The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss the leaders of World War II and introduce Victor Davis Hanson. This seven-lecture course, taught by Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn and Wayne and Marcia Buske Distinguished Fellow Victor Davis Hanson, examines the causes of World War II and dives into the strategies that gave the Allies the upper hand over the Axis. In World War II, the leaders of the major belligerents prosecuted the war in vastly different ways: the ruthless Axis powers were committed to ideologies that clouded their strategic judgment, while Russians employed desperate measures to ensure the survival of their equally ruthless Soviet state. By contrast, the United States and Great Britain developed a strategy to preserve liberty and limit the loss of human life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss the differences between Allied and Axis armored doctrine and introduce Victor Davis Hanson. This seven-lecture course, taught by Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn and Wayne and Marcia Buske Distinguished Fellow Victor Davis Hanson, examines the causes of World War II and dives into the strategies that gave the Allies the upper hand over the Axis. At the beginning of World War II, military theorists believed that tanks would dominate ground warfare. This was due mainly to their ability to plunge through enemy lines and capture territory. However, to make armored tactics effective, the major powers first had to answer essential questions regarding size, design, firepower, fuel, and support.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss how the belligerents of World War II fought their ground battles and introduce Victor Davis Hanson. This seven-lecture course, taught by Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn and Wayne and Marcia Buske Distinguished Fellow Victor Davis Hanson, examines the causes of World War II and dives into the strategies that gave the Allies the upper hand over the Axis. While World War II gave rise to significant advancements in air and naval power, ground operations remained the key to success. The war’s belligerents employed a variety of means and tactics, based on geography, history, military command, and politics. However, they all pursued a common goal—the destruction of the enemy’s industrial capacity and the occupation of his capital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss the impact of naval strategy on World War II and introduce Victor Davis Hanson. This seven-lecture course, taught by Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn and Wayne and Marcia Buske Distinguished Fellow Victor Davis Hanson, examines the causes of World War II and dives into the strategies that gave the Allies the upper hand over the Axis. At the beginning of World War II, naval doctrine emphasized the primacy of battleships in naval warfare. However, the war revealed the battleship’s limitations and the importance of a diversified and flexible fleet centered around aircraft carriers. The Allies’ ability to build and supply such a fleet allowed them to achieve naval supremacy first in the Atlantic and eventually in the Pacific.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victor Davis Hanson, a senior fellow in classics and military history, delves into the pivotal role of air power during World War II. He discusses how early theories overestimated air power, overlooking the necessity of naval and ground forces. The conversation highlights the strategic advantages gained through Allied investments in bombers and the evolution of tactics that led to air superiority. Hanson also addresses Germany's technological responses and shares intriguing insights about kamikaze threats and the implications of the atomic bomb decision.

Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College and expert in politics and history, explores the tumultuous stakes of World War II. He delves into the ideological clash between collectivism and individual liberty, highlighting how these beliefs shaped the war's course. Arnn outlines key turning points, including Hitler's rise and the impact of Pearl Harbor. The discussion also addresses the chilling realities of totalitarianism and the industrialized methods of murder witnessed during the Holocaust, emphasizing the profound cost of freedom.