazism) and Italy (Fascism). Prestige Germany believed to be a superior race and wanted to control the whole world.

5. Failure of League of Nations to defend world peace - E.g. failure to prevent invasion of Ethiopia by Italy in 1935.

6. The impact of Great Economic Depression - Unemployment, high cost of living etc. The imperialist nations relied on colonies to solve this problem, so nations with no colonies such as Germany, Italy and Japan had to work for alternative solutions.

7. Hitler's aggressive policy - Repeated.

Impacts of the Second World War on Africa

1. Increase of exploitation in Africa - Apart from introducing agricultural schemes, they also created marketing boards, increase of taxation, land alienation, intensive forced labor, low wages and long working hours.

2. Introduction of cash production - This was implemented differently in different areas such as the Nachingwea scheme dealing with groundnuts production.

3. It contributed to the rise of Nationalist ideologies to Africans - Africans became politically conscious after the return of Ex-soldiers from war who acted as the catalyst on leading people to struggle for Nationalism as they had acquired many skills and tactics. Hence, they had to apply them for the liberation of their nations and fellow Africans.

4. It led to the rise of USA and USSR as world economic powers - Both USA and USSR played a significant role in the decolonization of Africa through different approaches. For example, USA propagated for Nationalism of Africa in order to get access to exploiting Africa through Neo-colonialism while USSR on its side supported Africa through anti-colonial movements.

5. Fall of African economy - This was triggered by the recruitment of Africa's energetic people to war, while they were the ones who were the main producers. Following the fall of African economy, many African facilities collapsed and led to dependence nature economy to many African countries.

6. Depopulation of African people - The number of African people decreased since some died on the battle while fighting as recruited soldiers, some died of hunger and starvation as their total unrest during the war as producers were recruited as soldiers. Hence there was no production also communicable diseases like cholera, diarrhea, influenza, smallpox etc. killed many people.