World War II in global perspective / Andrew Buchanan.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

World War I and the Postwar Settlement -- The Rise of American Power -- Europe in the 1920s -- Revolution and Counter-Revolution in Russia -- Japan, China and the Deepening Conflict in Asia -- The New Deal -- Depression and Military Expansionism in Japan -- The Rise of Nazi Germany -- Towards the Axis Alliance -- Moscow and the Search for 'Collective Security' -- Popular Front in France and Civil War in Spain -- Anschluss, Appeasement, and Rearmament -- Towards an Asian War -- Towards a European War -- 'Winter War' in Finland -- German Lebensraum in Poland -- The German Domination of Scandinavia -- Anglo-French Plans and Imperial Mobilizations -- Summer 1940: The Fall of France -- The Battle of Britain -- New Strategic Choices -- The Tripartite Pact -- Berlin Turns East -- Tokyo Turns South -- Rome's 'Parallel War' -- Italy Pulls Germany into the Mediterranean -- War and Nationalism in the Middle East -- Operation Barbarossa -- The Shoah -- Barbarossa and the Emerging World War -- Pearl Harbor and World War -- Japan's Centrifugal Offensive -- The Arcadia Conference.

"A comprehensive review of World War II that offers a global-level analysis Written for academics and students of history, World War II in Global Perspective, 1931-1953 presents a dynamic and global account of the historical events prior to, during, and after World War II. The author—a noted expert on the topic—explores the main theaters of the war and discusses the connections between them. He also examines the impact of the war on areas of the world that are often neglected in historical accounts, including Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and the so-called ‘neutral’ countries. This comprehensive text clearly shows how in the struggle against the Axis powers, the United States replaced Britain as the global superpower. The author discusses the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and the Korean War (1950-1953) and argues that the core years of the war (1939-1945) cannot be understood without considering the turbulent events that framed them. The text puts World War II in context as a series of large regional conflicts that intersected and overlapped, finally emerging as a genuine “world war” with the formal entry of the United States in late 1941. This vital text:  Offers a comprehensive review of World War II that frames it in a global context Gives weight to the economic and political developments of the war Provides a robust account of the main military campaigns Contains illustrations and maps that themselves highlight little-known aspects of the global war"-- Provided by publisher.

"This book was enriched by the contributions of numerous students, colleagues, and friends. It benefitted--whether they know it or not-- from the collective participation of hundreds of students who have taken my class on World War II at the University of Vermont over the last ten years. In particular, I would like to thank the students who took part in an informal seminar on the first few chapters: they include Alex Ellis, Colby Fisher, Sarah Jauris, Oliver Moore, and Jacob Reich. These undergraduates were joined by Bill Ryan and Richard Piliero, lifelong students who have audited my classes more times than they care to remember. A draft was discussed at an informal seminar held at the Grange Hall in my hometown of Whallonsburg over a long upstate New York winter: participants included: Andrea Barret, Mary-Nell Bockman, Ted Cornell, Barry Goldstein, Rev. Craig Hacker, Adam Reed, David Reuther, Margie Reuther, Bethany Teitelbaum, Richard Teitelbaum, and Colin Wells. I also thank Mike Baumann for his constructive criticism"-- Provided by publisher.