History concepts and applications

¶ … Origins of the Second World War, by A.J.P. Taylor. Specifically, it will critically analyze the book, its theme, and the author's methods.

THE ORIGINS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR

Author of "The Origins of the Second World War," A.J.P. Taylor, was a noted British historian who wrote widely on European and world politics, policies, and history. His views were often unorthodox and controversial. "Taylor practiced a legitimate revisionism that is found in every field of history. Similar revisionists included Daniel J. Goldhagen who has argued that a deep-rooted anti-Semitism in Germany caused the Holocaust, not just Hitler and the Nazi party" (Schoenherr). He wrote numerous books and publications, including "The Struggle for Mastery in Europe 1848-1918," and "English History 1914-1945." He also worked as a broadcaster for the BBC. He was primarily interested in English and German history, but wrote extensively on a variety of historic and political subjects. Taylor died in 1990, and is still "regarded as one of the most important British historians of the 20th century" (Schoenherr). His purpose in writing the book is summed up succinctly in the Preface, where he notes the book is "directed solely to the question: why did Great Britain and France declare war on Germany?" (Taylor v).

The Origins of the Second World War" is a treatise on the French and British entry into the war. It does not include theories on why the rest of Europe and even Japan became involved, Taylor's purpose is to expound his theories on Germany, and how their actions led (or did not lead) to a declaration of war from France and Britain. First written in 1961, and updated before Taylor died in 1990, the book discusses events from the First World War to the declaration of war in 1939, and assesses how each of these events added fuel to the fire that grew into World War II.

Taylor's writing seems a bit old fashioned and is sometimes difficult to follow. He gives much effort to the events leading up to World War II, which is of course necessary to understand the background leading up to war, but is sometimes tedious reading and easy to set aside. Taylor opens the book by noting, "The second World war has ceased to be 'today' and has become 'yesterday'" (Taylor 7). This seems exceedingly true of many important world events, causing the reader to mull over how long it will be before the events of September 11 fall into the same category. Memories fade with time, and so do historic events, and Taylor points this out poignantly.

Throughout the book, Taylor lays down reason after reason why France and Britain were ripe for attack, and Germany was ready for war. He felt France and Britain did not have consistent policies regarding Germany, and they failed to appease Germany after World War I, since they did not destroy her (Taylor 39). Neither did they deter Hitler from rearming Germany; in fact, by ignoring his increasing armament, they showed him his "bluff would never be called" (Taylor 86). When it seemed to become apparent that war was indeed on the horizon, they did not recognize the scope of Hitler's quest for power, and felt the war would be confined to Europe, so there was no reason to involve anyone else, such as the Soviet Union or the United States in early peace talks (Taylor 130).

Through it all, Taylor maintains that for far too long, France and Great Britain maintained their own interests above all others, and this inward thinking also helped them turn a blind eye to Hitler and his defensive posturing. Ultimately, while he shows many flaws in British and French policy, he shows how Hitler and his own posturing left France and Britain little choice but to declare war. Hitler may have thought France and Britain would turn their back on Poland. He also showed a serious lack of judgment when he broke his peace pact with the Soviet Union in 1941, and then declared war on the United States, who "asked only to be left alone" (Taylor 278). Hitler's antics led to declaration of war just as much as Britain and France's lack of coherent policies did.

Some critics have argued Taylor shows a serious leaning toward Hitler and his politics in this volume, and he almost vindicates Hitler on occasion. Taylor answered that argument in his opening "Second Thoughts" which prefaced the new edition of his work, where he noted with some vehemence:

My book has really little to do with Hitler. The vital question it seems to me, concerns Great Britain and France. They were the victors of the first World war. They had the decision in their hands. It was perfectly obvious that Germany would seek to become a Great Power again; obvious after 1933 that her domination would be of a peculiarly barbaric sort (Taylor xiii).

Taylor never varies from his theme and purpose throughout the book. He consistently illustrates the events that led up to the Second World War in immense detail. He analyzes each event coherently, helping the reader to understand the myriad of details, twists and turns that led up to war. What makes this book difficult to follow is there are so many details; it is tricky to keep them all straight, no matter how coherently Taylor presents them. Since the arguments and background fill nearly 300 pages, it is clear there was much more to the beginnings of the war than Germany's armament and the eventual attack of Poland, who Britain and France had sworn to protect. Historians and critics may not all agree with Taylor's thesis, but they cannot argue with his logical and analytical laying out of his arguments, or his meticulous research and understanding of European history. It is clear he not only understands the intricacies of politics and policies in Europe and European history, he can easily establish their importance or lack of it as it relates to his thesis in this book. A layman reading this volume would have little reason to argue with Taylor's ultimate theory, that Hitler dragged Great Britain and France into a war with a combination of circumstances, which had their irrefutable beginnings at the end of World War I, and marched forward unchecked.

Many critics have found Taylor's book flawed in its reasoning, and narrow in its focus. One maintains Taylor left out many other happenings that helped lead the world down the path toward war, including the threat of Communism spreading, the economic difficulties of the Great Depression, which spread around the world - which eventually led to trade imbalances and much more, and the "multinational failure to make League of Nations work" (Schoenherr). While these criticisms may be justified, the book certainly holds its own in theory and reasoning, and did not bring up lingering questions about Taylor's beliefs and philosophy in this reader.