To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically

Theme

T24 World Wars, interwar crisis, Great Depression & ideologies

What UPSC asks in this theme

Questions ask whether WWI was about balance of power, Germany's responsibility for both wars, the threat to democracy between the wars, and policy responses to the Great Depression.

What to cover

• WWI causes: alliances, imperialism, nationalism, balance of power
• Interwar: Versailles, rise of fascism and Nazism, failure of League
• Great Depression: New Deal, Keynesian policies, protectionism
• WWII causes

Writing the answer

• Give a balanced verdict on 'how far' questions

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 4 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.