Understand the Second World War: Teach Yourself

Alan Farmer is a widely published academic on modern American, European, and British history. He is currently the Head of History at St. Martin's College, Lancaster.

• 01: Introduction: The main causes of World War 11: Who was most to blame for the War?02: The European War: 1939-40: Why did Germany triumph?: Why did France collapse so quickly?03: Britain Alone: 1940-1: Why did Britain survive?: The strength of Britain’s position in 1941?04: Operation Barbarossa: Why did Hitler launch his attack on the USSR in 1941?: Why did Barbarossa not succeed?05: Pearl Harbor: The attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan: Why did Hitler declare war on the USA?06: The Turning of the Tide: 1942-3: How close to success were the Axis powers in the summer of 1942?: Turning the tide07: The Home Fronts: The impact of the war on Axis and Allied societies: Why did the Allied powers out-produce the Axis powers?08: Resistance and Collaboration: To what extent did occupied countries collaborate with the conquerors?: The strength of the resistance09: The Holocaust: Why did it happen?: Who was most to blame?10: War at Sea and in the Air: The Allies victory in the Battle of the Atlantic: How effective was Allied bombing?11: Allied Advance: 1943-4: The Russians' success in the east: How successful were the Allies in the west?12: Leadership: The effectiveness of the main leaders: Who was the most effective leader?13: The Defeat of Germany: The success of the Allies in 1944-5: Should American and British strategy have been different?14: The Defeat of Japan: Why was the USA successful in the Pacific War?: Should the USA have dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?15: Conclusion: Did the Allies win or the Axis lose?: The main consequences of the War