Why in NEWS
On 6 August 2025, the world observed the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima, commemorated annually as Hiroshima Day.
On 6 and 9 August 1945, the US dropped “Little Boy” on Hiroshima and “Fat Man” on Nagasaki, killing thousands instantly, causing unprecedented destruction and long-term radiation effects, and leading to Japan’s surrender in World War II.
Key Terms / Concepts
| Term / Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|
| World War II | A global conflict (1939–1945) between Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) and Allied Powers (France, UK, US, USSR, China), resulting in around 50 million deaths. |
| Treaty of Versailles | Post-WWI treaty imposing harsh terms on Germany, fueling resentment and nationalism. |
| Policy of Appeasement | Britain and France’s tolerance of Hitler’s violations of the Versailles Treaty to avoid war, which emboldened Nazi aggression. |
| Blitzkrieg | German “lightning war” tactic using rapid, coordinated attacks by air and land forces. |
| Operation Barbarossa | Nazi Germany’s 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union, breaking the Nazi-Soviet Pact. |
| Indian National Army (INA) | Armed force formed by Indian nationalists with Japanese support to fight against British colonial rule. |
News Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Causes of WWII | Treaty of Versailles, failure of League of Nations, Great Depression, rise of Fascism and Nazism, policy of appeasement, invasion of Poland, Japanese expansion. |
| Key Events | Nazi-Soviet Pact (1939), Fall of France (1940), Battle of Britain (1940), Operation Barbarossa (1941), Pearl Harbor attack (1941), turning points at Midway and Stalingrad (1942–43). |
| Consequences | 70–85 million deaths, Holocaust, UN formation, Cold War, Marshall Plan, nuclear arms race, decolonization. |
| Impact on India | Economic hardship, Bengal famine (1943), rise of nationalism, INA’s role, weakened British control, independence in 1947. |
| India’s Role | Over 2.5 million soldiers contributed to Allied effort; INC opposed unilateral war declaration; INA allied with Axis powers; Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha offered conditional support. |
In a Nutshell
WWII reshaped global politics, accelerated decolonization, and ushered in the nuclear age. Hiroshima Day stands as a reminder of the catastrophic human cost of nuclear warfare and the importance of peace and disarmament.
Memory Code: “C-E-C-I” — Causes, Events, Consequences, Impact.
Prelims Questions
- Which event is considered the official start of World War II?
a) Attack on Pearl Harbor
b) Invasion of Poland
c) Operation Barbarossa
d) Fall of France - The policy of appeasement is most closely associated with which countries before WWII?
a) US and USSR
b) UK and France
c) Germany and Italy
d) Japan and China - The Indian National Army was formed with the support of which country during WWII?
a) Germany
b) Italy
c) Japan
d) Soviet Union
Mains Questions
- Analyse the role of the Treaty of Versailles and the policy of appeasement in the outbreak of World War II. 10 Marks
- Discuss the impact of World War II on the Indian independence movement. 10 Marks
Prelims Answers & Explanations
| Q. No. | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | b | Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939 led Britain and France to declare war, marking the start of WWII. |
| 2 | b | The UK and France pursued appeasement to avoid another war, allowing Hitler to expand unchecked. |
| 3 | c | The INA was formed with Japanese support to fight the British in Southeast Asia. |
