A. J. P. Taylor and his critics in Great Britain

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Scientific Essay from the year 2011 in the subject Didactics - English - Literature, Works, grade: 1, University of Vienna, language: English, abstract: A.J.P. Taylors The Origins of the Second World War and hiscritics in Great BritainIn 1961 A.J.P. Taylor, described as an enfant terrible among historians 1 by Ian F. D.Morrow, discombobulated peer historians with his publication The Origins of the SecondWorld War. In this book Taylor disputed the orthodox school of war historiography. Taylor'sthesis of the origins of the Second World War has received some support, but primarilycritique. His thesis may be briefly stated. According to Taylor, Hitler was not a demonicwarlord, who had plans of world conquest but was only an ordinary man who was no morewicked and unscrupulous than many other contemporary statesman . Hitler followed aforeign policy like that of his predecessors, of the professional diplomats at the foreignministry, and indeed of virtually all Germans. Adolf Hitler was not a a system-maker,deliberately preparing from the first a great war which would destroy existing civilisation and makehim master of the world Hitler's purpose was to liberate Germany from the Treaty ofVersailles that lacked moral validity from the start and to make Germany the leadingPower in Europe from her natural weight. In fulfilling his goals, Hitler was supported byappeasers such as Neville and Chamberlain, who believed that Hitler would become pacific ifhis demands were met. Hence, all Hitler had to do was waiting for concessions. Taylorpresents Hitler as a passive Fuehrer, without clear intentions. Regarding Danzig and Poland,Hitler didn't intend its destruction. On the contrary he had wished to solve the question ofDanzig so that Germany and Poland could remain on good terms.[...]

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