Synopses & Reviews
This book sheds new light on the Asian factor in the making of World War II in Europe. Margaret Lamb and Nicholas Tarling examine how the threat that Japan presented to the status quo in East Asia made it difficult for Britain to face Hitler's Germany and Mussolini's Italy.
Review
"...a good and useful survey, one that might readily be assigned by teachers looking for a one-volume alternative."--
History: Reviews of New Books, Donald P. Steury
"...students and faculty could profit from its adoption in a diplomatic history course"--Russell D. Buhite, Journal of American History
"...this will attract attention both by its comprehensive character and its smooth writing style...it could be extremely useful in a wide variety of contexts."-- Journal of Military History
Synopsis
In 1941, the European war became a world war. This book tackles that process in its economic, political and ideological dimensions. Margaret Lamb and Nicholas Tarling explore the significance of the Asian factor and the importance of East Asia in the making of the war in Europe and the transformation of the European war of 1939 into the world war of 1941. This Asian factor has often been neglected, but the policies of all the major powers were affected by their world-wide interests. France had its possessions in North Africa and Asia; Nazi Germany chose to become involved in China and to make an agreement with Japan; Britain's action in Europe and the Mediterranean were conditioned by its commitments elsewhere in the world, and the United States and the Soviet Union were both involved in Europe and Asia. In particular the threat that Japan presented to the status quo in East Asia made it difficult for the war in Europe in turn affected the position in East Asia. The US built a two-ocean navy and encouraged the British to continue their struggle by keeping the resources of South East Asia available, and these steps led to a clash with the Japanese.
Lamb and Tarling's global approach throws valuable new light on the origins of the Second World War.
Synopsis
This book sheds new light on the Asian factor in the making of World War II in Europe. Margaret Lamb and Nicholas Tarling examine how the threat that Japan presented to the status quo in East Asia made it difficult for Britain to face Hitler's Germany and Mussolini's Italy.
About the Author
Margaret Lamb is former Senior Lecturer in History, University of Auckland.
Nicholas Tarling is former Professor of History, University of Auckland.
Table of Contents
Preface * Prologue * Maps * The First World War * The Peace Settlements * The Implementation of the Peace Settlement * The Depression * The End of Collective Security * Appeasement * The War of 1939 * The War of 1941 * Conclusions * Epilogue * Further Reading * Index