Rebuilding Japan after World War II Americas post
Rebuilding Japan after World War II America’s post war ally
Devastation Japan was devastated at the conclusion of World War II n All major cities except Kyoto were destroyed n The entire infrastructure of Japan needed rebuilding n
Occupation of Japan 1945 - 1952: Allied powers occupy Japan (mostly U. S. forces) n General Mac. Arthur: first Supreme Commander n The goal was to establish a democratic government in Japan n To the Pacific basin has come the vista of a new emancipated world. Today, freedom is on the offensive, democracy is on the march. --Gen. Douglas Mac. Arthur September 2, 1945
Changes for Japan The Allied (U. S. ) forces implemented the following major changes: n New constitution n Lost all territory n Land reform n Demilitarization n
New Constitution went into effect in 1947: Constitutional Monarchy n Emperor lost all his political and military power n – Figurehead: a symbol of the state Universal suffrage n Human rights achieved n
The End of Colonialism n n Japan lost all of its territory that it had acquired after 1894 – Japan no longer occupied Korea or China Dispute over the Kurile Islands – Tension with Russia
Land Reform Concentration of power was dissolved n Land ownership was redistributed n End of the Zaibatsu: n – Business conglomerate that controlled Japan’s economy ever since the Meiji period
Demilitarization: Japan’s war machine was dismantled (no more military) n War criminals were tried n Self Defence Force : (1954) in place of a full standing military n Allied occupation ends in 1952 n
Economic Growth n Japan experienced vast economic growth in the post war years: – Increase in living standards – Stable government – Korean War – Rise in Industry
Industry over agriculture n Japanese industry flourishes in the post war era, less emphasis on agriculture: – Electronics – Automobiles
Response n n n Answer the following on a sheet of paper: (1) Why would the Allied powers want to establish a democracy in Japan? (2) How could a democratic Japan benefit the U. S. economy? (3) Why do you think Japan focused on industry instead of agriculture? (Hint: Think about geography) (4) Make a list of all the products made in Japan you can think of and explain how they have impacted your life
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