Following World War 1, the world saw major changes. Boundaries of nations changed. New nations were formed, Control of both sea and land areas including islands changed hands. Technology changes were rapid. These changes greatly influenced both the start and the conduct of the Second World War. Forms of governing also changed.
Before and during World War 1, most European nations still had hereditary rulers, Kings and Princes. Russia with its Czar. Germany with its Kaiser. The Austrian Hungarian or Hapsburg Empire split into two regions, each with its own parliament but with a single Emperor. There were constitutional monarchies and republics. After World War 1, many nations rebelled and wanted democratic societies. New nations emerged (or in some cases reemerged) from the Austrian Hungarian Empire – Poland, Czechoslovakia, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Yugoslavia, and Romania. Alsace-Lorraine returned to France. Republic of Ireland was formed. Russia gave up claims to Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and part of Poland, and Armenia became a country. Australia gained control of New Guinea, Nauru and the Bismark Archipelago. Japan gained control of most islands of the South Pacific. Belgium gained Germany’s African territories. The old Ottoman Empire (Turkey) gave up land which became Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Technology changes made major changes in the ability to fight war. Airplanes changed from bi-and tri-winged to single-winged and plane engines become more and more powerful allowing for much longer range and greater speed and also the ability to carry more armament and bomb loads. Ships became more sophisticated, faster and changed from coal to oil. Like planes, ships became faster and their range increased. Ships’ guns became larger and longer-ranged. Radar and the Norton Bomb Site were invented. On the ground tanks were larger and faster. New types of artillery and machine guns were developed. Rifles and handguns also became longer-ranged and more accurate. Better ammunition was developed.
Unfortunately, these changes also made it easier for countries to become more and more belligerent. Nations wanted more territory and wanted to settle old scores. The world was ripe for warfare and that brings us to the next section – WWII.
