2.1 - Japan Flashcards
What decision was made at Yalta regarding Japan?
USSR would declare war to assist USA
Who was in control and what was established in December 1945?
MacArthur and an Inter-Allied committee
What influenced the reconstruction of Japan?
- Suffered 3 million deaths in WW2
- Major starvation issues
- Poor economy
- Most importantly could become a target for Soviet expansion
What was Stage 1 of Japanese reconstruction?
Demilitarisation and disarmament
What did MacArthur initially do to Japanese army and weapons?
Dismantled the army and destroyed the weapons
- 200,000 militarists purged from public life
When did the new constitution come into place?
May 1947
What did the new constitution implement?
- Political parties could exist
- Women gained equal rights
-Hirohito removed from politics - MacArthur became god like figure
What was stage 2 of Japanese reconstruction?
Economic reform
Following WW2 what was the situation of Japan’s economy?
Depended on imports for food and materials and industrial production was low
What did congress provide to Japan in 1949?
$500 million for food and raw materials
How did the economic reform benefit them both through trade and finance?
- Built up foreign trade
- Fixed exchange rates to boost exports
What was Stage 3?
Role of Japan in US containment
Benefits for West becoming allied with Japan
- Industrial and military resources
- Military base in north-east Asia
- Example to encourage non communist countries to fight against communism
What was Stage 4?
Japan at centre of US defensive strategy
When was the San Fransisco Peace Treaty?
8th September 1951
