12.5 Resistance, Civil Rights, and Democracy

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Describe the expansion of liberty and civil rights in Western Europe and the United States during the interwar period
• Analyze the development of democracies in Asia during the interwar period and the challenges they faced
• Explain the rise of militarism in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s
• Describe the growth of popular culture in the 1920s and 1930s

War is often a catalyst for societal change, and this was certainly true of World War I. Women had long fought for increased political rights, and the next decade saw the franchise for women expand in several countries. Women also adopted freer styles of dress and defied traditional gender roles by working outside the home and dancing and drinking in public. Likewise, the status of African Americans in the United States drew more attention as civil rights leaders emphasized the contributions of African American veterans to showcase the need for fair treatment, and writers and musicians used their work to give voice to the Black experience and to honor their heritage. Many countries embarked on efforts to incorporate more democratic principles. It was not an easy process, and many nations continued to face significant challenges in achieving their goals. The 1920s and 1930s also witnessed the growth of new forms of popular culture—the radio and movies—that appealed to the masses.