Pearson Baccalaureate – World History:
Causes and Effects of 20th Century Wars
Comparative study of cross-regional wars p. 210-219
Causes of WWI vs. WWII
Comparisons World War One World War Two
Ideology Nationalism and social Darwinism Fascism, Communism,
(German nationalism particularly had Liberal Capitalist democracy
impact on both wars)
Imperialism German’s desire for colonies, tensions Germany, Italy and Japan all
between Austria and Russia over wanted to expand their
territory in Balkan, Britain wanting to empires, Britain wanting to
preserve its empire preserve its empire
Economic factors War = distraction from economic Great Depression =
problems in Germany and Russia protectionism and failure of
collective security amongst
Western power
+ economic instability
encouraged expansionism in
Germany and Japan
Militarism Arms race from 1871 as well as naval Failure of disarmament,
race from 1900 causing tensions growing militarism in
between Britain and Germany Germany, Japan and Italy
Alliances Triple Alliance and Triple Entente → Shifting alliances in 1930s
hostility and war plans (Nazi-Soviet Pact, Sino-
Soviet Alliance, Axis Alliance)
→ increased aggressions and
expansion
Contrasts World War One World War Two
Extent of tensions Europe Tensions in Europe as well as
Asia and Americas
Failure of peace There was no peace settlement before Treaty of Versailles had many
settlement WWI weaknesses and failed →
helped to create conditions
for Hitler’s rise to power
Collective action No intern. organization enforcing League of Nations whose
collective security, there were no collective security failed,
common policies aiming to prevent Britain and France aimed to
war → European powers were actively prevent war via appeasement
promoting self-interest policy towards Germany
Communism - Establishment of USSR →
increased fear in Communism
Causes and Effects of 20th Century Wars
Comparative study of cross-regional wars p. 210-219
Causes of WWI vs. WWII
Comparisons World War One World War Two
Ideology Nationalism and social Darwinism Fascism, Communism,
(German nationalism particularly had Liberal Capitalist democracy
impact on both wars)
Imperialism German’s desire for colonies, tensions Germany, Italy and Japan all
between Austria and Russia over wanted to expand their
territory in Balkan, Britain wanting to empires, Britain wanting to
preserve its empire preserve its empire
Economic factors War = distraction from economic Great Depression =
problems in Germany and Russia protectionism and failure of
collective security amongst
Western power
+ economic instability
encouraged expansionism in
Germany and Japan
Militarism Arms race from 1871 as well as naval Failure of disarmament,
race from 1900 causing tensions growing militarism in
between Britain and Germany Germany, Japan and Italy
Alliances Triple Alliance and Triple Entente → Shifting alliances in 1930s
hostility and war plans (Nazi-Soviet Pact, Sino-
Soviet Alliance, Axis Alliance)
→ increased aggressions and
expansion
Contrasts World War One World War Two
Extent of tensions Europe Tensions in Europe as well as
Asia and Americas
Failure of peace There was no peace settlement before Treaty of Versailles had many
settlement WWI weaknesses and failed →
helped to create conditions
for Hitler’s rise to power
Collective action No intern. organization enforcing League of Nations whose
collective security, there were no collective security failed,
common policies aiming to prevent Britain and France aimed to
war → European powers were actively prevent war via appeasement
promoting self-interest policy towards Germany
Communism - Establishment of USSR →
increased fear in Communism
