From World War to Postwar: Revolution, Cold War, Decolonization, and the Rise of American Hegemony, 1943-1958

Offering a global account of the 'long World War II, this book challenges conventional narratives that picture a clearly defined war period (1939-1945) followed by a distinct postwar era dominated by the encroaching cold war. Arguing instead that while some aspects of the war did end abruptly in 1945, in many corners of the world 'war bled directly and raggedly into the 'postwar, such as Allied Occupation in Italy, the civil war in Greece, the rise of US hegemony, and struggles for national liberation in India. From World War to Postwar shows how critical developments in the latter half of the 20th century were a direct result of the Second World War, and reconceptualizes the conflict as an intersecting series of regional wars as well as an overarching world war. Offering new ways to think about how 'the war shaped the second half of the 20th century, this book reaches into those regions often overlooked in the study of WWII.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 28 December 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The book titled "From World War to Postwar" presents a comprehensive and challenging account of the "long World War II," challenging the conventional narratives that depict a clear-cut war period from 1939 to 1945, followed by a distinct postwar era dominated by the looming cold war. Instead, the book argues that while certain aspects of the war did indeed come to an abrupt end in 1945, in many corners of the world, the war continued to bleed directly and raggedly into the postwar period. This includes the Allied Occupation in Italy, the civil war in Greece, the rise of US hegemony, and the struggles for national liberation in India.

"From World War to Postwar" demonstrates how critical developments in the latter half of the 20th century were directly shaped by the Second World War. It reconceptualizes the conflict as an interconnected series of regional wars, as well as an overarching global war. By delving into regions often overlooked in the study of WWII, the book offers new perspectives on how the war impacted the second half of the 20th century. It highlights, for instance, the crucial role played by wartime relations between the US and Latin America in the development of US hegemony. It also shows how WWII accelerated the retreat from Empire in Sub-Saharan Africa and fostered the growth of anti-colonialism in various regions worldwide.

In essence, "From World War to Postwar" provides a truly global account of the outcomes of the largest conflict in human history, challenging the temporal boundaries within which we traditionally view it. It offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the long-lasting impacts of the war, shedding light on its far-reaching consequences and the complex web of events that shaped the world we live in today.

Weight: 448g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350240209