The Consumer on the Home Front: World War II Civilian Consumption in Comparative Perspective at German Historical Institute London

A conference that looks at the role of the consumer and civilian morale in the war efforts of Germany, Japan, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Choosing the five major un-occupied war powers - focusing in the Soviet case on the territories beyond the combat zone - allows for comparisons across a wide spectrum of political regimes. The home front of World War II is increasingly recognized by historians as a vital part of not only military strategies during a war that saw an unparalleled degree of civilian mobilisation, but also as a catalyst for broader social developments during the 20th century.