The Forgotten Footnote of the Second World War: An Examination of the Historiography of Scandinavia during World War II

The Anglo-American interpretation of the Second World War has continuously overlooked the significance of the Scandinavian region to the outcome of the war. This thesis seeks to address some of the more glaring errors of omission that have dampened the Anglo-American understanding of the war. Attention will first be paid to Finland and how its war against the Soviet Union in 1939-1940, known as the Winter War, influenced Adolf Hitler and his decision to launch Operation ‘Barbarossa.’ In regards to Sweden, attention will be paid to how critical Swedish iron ore was to the Nazi war economy. Finally, the thesis will examine how the Anglo-American interpretation of the German invasion of Norway is flawed. The thesis seeks to change the way that the role Scandinavia played during the Second World War is understood amongst Anglo-American historians and begin a new conversation on the story of World War II.