The Origins of World War II (American History Series)

More than 60 years have passed since the outbreak of the most catastrophic conflict the world has known: 30 million people dead and unbelievable devastation. In the 3rd edition of this popular volume, Keith Eubank seeks answers to the questions that have plagued us: Why, after the ghastly ordeal of World War I did Western powers undervalue the threat from Hitler? Why was there so much reluctance on the part of Britain and France to confront Germany? Why had Germany been permitted to rearm and to occupy independent nations without a struggle? What was the policy of appeasement? Why did the appeasers fail to perceive Hitler's intentions? In addition to a re-examination of these questions and an effort to dispel the enduring myths surrounding the history of this era, Keith Eubank has enhanced this new edition by including an analysis of the motivations and actions of central figures such as Neville Chamberlain and Joseph Stalin as well as a re-assessment of Soviet policies in the light of recent research that reveals their leaders as far less altruistic than some have imagined. With an expanded conclusion, a new photo section, and an updated bibliographic essay, this book remains an excellent brief overview of the period between 1918 and 1939. Content: Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Preface to the Third Edition Chapter 1: ""peace, "" 1918-1933 November 11, 1918 The Treaty of Versailles French ""security "" German ""good Faith"" Economic Crisis Chapter 2: The Uneasy Peace, 1933-1935 Adolf Hitler Rearmament and Disarmament The Four-power Pact The Dollfuss Affair Germany''s Military Renaissance The Franco-soviet Pact The Anglo-german Naval Agreement Notes Chapter 3: Years of Crisis, 1935-1938 Mussolini and Ethiopia Hitler in the Rhineland The Popular Front and the Spanish Civil War. Appeasement and Appeasers Notes Chapter 4: The Road to War, 1938 The Reichschancellery Meeting The Anschluss Crisis in Czechoslovakia The Munich Conference The End of Czechoslovakia Notes Chapter 5: War, 1 939 Danzig Appeasement Fails Conclusion Notes Bibliographical Essay Index. 1. Peace, 1918-1933 ; November 11, 1918 ; The Treaty of Versailles ; The League of Nations ; French "security" ; German "good faith" ; Economic crisis 2. The uneasy peace, 1933-1935 ; Adolf Hitler ; Rearmament and disarmament ; The Four Power Pact ; The Dollfuss Affair ; Germany's military renaissance ; The Franco-Soviet Pact ; The Anglo-German Naval Agreement 3. Years of crisis, 1935-1938 ; Mussolini and Ethiopia ; Hitler in the Rhineland ; The popular front and the Spanish Civil War ; Appeasement and appeasers 4. The road to war, 1938 ; The Reichschancellery Meeting ; The Anschluss ; Crisis in Czechoslovakia ; The Munich Conference ; The end of Czechoslovakia 5. War, 1939 ; Danzig ; Appeasement fails.