The Causes and Consequences of Social Instability in Japan in the 1920s and Early 1930s

The Causes and Consequences of Social Instability in Japan in the 1920s and Early 1930s

Japan was an old-fashioned, ancient country in 1860s. With the help of

the reforms during the Menji Period (1868-1912), Japanunderwent the

processes of modernization and westernization. The military power,

economic, political conditions, etc. of Japan hugely improved and the

society was stable, steady and prosper. However, after the end of the

First World War, things turned bad. The society became instable. Riots

and assassinations of politicians were common. There were a number of

factors led to the social instability, which did cause a number of

impacts in later years.

If the needs of every social class were satisfied, it was hard to see

any social instability. What were the needs of the Japanese in 1920s?

The farmers or tenants looked for stable income and low land rent. The

urban workers didn't want to see unemployment. The factory owners

longed for a good oversea market. Therefore, their products could be

sold easily and made a profit. Militarists and ultra-nationalists

wanted to bring glory to Japan. Most of the people didn't want a

corrupt government while all wanted a powerful and prestige Japan.

Among the factors that led to the social instability, the economic

ones had a large extent leading to the social instability during the

1920s and early 1930s. During the First World War, the traditional

European powers, such as England, Germany, focus on producing the arms

product. The daily goods were produced by the United Statesand Japan,

which both made a huge profit. However, the economic and industry boom

failed to continue when the war e...

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serious military defeat that Modern Japan suffered. They were asked to

surround unconditionally and were occupied by the Allies in the

following years. The Allies, mainly the USA help the Japan to rebuilt,

reform and made sure they were not harmful to the international peace

in the future.

As shown, there were a number of internal and external reasons led to

the social instability in Japan during the 1920s and early 1930s. It

is fair to say the economic ones played a large extent as they

directly harmed the life of the commons. The consequences of the

social instability during the 1920s and early 1930s were significant.

The most significant one was the rise of the militarists. The other

consequences, such as the start of Pacific War, the Allied Occupation,

were mainly the result of the rise of militarists.