Research Catalog

Title

• The origins of the Second World War / Richard Overy.

Author

Overy, R. J.

Publication

Harlow, England ; New York : Pearson Longman, 2008.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Description

xxxi, 150 p., 8 p. of plates : ill. (chiefly col.), maps; 24 cm.

Summary

"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.

Series Statement

• Seminar studies in history

Uniform Title

Seminar studies in history.

Subject

• Europe > Politics and government > 1918-1945
• World War, 1939-1945 > Causes

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. [133]-144) and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Explaining the Second World War -- The international crisis. The collapse of the League ; France and Britain ; America and the Soviet Union ; From the Rhineland to Munich -- Economic and imperial rivalry. The imperial powers ; The "have-not" powers ; The failure of "economic appeasement" -- Armaments and domestic politics. Rearmament ; Finance, industry and labour ; Rearmament and domestic politics -- War over Poland. The aftermath of Munich ; The Soviet factor ; The outbreak of the war -- From European to world war. The war in the west ; Barbarossa ; The coming of world war -- Hitler's war?

ISBN

• 9781405824699
• 1405824697

LCCN

^^2008006011

OCLC

191898290

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library