Crash Course World History: World War II

Introduction

• Presenter: John Green
• Topic: World War II
• Lens: War for resources, particularly food, rather than good vs. evil

War for Resources

• WWII often framed as a battle between good and evil.
• Alternative view: war for resources, heavily influenced by food scarcity.
• Food scarcity led to deaths of at least 20 million people.

Autarky and Resource Scarcity

• Germany and Japan pursued autarky (self-sufficiency).
• Both lacked resources, especially food, within their borders.
• Imperialist expansion was partly driven by the need for agricultural land.

Germany

• Sought "lebensraum" (living space) for agriculture to ensure food security.
• Memories of WWI blockade fueled need for self-sufficiency.
• "Hunger Plan" motivated invasion of the Soviet Union.

Japan

• Limited space created a sense of crisis, leading to expansion into Korea, Formosa.
• Colonized regions to ensure food supply.
• Great Depression exacerbated food scarcity, leading to invasion of Manchuria.

Impact of Food on War Strategy

• Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union was partly driven by the need for a breadbasket.
• Battle of the Atlantic: crucial for shipping arms and food from U.S. to Britain.
• Britain's dependence on global trade proved advantageous over German self-sufficiency.

British Colonies

• Colonial policies prioritized war production over food, leading to famine.
• Notable famines in British Africa and India (Bengal famine).

United States

• Faced some rationing, but no starvation.
• Shared sacrifice through giving up non-essential items.

Effects on Civilians and Soldiers

• Civilians and soldiers were affected by food scarcity.
• American and British troops were well-fed compared to others.
• Soviet and Japanese troops faced severe food shortages.

Soviet Union

• Invasion by Germany worsened food scarcity.
• Caloric intake halved by end of war.

Japan

• Soldiers often underfed, many died from starvation.
• Attempts to resupply troops often failed.

Conclusion

• WWII can be viewed through the lens of resource allocation, particularly food.
• This perspective shows the global impact of the war beyond just military engagements.
• Highlights the dangers of nationalism and the need for global cooperation to manage finite resources.