---
title: "Short note: Impact of World War I and II"
subject: "Technology, Environment and Society"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_7/technology_environment_and_society:world-wars-impact-note"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/world-wars-impact-note
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Impact of World War I and II

Technology, Environment and Society · Chapter 3: Brief History of Human Civilization

- Asked in: 2073 Chaitra, 4 marks; 2070 Asar, 4 marks (asked 2 times)
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/world-wars-impact-note
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/chapter-3

## Question

Write a short note on impact of World War I and II.

## Short answer

World War I (15-20 million deaths) ended empires, caused the Russian Revolution, Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations. World War II (70-85 million deaths) created the UN, IMF, World Bank, Cold War and decolonisation, while advancing nuclear, radar and computer technology.

## Answer

The two world wars, **World War I (1914–1918)** and **World War II (1939–1945)**, changed the political map, economy, technology and culture of the world.

#### Impact of World War I

- About 15–20 million deaths; Europe's economy weakened and debts grew.
- Fall of four empires: German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and Russian; new nations formed in Europe.
- Russian Revolution (1917) led to the first communist state.
- Treaty of Versailles (1919) punished Germany harshly, which later helped cause WWII.
- League of Nations formed (1920).
- Technology: tanks, aircraft, submarines, chemical weapons, radio.
- Women entered factories; many countries gave women the vote after the war.

#### Impact of World War II

- About 70–85 million deaths, Holocaust, huge destruction.
- United Nations (1945), IMF and World Bank formed.
- USA and USSR became superpowers; **Cold War** and nuclear arms race began.
- **Decolonisation** of Asia and Africa (India 1947 and many others).
- Technology: radar, jet engine, rockets, nuclear energy, electronic computers, penicillin.
- Marshall Plan rebuilt Europe; welfare states and human rights (UDHR 1948) grew.

| Point | WW I | WW II |
|---|---|---|
| Period | 1914–1918 | 1939–1945 |
| Peace body | League of Nations | United Nations |
| Political result | Empires collapsed | Cold War, decolonisation |
| Key technology | Tanks, aircraft | Nuclear, radar, computers |

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which four empires fell as a result of World War I?
   A. German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and Russian
   B. British, French, German and Italian
   C. Roman, Mongol, Persian and Mughal
   D. Japanese, Chinese, Russian and German
   Answer: A. WWI ended the German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and Russian empires. (Key point: WWI empires)

2. Which peace organisations followed WWI and WWII respectively?
   A. United Nations, then League of Nations
   B. League of Nations, then United Nations
   C. IMF, then World Bank
   D. NATO, then Warsaw Pact
   Answer: B. The League was formed in 1920 and the UN in 1945. (Key point: Peace bodies)

3. How did the Treaty of Versailles relate to WWII?
   A. It ended the Cold War
   B. It created the United Nations
   C. Its harsh punishment of Germany later helped cause WWII
   D. It gave Germany new colonies
   Answer: C. Harsh terms on Germany created resentment that contributed to WWII. (Key point: Treaty of Versailles)

## Related in Technology, Environment and Society

- [Causes and impacts of World War I and II](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aworld-wars-causes-impacts) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 3
- [World wars impacts and population explosion](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aworld-wars-population-explosion) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 3

## Related in other subjects

- [World renewable trends and impact on Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fpower_plant_design%3Aworld-renewable-trend-nepal) — Power Plant Design, chapter 1