After the fall of France in 1940, the most important contribution to the Allied victory made by the British was to survive and prevent any Axis invasion. But by the end of 1941, Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union - and gratuitous declaration of war on America - changed the dynamic of the conflict.
The Red army resisted and then turned back the invading Germans. American economic and military strength proved decisive on the battle field in North Africa and on D Day. But how far were Stalin’s war objectives limited and defensive and how far were they hegemonic? And did Roosevelt pursue conventional war aims of great power status, including dismantling the European colonial Empires, aside from defeating the Axis forces?
The origins of the Cold War can be discerned in the rise of the two superpowers at the moment of their triumph in WWII.
This lecture is part of the 'From Versailles to Potsdam: Diplomacy and Conflict in Europe 1919-1945' lecture series, taking place on Fridays from the 17th of October to the 21st of November. You may either register for individual lectures or the entire lecture series at a reduced price.
Please note: this lecture will close to enrolments at 23:59 on 18 November 2025.