Crash Course European History: Total War in World War II

Introduction to Total War

• Total War: Involves entire populations in war efforts.
• World War II saw increased participation across Eurasia and Africa.
• Beyond weapons, human labor and resource allocation (food, medications, books) were crucial.

Literature in War

• F. Scott Fitzgerald: His work, including The Great Gatsby, revived by U.S. Army's armed services editions distributed to soldiers.

Soldiers and Civilians

• Importance of understanding soldiers' and civilians' experiences, not just military leaders and weaponry.
• Most Europeans did not welcome WWII.

Nationalism and Enthusiasm

• Germany: Nationalist enthusiasm due to Hitler’s rhetoric and actions (Versailles Treaty, Rhineland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, invasion of Poland).
• Italy: Enthusiasm for Mussolini's conquests and coordination with Germany.

Nature of Evil

• Evil as a product of social orders, not just individuals.

Civilian and Soldier Suffering

• Civilian Losses: Houses, public buildings, and cities bombed.
  • Britain: 1/3 of housing destroyed.
  • Germany: Cities, including Dresden, firebombed by Allies.
• Soldier Suffering: Particularly on the Eastern Front; challenges included cold, hunger, and fatigue.
• Comradeship: Soldiers often fought for each other rather than ideology.

Food and Supplies

• Importance of food in military history.
• US Army's C Rations: Meat-based canned foods, often poorly packaged.
• Civilian involvement: Informers, collaborators, resistors.

Government Roles

• Expansion of government roles in goods allocation and transportation.
• Rationing: Governments controlled food and clothing access.
• Introduction of welfare systems, e.g. UK's National Health Service post-WWII.

Propaganda and Entertainment

• Governments produced patriotic films and art to boost morale.
• Many cultural figures fled to enrich other countries.

Gender Roles in War

• Nazism and Fascism: Women removed from workforce, focused on domestic roles.
• Soviet Union: Women participated extensively in war efforts, both combat and support.
• UK: Conscription of women into various roles, including crucial code-breaking efforts.

Famines and Human Suffering

• Siege of Leningrad: Starvation and suffering, with cultural efforts to maintain morale.
• Bengal Famine: Grain removed by British, leading to millions of deaths.
• Churchill's Policies: Blamed for exacerbating famine.

Conclusion

• Reminder of the dehumanization of others leading to evil.
• Heroes existed, resisting and aiding others during the war.
• Thanks and credits to patrons for supporting Crash Course.