Discussion 1 Hist 348 World War II

Overview

The expansionist goals of major powers drove World War II, as leaders in Europe and the Pacific sought to reshape their regions and the world. Examine how these ambitions, influenced by political objectives and key personalities, led to the outbreak of war and set the stage for major atrocities by addressing one of the following questions. Identify which question you are responding to in your post.

The initial post is between 200-300 words in length.

The initial post employs correct Chicago-style bibliographic citation where required.

1. What were the conditions and events that led to war in Europe? Consider the objectives, personalities, and events contributing to Germany's European expansionist moves.
2. What were the conditions and events that led to war in the Pacific? Include in your answer the objectives, personalities, and events that contributed to Japan's expansionist moves in the Pacific.
3. What was Hitler's vision for the "Thousand Year Reich," and what were the initial German efforts and actions that became known as "The Holocaust"?Murray & Millett, A War to be Won
   • Preface
   • Chapter 1: Origins of a Catastrophe
   • Chapter 2: The Revolution in Military Operations, 1919-1939
   • Chapter 3: German Designs, 1939-1940
   • Chapter 7: The Origins of the Asia-Pacific War, 1919-1941
   • Epilogue
   Bell, Twelve Turning Points of the Second World War
   • Introduction
   Coetzee & Coetzee, The World in Flames
   • Chapter 1
     • Seeds of Turmoil p. 4
     • Japan's Outlook (1938) p. 16
     • Statement at Lushan (1937) p. 18
     • Rape of Nanking (1937) p. 20
     • Hossbach Memorandum (1937) p. 22
     • Appeasement (1938) p. 25
     • France Goes to War (1939) p. 30
   • Chapter 2
     • Soviet-Finnish War (1939) p. 36
     • Rethinking Armored Warfare (1938) p. 38
     • A Certain Eventuality (1940) p. 49
   • Chapter 3
     • Warning Signs from Japan (1940) p. 68
     • Japan's Decision for War (1941) p. 70
     • Avenging Western Imperialism (1941) p. 72
     • Plan Dog (1940) p. 78
   • Chapter 9
     • The Four Freedoms (1941) p. 270
     • The Atlantic Charter (1941) p. 271
     • Japan and Greater East Asia (1940) p. 376
   • Chapter 10
     • The Inhumanity of Man: The Holocaust p. 308
     • Defining Genocide (1941) p. 312
     • Euthanasia (1939) p. 318
     • The Warsaw Ghetto (1940) p. 33