World War II: Battlefield Europe (The Great Courses Series)

In more ways than you can imagine, today's geopolitical climate is a product of World War II. The United States, France, Germany, Russia, and Britain-all of these world powers and their sense of place today were profoundly shaped by the most savage, sweeping war in human history. How was the war in Europe fought over the course of seven long, arduous years? What led to Germany's early sustained gains, and what eventually stymied its advances? Why did the war in Europe unfold the way it did, and what socio-economic factors led to Germany's unconditional surrender after millions of lives were lost? It all boils down to a matter of strategy. Strategic choices - political ones, economic ones, military ones - are the organizing principles that can help us make sense of the war. Political and military leaders had to make hard decisions. We can learn a lot by looking at those choices.

World War II: Battlefield Europe provides a fresh lens through which to study the European Theater's major battles, larger-than-life personalities, twists of fate, and tales of intrigue. We'll dig deep into the European Theater of war, and specifically the real-life military and political strategies behind some of the war's most definitive battles: The Battle of Britain, The Battle of Stalingrad, The D-Day Invasion, and The Battle of the Atlantic. You'll uncover the strategic decisions behind U-boat assaults, urban bombing campaigns, Operation Barbarossa, D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, the invasion of Italy, the French resistance, the fall of Berlin, V-2 rockets, and so much more.

In this course, lesson images and videos from The Great Courses and the History Channel are used to answer these questions and more. Strategic maps, photographs, film footage, and illustrated recreations make this course a definitive learning experience unlike anything you ever experienced. Assignments address the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Social Studies-History Standards.

This course is applicable towards the United States History Certificate.

Note: Course guidebook is included with the cost of the course.