A Concise History Of The Second World War Its Origin Battles And Consequences

Merriam Press World War 2 History Series. In the history of human existence, no conflict has cratered the earth, its people and their ways of living like World War II. The battles that blazed across the globe from the late 1930s until 1945 caused more than sixty million deaths. This writing aspires to present the tale of World War II in a concise yet digestible fashion, and to stimulate the reader to delve further into its history. In addition to the "What, Where and When" of war, it is appropriate to consider what forces and flaws contributed to the war's emergence. This book begins with a review of the events and circumstances that gave birth to the conflict. Then comes a discussion of the war's action in every significant theater of combat. The book closes with the human and economic costs of the conflict, an evaluation of the intended and unintended consequences of World War II, and ethical questions the war has brought to the surface. 19 photos, 16 maps, sources.

Merriam Press World War 2 History No. 24 First Edition 2016 In the history of human existence, no conflict has cratered the earth, its people and their ways of living like World War II. The battles that blazed across the globe from the late 1930s until 1945 caused more than sixty million deaths. Almost every corner of society heard gunfire. Nations were destroyed, others founded, and some reconfigured. Philosophies of government were tested and frequently found lacking. Reputations were won and lost. Tyranny was commonplace. Some, but not all tyrants were toppled. For many decades now, civilization has shuddered at the brutal impact of this war. This writing aspires to present the tale of World War II in a concise yet digestible fashion, and to stimulate the reader to delve further into its history. Consider questions such as these: When, where and how did the combatants face the challenges of this brutal conflict? Who sided with whom, why, and what help did each participant furnish? Who evidenced courage and when did cowardice prevail? Where were the military successes and blunders? Were the techniques of war ethically appropriate? How, why and when did the fighting end? What were the intended and unintended consequences of World War II? Where did the loss of life strike hardest? What were the economic and social tolls and achievements? What of lasting value has civilization gleaned from the conflict? In addition to the "What, Where and When" of war, it is appropriate to consider what forces and flaws contributed to the war's emergence. The following may be found in almost any war, but all were abundant in World War II: Ambition for increased food supplies and natural resources. Hunger for territorial gains. Retribution for perceived wrongs. Expressions of nationalism. Critical alliances and failed compacts. Troubled economies. Expanding and contracting political power. Isolationism A contest between theories of government, e.g., Communism versus capitalism. Efforts to eradicate ethnic groups. Totalitarian regimes. This book begins with a review of the events and circumstances that gave birth to the conflict. Then comes a discussion of the war's action in every significant theater of combat - North Africa, Europe, the Soviet Union, Southeast Asia, the Pacific islands and Japan. The history is presented not in conventional prose, but in nuggets of information designed to provide substance without extended length. In any book on World War II, the author faces a challenge. Should all events be presented in pure chronological order, or is the material more comprehensible if divided in some logical way? I have elected to separate the events of the war into two parts - the European/North African battlegrounds and the conflicts in the Pacific theater. While this approach has the disadvantage of bifurcating the time line of events, hopefully it offers the advantage of an improved understanding of action in each major war locale. The writing closes with a discussion of the human and economic costs of the conflict, an evaluation of the intended and unintended consequences of World War II, and ethical questions the war has brought to the surface. 19 photos, 16 maps, sources.

Highly regarded for its concise clarification of the complexities of World War II, this book illuminates the origins, course, and long-range effects of the war. It provides a balanced account that analyzes both the European and Pacific theaters of operations and the connections between them. The Fifth Edition incorporates new material based on the latest scholarship, offering updated conclusions on key topics and expanded coverage throughout.

A definitive account of World War II by America's preeminent military historian. World War II was the most lethal conflict in human history. Never before had a war been fought on so many diverse landscapes and in so many different ways, from rocket attacks in London to jungle fighting in Burma to armor strikes in Libya. The Second World Wars examines how combat unfolded in the air, at sea, and on land to show how distinct conflicts among disparate combatants coalesced into one interconnected global war. Drawing on 3,000 years of military history, bestselling author Victor Davis Hanson argues that despite its novel industrial barbarity, neither the war's origins nor its geography were unusual. Nor was its ultimate outcome surprising. The Axis powers were well prepared to win limited border conflicts, but once they blundered into global war, they had no hope of victory. An authoritative new history of astonishing breadth, The Second World Wars offers a stunning reinterpretation of history's deadliest conflict.

World War II was the largest and most violent armed conflict in the history of mankind. However, the half century that now separates us from that conflict has exacted its toll on our collective knowledge. While World War II continues to absorb the interest of military scholars and historians, as well as its veterans, a generation of Americans has grown to maturity largely unaware of the political, social, and military implications of a war that, more than any other, united us as people with a common purpose.

The World in 1937 -- Japan and China, 1937-1940 -- Hitler's Border Wars, 1938-1939 -- Germany Re-fights World War I, 1939 fights World War I,1939-1940 -- Wars of Ideology, 1941-1942 -- The Red Army versus the Wehrmacht, 1942-1944 -- Japan's Lunge for Empire, 1941-1942 -- Defending the Perimeter: Japan, 1942-1944 -- The 'World Ocean' and Allied Victory, 1939-1945 -- The European Periphery, 1940-1944 -- Wearing down Germany, 1942-1944 -- Victory in Europe, 1944-1945 -- End and Beginning in Asia, 1945 -- Conclusion.

"The Origins of the Second World War explores the reasons why the Second World War broke out in September 1939 and not sooner, and why a European war expanded into world war by 1941. Richard Overy argues that this was not just 'Hitler's War' but one that had its roots and origins in the decline of the old empires of Britain and France and the rise of ambitious new powers in Germany, Italy and Japan. Any explanation of the outbreak of hostilities must be multinational in scope taking into account the basic instability of the international system that had still not recovered from the shocks of the Great War. In this third edition: The role of Italy in the approach to war has been re-evaluated; Overy addresses recent revelations about Soviet policy in the 1930s, particularly exploring Soviet military planning and preparations; Arguments about Chamberlain and his policy of appeasement are rethought and reassessed. This new edition has now been completely overhauled, updated, expanded and reset. With a comprehensive documents section, colour plates, Guide to Who's Who, and a Chronology, The Origins of the Second World War will provide an invaluable introduction to any student of this fascinating period."--Page 4 of cover