Civilia 2021, 12(2):49-58 | DOI: 10.5507/civ.2021.009

Anti-Nazi Resistance during World War II as a Problem of the History and Identity of European Nations

Pavel Kopeček

Katedra společenských věd, Pedagogická fakulta Univerzity Palackého, Žižkovo náměstí 5, 771 40 Olomouc

The study deals with the history of the anti-fascist resistance in Europe between 1939 and 1945 and assesses the importance of the resistance movement for the history of World War II. The question of the anti-fascist resistance movement is one of the important and often controversial historical themes of the dramatic period between 1939-1945, not only in our country but also in other European countries. Although the main merit of defeating the Axis powers had the armies of the anti-fascist coalition states, the resistance movements in the occupied countries also played a significant role, which had, apart from its military significance, also a strong political and moral influence. It represented a significant alternative to subordination to the occupying power, or even to active collaboration with it. Of course, the character, possibilities and objectives of the resistance in each country were based on a range of specific circumstances including the previous political, economic and cultural development, geographical conditions, the character and objectives of the occupation administration and the extent of its terror, but also the country's strategic position and distance from the front lines, relations between the various resistance movements and their foreign centres, etc.

Keywords: Anti-fascist resistence, World War II, Identity, Nazi occupation

Published: December 15, 2021  Show citation