World War II
Raising the flag on iwo jima
Never give in - never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (1941)
The Course
War is more than a mere chameleon that slightly adapts its characteristics to the given case. As a total phenomenon its dominant tendencies always make war a fascinating trinity — composed of (1) primordial violence, hatred, and enmity, which are to be regarded as a blind natural force; (2) of the play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam; and (3) of its element of subordination, as an instrument of policy, which makes it subject to reason.
— Carl von Clausewitz
(Christopher Bassford, interpreting)
The irrational emotions of the people, the non-rational creativity of the army, and the rational policies of the government interact in a constant interplay to create the social intercourse that is war. World War II exemplifies this reality. And thus, we will discuss the people – the primordial actions and inactions – the militaries – the artistic chances and probabilities – and the governments – the guiding plans and principles – that engaged in a six-year conflict that affected almost every corner of the earth and that forever altered the lives of countless millions. Simply stated, through the varied perspectives of cultural, military, and political histories, among others, we will examine the causes and the events, the people and the nations, and the ideas and the implications of world war.
