A NEW HISTORY OF WORLD WAR II

　　Author: Institute of World History , Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

　　Publication Date: September, 2025

　　Publisher: China Social Science Press

　　ISBN: 9787522758244

　　DESCRIPTION

　　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. The book examines the historical process from the collapse of the Versailles-Washington system and the outbreak of WWII, through to the surrender of the fascists and the reshaping of the international order. It analyses the roles of the major theatres, including the main Eastern battlefield, European theatre, Pacific theatre, Atlantic theatre, North Africa-Mediterranean theatre and the coordination between them, presenting a panoramic view of the vast and tumultuous World Anti-Fascist War. It underscores that the decisive factor in defeating the Axis powers was the international Anti-Fascist United Front, forged by peace-loving forces worldwide: People across Europe and Asia actively engaged in resistance movements, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania provided vital support, and the Allied powers collaborated strategically and supported each other, writing an epic of victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. Special emphasis is laid on the position and contribution of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression within the World Anti-Fascist War and the Communist Party of China's vital role as the mainstay of the War of Resistance by the whole nation. The work also reflects the Chinese people's commitment to peace, their resolve to pursue peaceful development, and their vision for building a community with a shared future for humanity.

　　About the Author

　　ounded 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.

　　Contents

　　Introduction

　　Part One Great Challenges Confronting Humanity: The Origins of World War II

　　Chapter 1 The Crisis of the Imperialist Ruling Order

　　Section I. The Versailles-Washington System

　　Section II. The Great Economic Crisis in the Capitalist World

　　Chapter 2 The Rise of Fascism

　　Section I. The Ascendancy of Italian Fascism

　　Section II. The Rise to Power of the Nazi Party in Germany

　　Section III. The Rise of Japanese Militarism

　　Part Two  The Collapse of the Versailles-Washington System: The Outbreak of World War II and the Shaping of the Main Eastern Battlefield

　　Chapter 3 The September 18th Incident Marked the Beginning of World War II

　　Section I. The September 18th Incident

　　Section II. The Beginning of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression

　　Section III. Prelude to the World Anti-Fascist War

　　Chapter 4  The Escalation of Fascist Aggression

　　Section I. Italy and Germany’s Aggression and Expansion in Africa and Europe 

　　Section II. Japan’s Launch of Full-Scale Aggression Against China Section III. The Formation of the Axis

　　Chapter 5 International Efforts to Contain Fascism

　　Section I. Western Powers’ Appeasement and Its Dire Consequences

　　Section II. The Efforts and Setbacks of the Soviet Union to Establish

　　Collective Security

　　Section III. The Spread of War Panic in Europe and the Emergence of Pre-1939 Worldwide Movements Against Fascism and War

　　Chapter 6 The Communist Party of China and the War of Resistance Section I. The Formation of the Chinese United Front Against Japanese Aggression

　　Section II. Resistance Behind Enemy Lines

　　Section III. The Mainstay of the War of Resistance

　　Chapter 7 Development of the Main Eastern Battlefield in the World Anti-Fascist War

　　Section I. Resistance on Centre Stage Battlefields

　　Section II. Resistance on Backstage Battlefields

　　Section III. The Main Eastern Battlefield in the World Anti-Fascist War Took Shape

　　Part Three Fascist States Attempted to Establish a ‘New Order’: World War II Escalated into Total War

　　Chapter 8 Fascists Launched the Total War

　　Section I. Germany’s Attack on Poland

　　Section II. Germany’s Invasion of the Soviet Union

　　Section III. German and Italy’s Escalated Aggression in Africa

　　Section IV. Japan’s Igniting of the Pacific War

　　Chapter 9 The Fascists’ Dream of a ‘New Order’ and Their Atrocities

　　Section I. Nazi Germany’s ‘New Order’ of Europe

　　Section II. Japan’s ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’

　　Section III. Atrocities Committed by German, Italian, and Japanese Fascists

　　Part Four The People of the World United: The Formation of the World Anti-Fascist Alliance and the Turning of the Tide in World War II

　　Chapter 10 The Formation of the World Anti-Fascist Alliance

　　Section I. China’s Advocacy for a Sino-French-British Military Alliance

　　Section II. The Lend-Lease Act and the Formation of the Anglo-American Military Alliance

　　Section III. The Declaration by United Nations

　　Chapter 11 From Turning the Tide to Launching Grand Counter-Offensives

　　Section I. The North African and Mediterranean Theatres

　　Section II. The European Theatre

　　Section III. The Pacific Theatre

　　Section IV. The Main Eastern Battlefield

　　Part Five Justice Prevailed Over Evil: The Anti-Fascist Alliance Achieved Victory

　　Chapter 12 Resistance Movements and Mutual Support Among Peoples Across the World

　　Section I. Resistance Movements in Asia

　　Section II. Resistance Movements in Europe after September 1939

　　Section III. Resistance Movements within Nazi Germany and Its Allies

　　Section IV. Support by the Peoples of Africa, the Americas, and Oceania for the World Anti-Fascist War

　　Section V. China’s Support for the Anti-Fascist Movements in Other Countries and Regions

　　Chapter 13 Diplomatic Interactions Among Allied Powers

　　Section I. The Moscow Conference of Foreign Ministers and the Four Power Declaration

　　Section II. The Cairo Conference and the Cairo Declaration

　　Section III. The Yalta Conference and the Yalta Agreement

　　Section IV. The Potsdam Conference and the Potsdam Declaration Chapter 14 The Great Victory in the World Anti-Fascist War

　　Section I. Germany’s Unconditional Surrender

　　Section II. Japan’s Unconditional Surrender

　　Section III. Trials of War Crimes and Post-war Reformation

　　Part Six

　　A New Chapter for Humanity: The End of World War II and Its Impact

　　Chapter 15 Reshaping the World Order

　　Section I. Shaping the Post-War Political Order

　　Section II. Forging the Post-War Economic Order

　　Chapter 16 The Starting Point of the Chinese Nation’s Journey Towards Rejuvenation

　　Section I. Ending Modern China’s National Humiliation

　　Section II. The Triumph Opened Up Bright Prospects for the National Rejuvenation

　　Index

　　Acknowledgments