HSY1150

World War Two: the rise of fascism

Eleanor Hancock and Ian Copland

6 points - Two lectures and one tutorial per week at Clayton; one 1.5-hour lecture and one 1.5-hour tutorial per week at Caulfield - First semester - Caulfield and Clayton

Objectives Students successfully completing this subject should have gained familiarity with the body of knowledge about the rise of fascism, the causes of World War Two and its widening to a global war. They should also have developed a sense of the global sweep of 20th-century history, a firm grasp of its chronology, and an understanding of the role of individuals, ideas, technology and economic forces in the shaping of events.

Synopsis This subject, in conjunction with HSY1160, examines the origins, development and consequences of the first truly global conflict. The aim is to show how a world war destroyed the prewar order and helped shape the world we know today. HSY1150 will address the problems of the peace and the growth of political extremism in Europe and Asia, the Great Depression, the rise of Hitler and the collapse of the world order established at Versailles, the outbreak of war in Europe, the fall of France, the Battle of Britain and the invasion of the USSR, Pearl Harbor and the Japanese thrust through Southeast Asia.

Assessment Written exercises (total 2500 words): 60% - Examination (2 hours): 30% - Class participation/attendance: 10%

Preliminary reading

Taylor A J P The Second World War: An illustrated history Penguin, 1976

Prescribed texts

Keegan J The Second World War Penguin, 1990

Recommended texts

Bell P M H The origins of the Second World War in Europe Longman, 1986
Calvocoressi P and others Total war 2 vols, rev. 2nd edn, Penguin, 1989
Iriye A The origins of the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific Longman, 1987

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