Der Zweite Weltkrieg

As the largest war in human history, World War II remains palpable to this day due to its political, social, legal, and military impacts. The brutality of this war exposed the depths of humanity like few conflicts before and after it. This book aims to examine World War II in its globality and totality. Special emphasis is placed on demonstrating how deeply both the European and non-European worlds were involved in this war and its causes. It will outline the situation following World War I, as well as the political-military developments and the influence of simmering conflicts during the interwar period. In addition to a chronological treatment of the key theaters of war and actors, the naval and aerial warfare will be examined separately. Finally, under the concept of total war, the societal and economic mobilization, the role of technology, the escalation of violence, and war crimes will be addressed. This will also include a focus on the victims, damages, and costs, as well as the consequences and the memory of this 'most total' of all wars.