ABSTRACT

This history of the causes, conduct and consequences of World War II aims beyond traditional military and diplomatic accounts to present the era in its broader context. Special emphasis is devoted to the United States and the impact of the war on American society. The role of women and Blacks in the labour force and armed services, industrial mobilization and propaganda, are just a few of the topics explored. An examination of the origins of the Cold War, the superpower arms race and the division of Europe sets out to show how World War II helped to shape the world in which we now live. The book is written for the general reader, and for use in courses of World War II and on recent American history.

chapter 1|16 pages

The War to End All Wars (1914–1921)

chapter 2|14 pages

The Illusion of Stability (1921–1930)

chapter 3|16 pages

The Collapse of Order (1931–1935)

chapter 4|17 pages

Descent into Chaos (1936–1939)

chapter 5|20 pages

The Dark Days (1940–1941)

chapter 6|23 pages

Japan Strikes (1939–1941)

chapter 7|17 pages

Japan at Bay (1942)

chapter 8|20 pages

War in North Africa (1940–1944)

chapter 9|17 pages

Attacking the Underbelly (1943–1945)

chapter 10|18 pages

Occupied Areas

chapter 11|20 pages

Americans at War

chapter 12|15 pages

The Eastern Front (1942–1944)

chapter 13|23 pages

Launching the Second Front (1944)

chapter 14|23 pages

Closing the Vise (1945)

chapter 15|23 pages

Across the Pacific (1943–1944)

chapter 16|24 pages

Japan Subdued (1945)

chapter 17|20 pages

Wartime Diplomacy

chapter |6 pages

Epilogue