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.
Donny Gluckstein is a lecturer in history at Stevenson College, Edinburgh. He is the author of several books on Marxist history.
Preface1. Introduction 2. Spanish PreludePART 1: Yugoslavia, Greece, Poland and Latvia – Between the Blocs3. Yugoslavia: Balancing Powers 4. Greece: Allies at War with the Resistance 5. Poland’s Warsaw Uprising6. Latvia: Standing History on its HeadPART 2: France, Britain and the USA– Divisions Within the Allies7. France: Imperial Glory Versus Resistance Ideology8. Britain: The Myth of Unity9. USA: Racism in the Arsenal of DemocracyPART 3: Germany, Austria and Italy – Under the Axis10. Germany: Conservatives and Antifa11. Austria: Resistance and Ruling Class Capitulation12. Italy: The Working Class and the Two WarsPART 4: India, Indonesia and Vietnam - Different Enemies13. India: From Famine to Independence14. Indonesia: Axis and Allies United Against the People15. Vietnam: Anti-Imperialist Breakthrough16. Conclusion17. ChronologyNotesIndex
'Rigorously structuring his analysis around the two central themes of popular resistance and inter-imperialist rivalry, Gluckstein makes an indispensable contribution to understanding the reality of the conflict in all its complexity'
