#x98;A#x9C; people's history of the Second World War resistance versus empire

__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 focused on the regular armies of the allied powers. Donny Gluckstein shows that an important part of the fighting involved people's militias struggling against not just fascism, but also colonialism, imperialism, and capitalism itself. Gluckstein argues that despite this radical element, which was fighting on the ground, the allied governments were more interested in creating a new order to suit their interests. He shows how various anti-fascist resistance movements in Poland, Greece, Italy, and elsewhere were betrayed by the Allies despite playing a decisive part in defeating the Nazis. 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. This history reclaims the Second World War as a global fight 'from below'. The vast majority of historical accounts have focused on the regular armies of the allied powers, however, the often-neglected people's militias were crucial not only to the defeat of fascism, but also colonialism, imperialism and even capitalism.

Looking at militias in Yugoslavia, Greece, Poland and Latvia, as well as the Warsaw Uprising and anti-fascist movements in Germany, it presents a different battle, fought on different terms. Widening its scope to India – where an independence movement was shaking an already weak British Empire, and onto alternative anti-imperialist struggles in Indonesia and Vietnam, a global picture of people’s resistance is revealed.

Despite these radical elements, the allied governments were more interested in creating a new order to suit their interests, and many of these movements were ultimately betrayed. However, many shook the existing world order to its core. Cover -- Contents -- Acknowledgements -- Preface -- Introduction -- 1. Spanish Prelude -- Part I: Yugoslavia, Greece, Poland and Latvia - Between the Blocs -- 2. Yugoslavia - Balancing Powers -- 3. Greece - Allies at War with the Resistance -- 4. Poland's Warsaw Rising -- 5. Latvia - Standing History on its Head -- Part II: France, Britain and the USA -Divisions Within the Allied Camp -- 6. France - Imperial Glory versus Resistance Ideology -- 7. Britain - The Myth of Unity -- 8. USA - Racism in the Arsenal of Democracy -- Part III: Germany, Austria and Italy - Under the Axis -- 9. Germany - Conservatives and Antifa -- 10. Austria - Resistance and Ruling-Class Capitulation -- 11. Italy - The Working Class and theTwo Wars -- Part IV: India, Indonesia and Vietnam -Different Enemies -- 12. India - From Famine to Independence -- 13. Indonesia - Axis and Allies United Against the People -- 14. Vietnam - Anti-Imperialist Breakthrough -- Conclusion -- 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 focused on the regular armies of the allied powers. Donny Gluckstein shows that an important part of the fighting involved people's militias struggling against not just fascism, but also colonialism, imperialism, and capitalism itself. Gluckstein argues that despite this radical element, which was fighting on the ground, the allied governments were more interested in creating a new order to suit their interests. He shows how various anti-fascist resistance movements in Poland, Greece, Italy, and elsewhere were betrayed by the Allies despite playing a decisive part in defeating the Nazis. 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."--Publisher's website 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. Cover 1 Copyright 5 Contents 8 Acknowledgements 9 Preface 10 010 11 Introduction 12 1. Spanish Prelude 26 2. Yugoslavia – Balancing Powers 36 3. Greece – Allies at War with the Resistance 49 5. L atvia – Standing History on its Head 81 6. France – Imperial Glory versus Resistance Ideology 96 7. Britain – The Myth of Unity 108 8. U SA – Racism in the Arsenal of Democracy 122 9. Germany – Conservatives and Antifa 138 10. A ustria – Resistance and Ruling-Class Capitulation 147 11. Italy – The Working Class and the Two Wars 152 12. India – From Famine to Independence 174 13. Indonesia – Axis and Allies United Against the People 188 14. V ietnam – Anti-Imperialist Breakthrough 204 Conclusion 218 Chronology 226 Notes 232 Index 273 Gluckstein brings to life the different struggles 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 how they were eventually betrayed by the Allies at the war's end. Fascinating and challenging, the book will help readers reach a new understanding of the Second World War-both about the people who fought it and the reasons for which it was fought. Book jacket A history of the Second World War as fought 'from below' by anti-fascist militias, who worked both with and against the allied powers. Donny Gluckstein. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.