A People's History of the Second World War: Resistance Versus Empire
by Donny Gluckstein
Pluto Press, 2012 Paper: 978-0-7453-2802-7 | Cloth: 978-0-7453-2803-4 Library of Congress Classification D743.G6338 2012 Dewey Decimal Classification 940.54
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | TOC
ABOUT THIS BOOK
A People's History of the Second World War unearths the fascinating history of the war as fought 'from below'. Until now, the vast majority of historical accounts have focussed on the conflict between the Allied and Axis powers for imperialist mastery. Donny Gluckstein shows that in fact between 1939 and 1945 two distinct wars were fought – one ‘from above’ and one ‘from below’.
Using examples from countries under the Nazi heel, in the colonies and within the Axis and Allied camps, Gluckstein brings to life the very different struggle of the people's and resistance movements which proliferated during the war. He shows how they fought not just fascism, but colonialism and empire, and were betrayed by the Allies at the war’s end.
This book will fundamentally challenge our understanding of the Second World War – both about the people who fought it and the reasons for which it was fought.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Donny Gluckstein is a lecturer in history at Stevenson College, Edinburgh. He is the author of several books on Marxist history.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Spanish Prelude
PART 1: Yugoslavia, Greece, Poland and Latvia – Between the Blocs
3. Yugoslavia: Balancing Powers
4. Greece: Allies at War with the Resistance
5. Poland’s Warsaw Uprising
6. Latvia: Standing History on its Head
PART 2: France, Britain and the USA– Divisions Within the Allies
7. France: Imperial Glory Versus Resistance Ideology
8. Britain: The Myth of Unity
9. USA: Racism in the Arsenal of Democracy
PART 3: Germany, Austria and Italy – Under the Axis
10. Germany: Conservatives and Antifa
11. Austria: Resistance and Ruling Class Capitulation
12. Italy: The Working Class and the Two Wars
PART 4: India, Indonesia and Vietnam - Different Enemies
13. India: From Famine to Independence
14. Indonesia: Axis and Allies United Against the People
15. Vietnam: Anti-Imperialist Breakthrough
16. Conclusion
17. Chronology
Notes
Index
A People's History of the Second World War unearths the fascinating history of the war as fought 'from below'. Until now, the vast majority of historical accounts have focussed on the conflict between the Allied and Axis powers for imperialist mastery. Donny Gluckstein shows that in fact between 1939 and 1945 two distinct wars were fought – one ‘from above’ and one ‘from below’.
Using examples from countries under the Nazi heel, in the colonies and within the Axis and Allied camps, Gluckstein brings to life the very different struggle of the people's and resistance movements which proliferated during the war. He shows how they fought not just fascism, but colonialism and empire, and were betrayed by the Allies at the war’s end.
This book will fundamentally challenge our understanding of the Second World War – both about the people who fought it and the reasons for which it was fought.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Donny Gluckstein is a lecturer in history at Stevenson College, Edinburgh. He is the author of several books on Marxist history.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Spanish Prelude
PART 1: Yugoslavia, Greece, Poland and Latvia – Between the Blocs
3. Yugoslavia: Balancing Powers
4. Greece: Allies at War with the Resistance
5. Poland’s Warsaw Uprising
6. Latvia: Standing History on its Head
PART 2: France, Britain and the USA– Divisions Within the Allies
7. France: Imperial Glory Versus Resistance Ideology
8. Britain: The Myth of Unity
9. USA: Racism in the Arsenal of Democracy
PART 3: Germany, Austria and Italy – Under the Axis
10. Germany: Conservatives and Antifa
11. Austria: Resistance and Ruling Class Capitulation
12. Italy: The Working Class and the Two Wars
PART 4: India, Indonesia and Vietnam - Different Enemies
13. India: From Famine to Independence
14. Indonesia: Axis and Allies United Against the People
15. Vietnam: Anti-Imperialist Breakthrough
16. Conclusion
17. Chronology
Notes
Index