Myths of modern history : from the French Revolution to the 20th century world wars and the Cold War : new perspectives on key events

At a time when it’s all too easy to see history in black-and-white terms, historian Jacques R. Pauwels urges readers to let go of conventional history textbooks and re-examine historical events outside the bounds of conventional ideologies and agendas. Pauwels uses twelve key events, from the French Revolution onwards, to debunk well-known accepted historical narratives in the western canon. He challenges readers to rethink their views by compiling the recent work of specialized scholars whose research demonstrates that the facts contradict the myths that have been offered to explain these events. Beginning with a reconsideration of the impacts of the French Revolution, Pauwels finishes by dismantling the American narrative surrounding the use of nuclear weapons in the Second World War and the real rationale for the Cold War and the U.S.’s postwar global democracy project. Myths of Modern History Introduction Democracy Between Revolution and War Chapter 1 The French Revolution: A First Step Towards Democracy Chapter 2 The Road to the War Against Democracy Chapter 3 The Great Imperialist War Chapter 4 The October Revolution and its Legacy Chapter 5 “We Hired Hitler!” Chapter 6 “Hitler’s War”? Chapter 7 A Pact in 1939, Seed of Victory in 1945 Chapter 8 The Tide of War Turns in Front of Moscow Chapter 9 Pearl Harbor, a Surprise Attack? Chapter 10 The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Chapter 11 The United States, Champion of Democracy? Chapter 12 Democracy’s post-1945 Worldwide Rise and Decline Conclusion Capitalism and Democracy, Not a Love Story Bibliography Index About the Author Copyright Revisionist historian Jacques R. Pauwels challenges readers to reconsider what they know about some key events in the last 250 years of world history. "General and world history."-- Provided by publisher