Nazi party rally grounds by Finod, 1934. Public Domain.
Introduction
Our project explores what freedom looked like in Germany and Japan between World War One and World War Two, specifically focusing on political, economic, and social freedoms. We wanted to investigate the connections between restrictions placed on freedom in these countries in the interwar period and the events that ultimately led to the Second World War.
Through expansion and political manuevering, Germany and Japan were able to impose their will on neighboring countries. Part of this process was establishing an "us" and a "them". In Japan, a push for more independence made foreign countries the "them". Germany's "them" was anyone who did not fit Adolf Hitler's criteria (a master Aryan race), specifically Jewish people. Japan's lack of natural resources led to a desire for more economic freedom that was a primary motivation for its expansion. Under Hitler's rule, political and social freedoms became almost nonexistant for German citizens. When World War Two broke out in 1939, nothing less than the future of freedom around the world was at stake.
Through expansion and political manuevering, Germany and Japan were able to impose their will on neighboring countries. Part of this process was establishing an "us" and a "them". In Japan, a push for more independence made foreign countries the "them". Germany's "them" was anyone who did not fit Adolf Hitler's criteria (a master Aryan race), specifically Jewish people. Japan's lack of natural resources led to a desire for more economic freedom that was a primary motivation for its expansion. Under Hitler's rule, political and social freedoms became almost nonexistant for German citizens. When World War Two broke out in 1939, nothing less than the future of freedom around the world was at stake.
This video details the political, economic, and social changes in Japan during the interwar period. The impact of the Great Depression was immense in Japan because of its reliance on exports.
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This video includes portions of speeches from Adolf Hitler highlighting the "us vs. them" mentality and encouraging the German people to exercise their freedom.
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