Description

This four session course will explore a new perspective on the key event of the 20th Century – World War II. The course will cover the origin of the war, the key factors determining the outcome, the strategies employed by both the Axis and the Allies, and the unique perspective of each of the major participants – Germany, Japan, Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States. Session 1 will cover the key factors that made the war almost inevitable despite the almost universal opposition to war by the general populations of all the countries that were drawn in. Session 2 will assess the early victories of the Axis powers, why they occurred and the mistakes made by both sides. This session will also attempt to explore the viewpoints of each of the major combatants and why they did what they did. Session 3 will cover the key year – 1941 – and how the final Axis and Allied coalitions were formed by happenstance and blunders – specifically the German invasion of the Soviet Union and the Japanese attack on the United States Session 4 will explore the operational events for the balance of the war as the overwhelming power of the Allies crushed the Axis powers. The leadership capabilities of all the participants will be discussed and assessed. Laurence Britt is a published writer and has had a lifelong interest in World War II history and possesses a large book collection on the subject.  Select this class if you will be joining via Zoom.