Generally, the library could be smoothly configured and built with cygwin gcc (3.4.4) using the flags you have specified above. You should only validate that gcc-mingw, gcc-mingw-core & gcc-mingw-g++ packages are installed in cygwin. There is no need in mingw-gcc4.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.