Rearmament

Rearmament meant expanding the armed forces and producing the equipment they needed. It reduced unemployment in two connected ways: men entered military service, while factories recruited workers to make weapons, aircraft and other supplies.

As the economy recovered and rearmament expanded, agriculture and industry needed more workers. Labour shortages were becoming important by 1936, pushing the regime to relax its attempts to keep women out of employment.

Rearmament created work in industries producing weapons and aircraft, while displays of military strength encouraged national pride. Expansion could also be presented as a way to obtain raw materials and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. In Japan, economic difficulties strengthened support for military expansion to secure resources.

Rearmament was another important source of employment. Conscription was introduced in 1935, and by 1939 the armed forces contained about 1.4 million men. Expanding the military also increased demand for weapons and equipment.