WORLD WAR II (HIST3065)

In this course, students will learn the political, social and economic factors which helped to lead to World War II, including the rise of Nazism, the impact of the Great Depression, the weaknesses of Weimar Germany, political problems in France and Poland, the rise of fascism in Italy. The course then focuses on Germany’s invasions of Austria, Poland, and then the rest of Europe, including Russia, and the military resistance to these invasions. In 1941, the U.S. enters the war, and Japan’s role expands, which alters the global geo-military strategic map in dramatic ways from that point until the war’s conclusion in 1945. Students will learn of political leadership controversies and army decision-making on both sides, and how that affected the outcome of some of the war’s most important battles (land, sea and air). Both the Pacific and Euro-Russian fronts will be covered in substantial depth in regard to military strategies, political concerns, and the leadership roles of Churchill, FDR and Stalin. The role of the SS in Germany and conquered European states will be analyzed, as will the rising importance of the concentration camps through the early 1940s and how that led to money and resources being channeled to the Jewish extermination effort instead of to the German army on the war fronts. The impact of the war on global politics will be underlined toward the conclusion of the course. Students will be expected to do extensive readings of scholarly books, articles and original, primary documents, such as letters from military generals and soldiers’ letters. Evaluation will be based on quizzes, tests, research papers, as well on-line discussion forums, attendance and in-class participation. Cross-listed with HIST3065