After a survey of the main events leading to the declaration of war against Nazi Germany, this module explores the development of resistance and collaboration in countries that were first occupied, namely, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. The transition between active collaboration to increasing resistance is traced through Vichy France. The module next moves to the Eastern Mediterranean (Greece and Yugoslavia), where resistance became effectively organised, and then to the USSR, focusing on Belarus, Russia, Baltics and Ukraine. Lastly, the module looks briefly at countries that were first part of the Axis and eventually switched sides from 1943 onwards (Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania), paying special attention to Italy.
Although the last segment of the module concentrates on the Holocaust, the fate and treatment of Jews is looked at in each of the countries and regions analysed. Seminars deal with the analysis of sources, including political documents, photographs, posters, letters, films, documentaries and personal memoirs.
What our students say:
‘The lecturer was very good at giving advice and providing extra reading when asked.’ (Anonymous student evaluation)
‘I found I gained the most from workshops, they really helped to build on my knowledge and I had a really interactive seminar.’ (Anonymous student evaluation)