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Michigan State University

World War II

Background Research

Before you dive into a research paper, it can be a good idea to do some background research. This will help you figure out a topic that is interesting to you, and introduce you to the major players in your particular area.

Many people do background research through sources like Wikipedia or general Google searching. You can also use a variety of specific encyclopedias that are available through the MSU Libraries.

General Reference Sources

World War II Reference Sources

Here are some suggestions for references that may be related to WWII topics.  Some are print sources and some are available online.  For print, you'll need the call number & location to find it.  For online, you should be able to click the link to connect.

  • The Encyclopedia of World War II - print
  • The Encyclopedia of War and American Society - print
  • Encyclopedia of American Foreign Policy - print
  • Encyclopedia of Media and Propaganda in Wartime America - print
  • American Women During World War II - print | online
  • The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Women's Issues Worldwide - print
  • Encyclopedia of Women in American History - print
  • Oxford African American Studies Center - online (has biographies but also has primary sources!)
  • Encyclopedia of American Cultural and Intellectual History - print
  • The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Cultural and Intellectual History - print | online
  • Encyclopedia of American Social Movements - print
  • ​Encyclopedia of American Social History - print
  • The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Social History - online​
  • Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History - print (click to view online Table of Contents)
  • LGBT: Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History in America - print | online
  • American Decades - print | online 
  • American Pop - print
  • American Countercultures - print