World Between the Wars: Japan's Changes

Questions and Answers

How did Japan change in the 1920s and 1930s?

During the 1920s, Japan's economy grew, its government became more liberal, and it drew back from expansion. In the 1930s, ultranationalist groups took control of Japan, restricted freedoms, and renewed drives to expand.

What changes occurred in Japan in the 1920s?

Democracy grew as political parties grew stronger, exerted their power in the Diet, and extended rights. The economy grew.

How did nationalists respond to the Great Depression?

They demanded renewed expansion. A group of army officers concocted an excuse to seize Manchuria without consulting the government.

What role did geography play in Japan's desire to expand its empire?

Since Japan is a small island nation, it sought to expand to gain natural resources and an outlet for goods and excess population. Signup and view all the answers

Why might a nation turn to military leaders and extreme nationalists during a crisis?

Military leaders and ultranationalists promised national security, military power, and cultural greatness. Signup and view all the answers

What changes did western society and culture experience after WW2?

Disillusioned by WW1, the younger generation rebelled against Victorian values. Writers expressed similar loss of faith and artists revolted against traditional styles and created new ways of viewing the world. Advances in science revolutionized scientific thought. Signup and view all the answers

How did flappers symbolize changes in Western society during the 1920s?

Flappers symbolized the rejection of the moral values and rules of the Victorian age. Signup and view all the answers

How did the ideas of Einstein and Freud contribute to a sense of uncertainty?

Einstein argued that measurements of space and time are not absolute, thus raising questions about Newtonian science and reinforcing the image of a universe beyond human understanding. Freud's ideas that the subconscious mind drives much human behavior seemed to challenge faith in reason. Signup and view all the answers

What political and economic challenges did the leading democracies face in the 1920s and 1930s?

After the war, democracies struggled to rebuild war-ravaged land. In later years, they faced political and social unrest and the spread of an economic crisis. Signup and view all the answers

How did Britain and France emerge from WW1 as both victors and losers?

Britain and France, with American help, defeated Germany. Both, however, faced serious political divisions and economic fragility. Signup and view all the answers

What steps did major powers take to protect the peace, and why did these moves have limited effects?

They signed several treaties and relied on the League of Nations to halt aggression; the pacts and the League did not have the power to enforce their goals. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how each of the following contributed to the outbreak or spread of the Great Depression: (a) falling demand, (b) Federal Reserve Board, (c) financial crisis.

(a) Falling demand led to overproduction. (b) When the Federal Reserve Board raised interest rates, people bought less and invested less. (c) The financial crisis of 1929 aggravated the downward cycle. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Great Depression affect political developments in the United States?

Under the New Deal, the federal government became more directly involved in the lives of Americans than ever before. Signup and view all the answers

How and why did fascism rise in Italy?

The fascists, led by Mussolini, took advantage of Italy's postwar turmoil to seize control of the nation. Signup and view all the answers

What problems did Italy face after WW1 and how did these problems help Mussolini win power?

Anger at the loss of promised territories, unemployment, labor disorder, and weak governments; Mussolini exploited these problems in order to unite Italians. Signup and view all the answers

Describe one of Mussolini's economic or social goals and explain the actions he took to achieve it.

He wanted economic growth and an end to workplace conflicts. He brought the economy under state control and made strikes illegal. Signup and view all the answers

List 2 similarities and two differences between fascism and communism.

Similarities: both promoted social change, imposed totalitarian governments, and claimed to rule in the people's interest. Differences: Communists sought world revolution and a classless society, while fascists pursued nationalism and a society with defined classes. Signup and view all the answers

Mussolini said 'machines and women are the two main causes of unemployment.' (a) What do you think he meant? (b) How did Mussolini's policies reflect his attitude toward women?

(a) Mussolini blamed machines for reducing the number of jobs, and accused employed women of taking jobs away from men. (b) He rewarded women who reared many children, but not those who worked. Signup and view all the answers

How did Stalin transform the Soviet Union into a totalitarian state?

Stalin brought all economic activity under government control, and he used terror tactics to control Soviet life. Signup and view all the answers

What were the goals and results of Stalin's five-year plans? How did the effects differ between industry and agriculture?

The five-year plans were aimed at building up and improving industry and agriculture. The plans resulted in progress in industry but failed to increase agricultural output. Peasants resisted collectivization. Signup and view all the answers

How did the command economy under Stalin differ from a capitalist economy?

Command: government controls economy. Capitalist: free market controls most economic decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What methods did Stalin use to create a totalitarian state?

Tightened control and used force to punish opposition or protest. Signup and view all the answers

How did Hitler and the Nazi party establish and maintain a totalitarian government in Germany?

Hitler won power by promising to solve Germany's problems and to restore Germany's greatness. He maintained power by disbanding all other political parties and using a system of terror and repression to control all aspects of German life. Signup and view all the answers

List 3 problems faced by the Weimar Republic.

The difficulty of forming a strong coalition government, interference from France in the Ruhr, and runaway inflation. Signup and view all the answers

What racial and nationalistic ideas did Nazis promote?

That Germans were a superior race, and Jewish people were responsible for many of Germany's problems. Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the restrictions that Hitler placed on German Jews?

Jewish people were not allowed to marry non-Jews, attend or teach at German schools, pursue certain careers. Signup and view all the answers

Why did dictators gain power in much of Eastern Europe?

Economic problems and ethnic tensions weakened democratic governments and helped dictators to gain power. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Japan in the 1920s and 1930s

Economic growth characterized Japan's 1920s, with a more liberal government and reduced expansionist ambitions.
Ultrnationalist groups gained control in the 1930s, leading to restricted freedoms and renewed imperialism, particularly in Manchuria.

Political Landscape Changes in Japan

Political parties strengthened during the 1920s, asserting influence in the Diet.
Expansion of rights occurred alongside economic development during this period.

Nationalists and the Great Depression

In response to the Great Depression, Japanese nationalists advocated for renewed territorial expansion.
Army officers executed a plan to invade Manchuria, bypassing government discussions.

Geographic Influences on Japanese Expansion

Japan’s status as a small island nation spurred its desire for territorial expansion to secure natural resources and manage population overflow.

Military Leaders in Times of Crisis

During crises, nations tended to rely on military leaders and ultranationalists for promises of security and cultural revival.

Changes in Western Society Post-WWI

The younger generation rejected Victorian values, causing social rebellion.
Writers and artists critically expressed disillusionment and explored new artistic styles, prompting scientific advancements.

Flappers symbolized the rejection of Victorian moral standards, signifying a cultural shift in the 1920s.

Contributions of Einstein and Freud

Einstein's theories suggested that measurements of space and time are not absolute, challenging traditional scientific understandings.
Freud emphasized the importance of the subconscious, raising doubts about the supremacy of reason in human behavior.

Challenges for Leading Democracies

Post-war democracies struggled with rebuilding ravaged economies and faced political unrest amidst a growing economic crisis.

Britain's and France's Post-WWI Status

Britain and France emerged victorious but confronted significant political divisions and fragile economies.

Efforts to Maintain Peace

Major powers signed treaties and relied on the League of Nations to prevent aggression, though enforcement proved ineffective.

Causes of the Great Depression

Falling consumer demand led to overproduction issues.
Interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve Board decreased both spending and investment.
The 1929 financial crisis intensified economic decline.

Impact of the Great Depression on U.S. Politics

The New Deal resulted in unprecedented federal government involvement in daily American life.

Rise of Fascism in Italy

Mussolini capitalized on postwar turmoil to establish fascist control, reflecting widespread discontent.

Italy’s Post-WWI Challenges

Italy faced territorial loss, unemployment, and weak governments, allowing Mussolini to unify support through exploitation of grievances.

Mussolini's Economic Goals

Aimed for economic growth and workplace stability, he imposed state control over the economy, outlawing strikes.

Comparisons of Fascism and Communism

Similarities: both supported social change, embraced totalitarianism, and claimed to represent the people's interests.
Differences: communism sought a classless society, whereas fascism emphasized nationalism and hierarchical class structures.

Mussolini's Views on Women and Employment

He considered machines and working women as causes for unemployment, advocating for women who bore children while limiting their employment opportunities.

Stalin's Totalitarian Transformation of the USSR

Stalin centralized government control over all economic activities and used terror tactics to suppress dissent.

Goals of Stalin's Five-Year Plans

Intended to enhance both industry and agriculture; however, they succeeded in industrial growth but failed to improve agricultural output significantly due to peasant resistance.

Command vs. Capitalist Economies

In a command economy, the government dictates economic decisions; in a capitalist economy, a free market predominantly controls them.

Methods of Stalin's Totalitarian Control

Employed stringent measures and violence to quell opposition and enforce conformity within Soviet society.

Hitler’s Rise to Totalitarian Power in Germany

Hitler ascended to power by promising solutions to national problems, enforcing a regime through political repression and terror.

Challenges of the Weimar Republic

Faced issues with forming coalition governments, external interference (notably French in the Ruhr), and hyperinflation.

Nazi Racial and Nationalistic Ideologies

Promoted the idea of Aryan superiority while scapegoating Jewish communities for Germany's issues.

Restrictions on Jewish People Under Hitler

Jews faced severe restrictions, including bans on intermarriage, education, and certain professions, marking a step towards systemic discrimination.

Dictatorships in Eastern Europe

Economic distress and ethnic conflicts eroded democratic foundations, facilitating the rise of dictators across the region.

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Explore the significant transformations in Japan during the 1920s and 1930s. This quiz focuses on Japan's economic growth, political shifts towards ultranationalism, and societal changes during this tumultuous period. Test your knowledge with these flashcards on Japan's history between the wars.