Second World War: Causes and Impact

The Second World War (WWII), which lasted from 1939 to 1945, was the largest global conflict in human history. The main causes of this war can be divided into several key interrelated factors, including political, economic, and social. One of the main causes was dissatisfaction with the results of the First World War, established by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. This treaty imposed heavy burdens on Germany, causing an economic crisis and national anger that fed extremist ideologies such as Nazism. In Europe, the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party was one of the main starting points. With effective propaganda, Hitler galvanized nationalism and exploited the pain of the economic crisis. Meanwhile, in Japan, the expansionist spirit and need for natural resources pushed military aggression towards East Asia, which culminated in the invasion of China in 1937. This act of aggression not only sparked tensions in Europe but also spread to Asia. In 1939, the German invasion of Poland had a major impact, forcing Britain and France to declare war on Germany. The alliance formed between the Axis powers — Germany, Japan, and Italy — gradually confronted the Allied bloc consisting of Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States. The impact of the Second World War was far-reaching and profound. Directly, this war caused the deaths of tens of millions of people and the destruction of infrastructure in many countries. The Holocaust genocide, carried out by the Nazi regime, was one of the most heartbreaking tragedies in history, in which six million Jews and millions of others became victims. Economically, many countries experienced total collapse. France and Germany, for example, took years to recover from the devastation. Meanwhile, the United States emerged as the dominant global power with a much stronger economy thanks to the development of the war industry. This war also changed the world’s geopolitical landscape. Once completed, the spread of Soviet influence and the formation of the Eastern Bloc and Western Bloc marked the beginning of the Cold War. International organizations, such as the United Nations (UN), were created to prevent future conflict and promote international cooperation. The Second World War not only changed the way countries interacted but also prompted social change. The role of women in the workforce increased significantly considering the large number of men who went to war. This paved the way for the civil rights and gender equality movements of the following decades. In Indonesia, WWII played a role in the decolonization process. The Japanese occupation changed the power structure and provided momentum for the growing spirit of independence. With so many changes resulting, the Second World War remains an important chapter in human history worthy of study and understanding.