Chapter 3: Changes in the International Order, Popularization, and Us (Integrated History)
Hello everyone! Welcome to the third pillar of Integrated History: "Changes in the International Order, Popularization, and Us."
You might be thinking, "World wars, economic depressions... there are so many dark, complicated events to memorize!" But don't worry!
The core idea of this unit is actually very straightforward. The key is understanding "an era when ordinary people (the masses) took center stage in history" and "an era when the ties between the world and Japan tightened dramatically, hurtling into global crises."
The Common Test frequently asks you to analyze primary sources to unpack the interconnectedness between Japan and the wider world, rather than looking at them in isolation. Let’s break it down step-by-step and build a solid understanding together!
*Note: This era serves as a crucial bridge connecting the previous chapter on modernization ("Modernization and Us") to post-war modern society ("Globalization and Us").
---1. World War I and the Advent of Mass Society
In the early 20th century, the world experienced a war of unprecedented scale: World War I. Unlike traditional conflicts fought solely by soldiers on the front lines, this conflict turned into a "total war" that mobilized all of a nation's citizens, factories, and resources.
(1) Social Changes Brought by Total War and the Rise of Socialism
Waging a total war required not only male soldiers on the battlefield, but also the indispensable cooperation of women and industrial workers producing munitions back home. Consequently, once the war ended, demands surged worldwide: "We contributed to our country, so grant us the right to participate in politics (suffrage)!"
Furthermore, amidst wartime turmoil, the Russian Revolution erupted, leading to the formation of the Soviet Union (USSR), the world's first socialist state. This spread of socialist thought had a profound impact on labor movements and nationalist movements in colonies across the globe.
(2) Formation of Mass Society and Democratic Trends
In the wake of the war, democratic trends swept through Western nations and Japan (such as Taisho Democracy), prominently featuring the introduction of universal suffrage. Political participation expanded from a select, privileged class to ordinary citizens (the masses). Simultaneously, mass media—such as newspapers, radio, and cinema—spread rapidly, bringing about the flourishing of a mass society.
While the masses became the protagonists of politics and culture, this era also gave rise to new challenges, such as information manipulation through media and the overheating of public opinion.
(3) The New International Order (Versailles-Washington System) and the Dawn of Decolonization
After World War I, replacing a devastated Europe, the rise of the United States established it as an economic superpower. Under American leadership, the League of Nations was founded to maintain global peace, and the Versailles-Washington System was established in pursuit of international cooperation.
Moreover, influenced by the principle of "national self-determination" championed during the war and the Russian Revolution, Asia and Africa witnessed the dawn of decolonization (Asian and African nationalism), with people demanding national independence and civil rights.
[Key Takeaways]
Total war mobilization → Improved status for women and workers → Expansion of universal suffrage and the birth of mass society!
At the same time, the two major currents shaping our modern world were born: the establishment of the Soviet Union and the rise of the United States.
[Fun Fact]
Mass society was symbolized by the start of radio broadcasting and the widespread popularity of cinema. The modern lifestyle—where everyone listens to the same news broadcasts and enjoys the same hit songs—was truly forged during the 1920s!
2. Economic Crisis (The Great Depression) and World War II
Just when peace and prosperity seemed destined to endure, an unprecedented disaster struck the world out of nowhere: the economic crisis (Great Depression) that began in the United States in 1929.
(1) The Shock of the Great Depression and National Responses
Triggered by the Wall Street stock market crash, waves of economic downturn rippled across the globe in no time. The mass-production, mass-consumption economic system that mass society took pride in suddenly collapsed. Nations took vastly different paths to escape this turmoil:
• Nations with vast colonies and markets (US, Britain, France, etc.): Adopted bloc economy policies to shield their spheres of influence, while the state intervened actively in the market.
• "Have-not" nations (Germany, Italy, etc.): Plagued by extreme unemployment and social instability, they saw the rise of fascism, which rejected democracy and pursued territorial aggression abroad.
(2) Shifts in Japanese Politics and Diplomacy
Japan was hit directly by the Great Depression and the subsequent Showa Depression, suffering severe blows particularly in rural agricultural communities and small-to-medium enterprises. As party politics failed to deliver effective solutions, public discontent surged, paving the way for the rise of the military.
To break through this crisis, Japan expanded onto the Asian continent (northeastern China, etc.) and pivoted toward a military-led aggressive foreign policy. As a result, Japan withdrew from frameworks of international cooperation like the Washington System, leading to drastic changes in Japanese politics and diplomacy.
[Common Pitfall]
It is easy to assume that "the Great Depression was purely an American domestic problem that had nothing to do with Japan!" In reality, Japan was heavily dependent on exporting raw silk to the US at the time, so it suffered a devastating economic blow. This economic chaos served as the crucial trigger that dismantled Japanese party politics and accelerated its overseas military expansion.
(3) Outbreak and Course of World War II
The collective security framework of the League of Nations became dysfunctional, failing to halt the aggression of fascist regimes. Consequently, humanity plunged into the most horrific catastrophe in history: World War II.
This conflict became the ultimate total war: the boundary between soldiers and civilians vanished entirely, and all aspects of science, technology, and industry were mobilized. After causing immense devastation worldwide, the war finally concluded with the defeat of the Axis powers.
[Key Takeaways]
Economic turmoil from the Great Depression → Destabilization of democracy and the rise of fascism / Japanese foreign expansion → Collapse of international cooperation → The road to World War II.
3. Changes in the International Order, Popularization, and Contemporary Issues
The events that unfolded during this era are far more than just history of the past. They lie at the very root of the complex challenges confronting the society we live in today.
(1) Light and Shadows of Democracy and Popularization
The rise of mass society granted ordinary citizens the right to participate in politics (the "light"). However, historical fascism clearly demonstrated the lurking danger: during periods of economic anxiety and social division, people can be swayed by demagogic leaders and exclusionary nationalism, destroying democracy from the inside out (the "shadow").
Even in our digital age with advanced social media, challenges inherent to mass society—such as "fake news" and the "polarization of public opinion"—continue to persist in new forms.
(2) The Challenges of International Cooperation and Peacebuilding
The League of Nations established after World War I lacked the coercive power to enforce military sanctions, and it proved unable to mediate conflicting national interests following the Great Depression, failing to prevent World War II. The painful lessons learned here were directly carried over into the next era (the post-war period), shaping the creation of the United Nations and the redesign of collective security frameworks.
[Key Message]
On the Common Test for Integrated History, questions frequently focus on "how people's lives, political systems, and global rules were fundamentally restructured in the wake of World War I and the Great Depression." Rather than merely memorizing individual dates, always approach your studies by tracing the thread of "Causes (Why did it happen?)," "Changes (How did society transform?)," and "Relevance to the Present Day!"