The Peace Pledge Union was Britain's premier pacifist organization during the years of the Second World War, and Vera Brittain one of its most influential leaders. Neither has been the subject of close historical examination. The Union, founded fifty years ago by Canon 'Dick' Sheppard, was a direct product of the "never again" mood so pervasive in Britain during the 1920s and 1930s, although its sources of inspiration and principles resulted from deeper traditions. The heritage of the Peace Pledge Union was Christian, Radical, Liberal, Dissenting, Humanitarian and Socialist. It was also peculiarly English because the experience of relatively stable parliamentary government made generous allowance for the expression of dissent. But the Second World War placed British democracy and its associated traditions in a crucible. Yet the vitality of these values was sustained by the Peace Pledge Union and other voices of dissent. Until recent years radical groups and their leaders have tended to be relegated to the sidelines of history as the "also rans", a tendency that has arguably distorted the historical balance. The present study seeks to contribute to a partial redressing of this balance by exploring the inspiration, background and work of the wartime Peace Pledge Union. By its continued existence, and determination to express its minority view, the Peace Pledge Union made an important contribution to the maintenance of the democratic right of dissent and the privileges of English parliamentary democracy. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Hitler claimed to have studied Clausewitz and Machiavelli, but violated the tenets of both by permitting ideology to override strategy. Hitler's ideology is revealed from documentary sources: Mein Kampf, his speeches, and Tischreden (table talks.) Operation Sea Lion, the planned 1940 invasion of England, was cancelled because the Fuhrer regarded the British as nordic cousins. Operation Citadel, the 1943 Battle of Kursk, was conceived because he decided the racially inferior Slav must be subdued. Doomed from the outset, Hitler nevertheless launched Citadel and squandered most of Germany's remaining armor and elite troops. A general staff officer is interviewed as witness to the period. His background, training, and opinions of the Fuhrer are presented. Thesis conclusion: flawed ideology brought disastrous decisions.

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Texte remanié de: Diss.--Fakultät für Geschichtswissenschaft--Bochum--Ruhr-Universität, 1998. / Bibliogr. p. 415-436. Index.

Texte remanié de: Mémoire de DEA--Histoire contemporaine--Poitiers, 2007. / Bibliogr. p. 341-344. Notes bibliogr.

Dissertation--Philosophische Fakultät--Universität Köln, 2004. / Au dos de la page de titre : "eine Publikation des Deutschen historischen Instituts Warschau" Bibliogr. p. 255-271.

Thesis (M.A.)--Texas State University--San Marcos, 2009. / Vita. Reproduction permission applies to print copy: Blanket permission granted per author to reproduce. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-116).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of History, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 242-256).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, Dept. of History, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Manitoba, Spring 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 175-179).