Title: A New History of World War II
Edited by Institute of World History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
ISBN: 978-1-80589-048-5
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-80589-049-2

Hardback

Pages: 574

About the Book:

A New History of World War II, published to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, upholds a correct historical perspective on WWII and builds a narrative framework with Chinese characteristics and contemporary relevance.

It presents a comprehensive and thoroughly researched account of World War II from a genuinely global perspective. Developed by the Institute of World History at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, this volume marks the eightieth anniversary of the Allied victory with a reassessment of the war’s origins, key developments, and long-term impact on the international order.

Drawing on a broad range of primary sources in Chinese, English, German, Japanese, French, and Russian, the book challenges conventional Western-focused narratives. It introduces a wider chronological framework by identifying the September 18th Incident in 1931 as the true starting point of the global anti-fascist war. Through detailed examination of major theatres of conflict, including the Eastern Front, Europe, the Pacific, the Atlantic, and North Africa and the Mediterranean, the book highlights the interconnected nature of military operations, diplomatic negotiations, and grassroots resistance movements.

A particular focus is given to China’s role in the global conflict. The book offers a detailed analysis of China’s battlefield contributions, the formation of a national united front, and the country’s evolving position within the wider Allied effort. It also explores international resistance movements and the diplomatic processes that shaped the postwar political and economic landscape.

By providing a global narrative that incorporates often underrepresented perspectives, this book addresses an important gap in existing World War II literature. This volume will serve as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and general readers interested in global history, international relations, military studies, and East Asian affairs.

A New History of World War II

£85.00

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Founded in May 1964, the Institute of World History at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) is a principal academic body for systematic research and scholarly services in world history. Directed by Liu Zuokui, it covers ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary world history, emphasising comparative, transnational and global perspectives alongside the development of historiographical theory and methodology. The Institute stresses rigorous source criticism and multidisciplinary approaches; it undertakes major research programmes at both CASS and national levels, publishes scholarly work, and regularly hosts international conferences and specialised seminars. It actively promotes cooperation and academic exchanges with overseas universities and research institutes, trains master’s and doctoral students, and provides historical insight and think tank support for government policy and public affairs. Through sustained theoretical and empirical research, it aims to strengthen China’s voice and international standing in the field of world history.
Reframes the start of WWII by identifying the 1931 September 18th Incident in China—not 1939—as the true beginning of the global anti-fascist war.

Places the Eastern Theatre at the center of the global narrative, highlighting China’s pivotal role and contributions often overlooked in Western accounts.

Combines military, political, and social analysis, offering a comprehensive view of battlefronts, diplomacy, and resistance movements.

Covers all major war theatres: Eastern, European, Pacific, Atlantic, and North Africa within a unified global structure.

Draws from multilingual archival sources (Chinese, English, Japanese, German, Russian, French), offering new research perspectives not found in standard Anglophone histories.

Produced by a leading national research institution (Institute of World History, CASS), bringing scholarly authority and collaborative depth.

Explores global anti-fascist solidarity, including lesser-known resistance movements in Africa, Oceania, and Latin America.

Timed to the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory, making it both a scholarly and commemorative milestone.

Fills a major gap in the market, with few recent English-language titles offering a global view of WWII from a non-Western perspective.

Essential for decolonizing the study of World War II, rebalancing historical understanding beyond traditional Euro-American narratives.
Part I. Grave Challenges Confronting Mankind: On The Origins of the Second World War
Chapter 1 The Crisis of the Imperialist Global Ruling Order
1. The Versailles - Washington System and Its Defects
2. The Escalating Crisis of the Capitalist World and the Intensification of Imperialist Rivalries
Chapter 2 The Rise of Fascism
1. The Rise to Power of Italian Fascism
2. The Nazi Party’s Assumption of Power in Germany
3. The Emergence of Japanese Militarism
Part II. The Collapse of the Versailles - Washington System: The Outbreak of the Second World War and the Development of the Main Eastern Battlefield
Chapter 3 The September 18th Incident Marks the Prelude to the Global War Against Fascism
1. Japan Manufactures the September 18th Incident
2. The Beginning of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression
3. The Prelude to the Global War against Fascism
Chapter 4 The Escalation of Fascist Aggression
1. The Aggressive Expansion of Italy and Germany in Africa and Europe
2. The Launch of Japan’s Full - Scale Aggression Against China
3. The Formation of the Axis Pact
Chapter 5 Attempts and Failures to Contain Fascism
1. The Dire Consequences of Western Powers’ Appeasement Policy
2. The Soviet Union’s Pursuit of Collective Security
3. The Spread of War Panic and Emergence of Worldwide Anti - Fascist Resistance
Chapter 6 China Develops the Main Eastern Theatre for the Global War Against Fascism
1. The Resistance in China’s Centerstage Battlefield
2. The Chinese Communist Party Led the Resistance in the Backstage Battlefield
3. The Development of the Main Eastern Theatre for the Global War Against Fascism
Chapter 7 The Chinese Communist Party and the the Nationwide War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression
1. The Establishment and Development of the Chinese United Front Against Japanese Aggression
2. The Backstage Battlefield as the Main Battleground in the Nationwide War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression
3. The Chinese Communist Party as the Mainstay of the War of Resistance
Part III. Fascist Attempts to Establish a Eurasian “New Order”: The Second World War Escalates into Total War
Chapter 8 The Fascist Powers Launch the Total War
1. Germany’s Invasion of Poland and Western Europe
2. Germany’s Invasion of the Soviet Union
3. German and Italian Expansion of Aggression in Africa
4. Japan’s Launch of the Pacific War
Chapter 9 The Fascist “New Order” in Eurasia and Their Atrocities
1. The German Fascists’ “New Order” in Europe
2. The Japanese Fascists’ “Greater East Asia Co - Prosperity Sphere”
3. The Heinous Crimes of German, Italian and Japanese Fascists
Part IV. The Peoples of the World Unite: The Establishment of the Anti - Fascist Alliance and the Turning of the Tide in the Second World War
Chapter 10 The Formation of the International Anti - Fascist Alliance
1. China’s Proposal for a Sino - Franco - British Military Alliance
2. The Lend - Lease Act and the Formation of the Anglo - American Military Alliance
3. The Signing of the Declaration by United Nations
Chapter 11 From Turning the Tide of the War to the Grand Counter - Offensives
1. The North African and Mediterranean Theatre
2. The European Theatre
3. The Pacific Theatre
4. The Main Eastern Theatre
Part V. The Triumph of Justice Over Evil: The Anti - Fascist Alliance Advances to Victory
Chapter 12 The Resistance Movements and Mutual Assistance Among the Peoples Worldwide
1. The Anti - Fascist Resistance Movements in Asia
2. The Anti - Fascist Resistance Movements in Europe
3. The Resistance Movements within the Fascist States
4. The Assistance for the Anti - Fascist War from the Peoples in Africa, the Americas and Oceania
5. China’s Assistance for the Worldwide Anti - Fascist Movement
Chapter 13 Diplomatic Coordination Among the Anti - Fascist Allies
1. The Moscow Conference of Foreign Ministers and the Four Power Declaration
2. The Cairo Conference and the Cairo Declaration
3. The Yalta Conference and the Yalta Agreement
4. The Potsdam Conference and the Potsdam Declaration
Chapter 14 The Great Victory of the Global War against Fascism
1. Germany’s Unconditional Surrender
2. Japan’s Unconditional Surrender
3. War Crimes Trials and the Post - War Reconstruction
Part VI. A Turning Point for the Fate of Mankind: The Conclusion and Legacy of the Second World War
Chapter 15 The Second World War and the Reshaping of the Global Order
1. The Dawn of a New Era of Peace and Development
2. The Establishment of a New World Economic Order
Chapter 16 A Historic Turning Point for the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation
1. The Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japan Redresses China’s Century of Humiliation
2. The Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japan Paves the Way for National Rejuvenation
Conclusion
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