Question

You have learned about some of the key actions taken by the German, Japanese, and U.S. governments to address the Great Depression. Using reliable resources, you will now research additional responses from these countries.

-For each country, record three responses to the Great Depression not covered in this lesson (ideas mentioned in timelines are O.K.). Be sure to include the date of each response.

-At least one response for each country should involve that country's military.

-When you finish your research, write a few sentences summarizing each country's overall response to the Great Depression.

Answer 1

Germany, Japan, and the United States each had unique responses to the Great Depression, with Germany focusing on rearmament, Japan on territorial expansion for resources, and the U.S. on economic stimulus and preparing for potential war production through the New Deal and other policies.

Step-by-step explanation:

The responses of Germany, Japan, and the U.S. to the Great Depression varied considerably due to their different economic structures, societal needs, and political climates. Below is a summary of additional actions each of these countries took in response to this global crisis.

• Germany: With the Great Depression's devastating impact on Germany, unemployment and economic turmoil were rampant. In response, the Nazi government, which rose to power partly due to the economic distress, initiated a massive effort to rebuild and rearm the country in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Significant military spending began around 1933 as a means to reduce unemployment and stimulate the economy.
• Japan: Japan's reliance on exports meant the Great Depression hit its economy hard. To address this and resource scarcities, Japan's militarist government saw territorial expansion as a solution. The invasion of Manchuria in 1931 was a pivotal move aimed at securing resources and alleviating economic distress through military means.
• United States: President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal was a series of programs and policies aimed at lifting the country out of the depression. One key military-related aspect was the Industrial Mobilization Plan in 1939, which began preparations for potential war production, ultimately helping to provide a boost in employment and industrial output.

Overall, each country's approach to managing the Great Depression had distinct characteristics. Germany's response revolved around autarky and rearmament under a fascist regime, Japan sought empire expansion for economic stability, and the United States pursued a path of government intervention and economic stimulus through the New Deal and military preparedness programs.