A People’s History of the Second World War

Donny Gluckstein is a lecturer in history at Stevenson College, Edinburgh. He is the author of several books on Marxist history.

This history reclaims the Second World War as a global fight 'from below'. The vast majority of historical accounts have focused on the regular armies of the allied powers, however, the often-neglected people's militias were crucial not only to the defeat of fascism, but also colonialism, imperialism and even capitalism. Looking at militias in Yugoslavia, Greece, Poland and Latvia, as well as the Warsaw Uprising and anti-fascist movements in Germany, it presents a different battle, fought on different terms. Widening its scope to India - where an independence movement was shaking an already weak British Empire, and onto alternative anti-imperialist struggles in Indonesia and Vietnam, a global picture of people's resistance is revealed. Despite these radical elements, the allied governments were more interested in creating a new order to suit their interests, and many of these movements were ultimately betrayed. However, many shook the existing world order to its core.

Preface 1. Introduction 2. Spanish Prelude PART 1: Yugoslavia, Greece, Poland and Latvia - Between the Blocs 3. Yugoslavia: Balancing Powers 4. Greece: Allies at War with the Resistance 5. Poland's Warsaw Uprising 6. Latvia: Standing History on its Head PART 2: France, Britain and the USA- Divisions Within the Allies 7. France: Imperial Glory Versus Resistance Ideology 8. Britain: The Myth of Unity 9. USA: Racism in the Arsenal of Democracy PART 3: Germany, Austria and Italy - Under the Axis 10. Germany: Conservatives and Antifa 11. Austria: Resistance and Ruling Class Capitulation 12. Italy: The Working Class and the Two Wars PART 4: India, Indonesia and Vietnam - Different Enemies 13. India: From Famine to Independence 14. Indonesia: Axis and Allies United Against the People 15. Vietnam: Anti-Imperialist Breakthrough 16. Conclusion 17. Chronology Notes Index