¶ … Origins of the Second World War, by A.J.P. Taylor. Specifically, it will critically analyze the book, its theme, and the author's methods.
THE ORIGINS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Author of "The Origins of the Second World War," A.J.P. Taylor, was a noted British historian who wrote widely on European and world politics, policies, and history. His views were often unorthodox and controversial. "Taylor practiced a legitimate revisionism that is found in every field of history. Similar revisionists included Daniel J. Goldhagen who has argued that a deep-rooted anti-Semitism in Germany caused the Holocaust, not just Hitler and the Nazi party" (Schoenherr). He wrote numerous books and publications, including "The Struggle for Mastery in Europe 1848-1918," and "English History 1914-1945." He also worked as a broadcaster for the BBC. He was primarily interested in English and German history, but wrote extensively on a variety of historic and political subjects. Taylor died in 1990, and is still "regarded as one of the most important British historians of the 20th century" (Schoenherr). His purpose in writing the book is summed up succinctly in the Preface, where he notes the book is "directed solely to the question: why did Great Britain and France declare war on Germany?" (Taylor v).
The Origins of the Second World War" is a treatise on the French and British entry into the war. It does not include theories on why the rest of Europe and even Japan became involved, Taylor's purpose is to expound his theories on Germany, and how their actions led (or did not lead) to a declaration of war from France and Britain. First written in 1961, and updated before Taylor died in 1990, the book discusses events from the First World War to the declaration of war in 1939, and assesses how each of these events added fuel to the fire that grew into World War II.
Taylor's writing seems a bit old fashioned and is sometimes difficult to follow. He gives much effort to the events leading up to World War II, which is of course necessary to understand the background leading up to war, but...
Governments turned out to be involved with original subjects for instance rationing, manpower distribution, home defense, removal in the time of air raid, and reply to job by an enemy control. The confidence and mind of the persons replied to management and publicity. Classically women were militarized to an exceptional degree. The achievement in rallying financial production was a main factor in secondary battle processes. Altogether of the power
Japan was particularly threatened by the construction of the Pearl Harbor base and the Panama Canal (World pp). On December 7, 1941, Japanese warplanes attacked Pearl Harbor, the largest U.S. naval base in the Pacific, and the following day, the United States declared war on Japan (World pp). Japan also attacked U.S. air bases in the Philippines, and immediately invaded the Philippines and the British Colonies of Hong Kong, Malaya,
World War II Russian campaign was the culminating event of World War II. German aggression against Soviet Union was an extremely fierce battle ever took place in human history. German troops met new kind of enemy in vast fields of Ukraine and swamp Byelorussian woods: Soviet armed forces were much stronger and experienced than any European army of that time, as German, and Nazi soldiers and their allies (Italians, Romanians, Hungarians,
Source: German Propaganda Archive, Calvin University This poster translates: "Unshakable, determined to fight, certain of victory! "(German Propaganda Archive). Typical themes in German Propaganda posters were anti-Semitism, a call to the labor force, support and loyalty for Hitler, paper and clothing drives, as well as special programs, such as programs to send children to the countryside for safety. Many of the themes overlapped with American messages. However, as one examines the collection
" Military History. [online] available: http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwarii/a/wwiieurcauses.htm. Shevin-Coetzee, M. & Coetzee, F. (2010). The World in Flames: A World War II Sourcebook. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Snell, J.L. (1962). The Outbreak of the Second World War: Design or Blunder? Boston D.C. Heath. Carr, F.M. (2005, January 1). "World War I to World War IV: A Democratic-Economic Perspective." Journal of Economics and Economic Education Research, 6(1), p. 117. Carr, p. 117. Shevin-Coetzee, M. & Coetzee, F. (2010). The World in
World War II, which took place from 1939-1945, was waged by the Allied Nations as a struggle for freedom against the evil and totalitarian regimes that existed in Germany, Italy and Japan. Leaders of the War There were several leaders that made decisions that contributed to the start and end of WWII. Adolf Hitler, who became the leader of Germany during the Great Depression, is blamed for WWII. He raised German spirits
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