World Wars and International Cooperation: notes

World Wars

• First World War (1914 to 1918): causes included alliances, rivalry and the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The Treaty of Versailles blamed Germany.
• Second World War (1939 to 1945): came from the Versailles anger, the Great Depression, the rise of Hitler and appeasement.
• Africa's part: soldiers and resources; the war weakened European empires.

Working Together

• League of Nations: formed in 1920, failed to stop aggression because it had no army and lacked key members.
• United Nations (1945): keeps peace; organs include the General Assembly and Security Council.
• Regional bodies: OAU became the AU in 2002; SADC promotes development in southern Africa.