The status of WWII Poland as a German colony remains debated. While some scholars argue in favour of a so-called “colonial-imperial paradigm” others explicitly reject any connection between German...Show moreThe status of WWII Poland as a German colony remains debated. While some scholars argue in favour of a so-called “colonial-imperial paradigm” others explicitly reject any connection between German colonialism and Nazi-occupied Poland. Situating itself within this ongoing debate this thesis aims to provide a new perspective on German colonialism in Poland. By providing a comparative analysis of labour policies implemented in German South-West Africa (GSWA) and Nazi-occupied Poland this thesis hope to shed light on the controversial status of Poland as a German colony. Labour policies in particular pose an interesting lens through which to study the colonial-imperial paradigm as they touch upon a variety of dimensions that have been discussed at length within the wider literature. In particular, labour policy offers new insights into the role of ideology and violence in shaping economic relations in Germany’s colonies and Nazi-occupied Poland. As this thesis will show, the two cases show congruence in the fundamental motivations and structures of labour policy, however, at closer inspection, considerable differences can be observed. In particular, it will highlight the significant role of ideology in shaping Nazi labour practices and the unprecedented scale of violence experienced by Polish labourers. This research can be used as a starting point for further discussions about potential causal relations between German colonialism and the Nazi occupation of Poland as well as serving as a stepping stone to analysing the long-term economic consequences of the Nazi occupation of Poland.Show less
The year 2020 marked 81 years since the start of the Second World War and Ireland’s declaration to abstain from it. As time continues, we become further and further detached from the events in...Show moreThe year 2020 marked 81 years since the start of the Second World War and Ireland’s declaration to abstain from it. As time continues, we become further and further detached from the events in human past that have so greatly affected the world we live in today, however, the study of history can bring these events closer to the modern human experience. This artificial closeness can be used as a tool to explain how and why historical events occurred as they did and allow us to learn more about not only the world of yesterday but also the world of tomorrow. This thesis will use Ireland’s 1939-1945 policy of neutrality to test neorealism and liberalism to assess what can be learned not only about said theories, but too the history they are applied to. This can hopefully shine more light on how current theories can be applied outside of the modern world.Show less
This thesis discusses if and how the participation of women in the American labor force during World War II influenced how women were perceived by society after the war. Did their image change or...Show moreThis thesis discusses if and how the participation of women in the American labor force during World War II influenced how women were perceived by society after the war. Did their image change or remain the same? Also the influence of corporate and government propaganda are taken into account.Show less
