ZIMSEC O Level · History · Form 3, Form 4
The First World War (1914–1918)
- Causes: alliances (Triple Alliance and Triple Entente), militarism, imperial rivalry, nationalism; the trigger was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo (June 1914).
- Africa: fighting in German colonies (Tanganyika, South West Africa, Cameroon, Togo); Africans served as soldiers and carriers.
- Results: millions dead; the Treaty of Versailles (1919) punished Germany; the League of Nations was formed; German colonies became mandates.
The League of Nations
Aimed to keep peace through collective security. It failed because major powers were absent (the USA never joined), it had no army, and it could not stop aggression (Japan in Manchuria, Italy in Ethiopia in 1935).
The Second World War (1939–1945)
- Causes: the harsh Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Hitler and fascism, the Great Depression, appeasement, and the invasion of Poland in September 1939.
- Africa: campaigns in North Africa and Ethiopia; African soldiers fought in Asia and Europe.
- Results: about 60 million deaths; the Holocaust; the United Nations formed (1945); the Cold War began; nationalism in Africa grew stronger as ex-servicemen returned.
Exam tip: Compare the wars using the same headings: causes, course in Africa, and results.
Check yourself
- What event triggered the First World War?
- Give two reasons why the League of Nations failed.
- How did the Second World War encourage African nationalism?
Show answers
- The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in June 1914.
- Any two: USA never joined, no army, decisions needed unanimity, failed to stop aggression.
- Returning soldiers had new ideas and skills, the Atlantic Charter spoke of self-determination, and colonial powers were weakened.
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