In this one-day conference, we seek to bring together historians of the twentieth-century to consider the significance of the conflict for different groups of Americans in and outside of the military during the War but also in the post-war decades, including women, African Americans, Asian Americans, Jewish Americans, and other minorities. It also invites scholars to consider the significance of the conflict in terms of American politics, economics, and foreign policy, particularly in relation to the nation’s shifting role in the world. Given the emphasis on commemorative events and forms of remembrance in 2024 and 2025, scholars are also invited to discuss what these events – as well as representations of the war in popular culture – indicate about the lasting legacies of the conflict, possibly questioning the prominence of ideas such as those of the ‘good war’ and the ‘greatest generation.’
The range of important issues mentioned above ensures a diverse range of historical themes and approaches. However, we ask that those interested in contributing to the conference reflect upon the cross currents identified in this CFP, and consider any planned papers as a contribution to a conversation about the war and its significance for the United States at home and abroad. The symposium will also feature a roundtable discussion of two prominent recent texts in World War II studies, Thomas Guglielmo’s Divisions: A New History of Racism and Resistance in America’s World War II Military (Oxford, 2022) and Matthew Delmont’s Half-American: The Heroic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad (Penguin, 2024).
We welcome a range of contributions from interested scholars, from postgraduates to professors and independent scholars, including traditional 20-minute research presentations. However, we particularly encourage interested scholars to consider other formats for sharing their research, through the development and submission of full panel proposals, where possible.
If submitting an individual paper proposal, please submit a 250 word abstract plus a short, one page C.V. to events.hotcus@gmail.com by Sunday 1 December, 2024. If you are proposing a panel, please submit an abstract for each contribution. If you would like to discuss a possible format for a panel or individual contribution to the conference, please contact the email address above. Interested scholars are invited to share ideas and look for possible panel members via the following online form: Panel Finder.
The organisers are hoping to develop an edited collection or journal special issue with interested presenters, so please do let us know if this is something that interests you when applying to present your work at the conference.
