World War 2

Overy, Why the Allies Won Ch. 6, "A Genius for Mass Production: Economies at War," pages 180-207; Ch. 7, "A War of Engines: Technology and Military Power," pages 208-244 

Parker, The Second World War Ch. 9, "Economies at War," pages 131-150

Prompt:

Essay 1:

How did the United States and the Soviet Union organize their economies during World War II? What methods did they employ to win the war of production? You should discuss war aims and strategies and the necessities each country identified for the type of war they wanted to wage. How did these necessities shape wartime planning and production? What types of forces and armaments did they deploy, and for what purpose? In what significant ways did American and Soviet wartime production and economic organization differ?

Essay 2:

Why did Germany fail so spectacularly in the war of production and yet manage to deploy some of the most advanced weapons systems of the war (rockets, jet propulsion)? What were the systemic problems and weaknesses found in the German military and production bureaucracy that held Germany back from reaching its full potential? Be sure to cite specific examples.

Each essay should be of 2-3 pages.