Chapter 5: US in Asia Flashcards
Japan, China, Defensive perimeter, NSC-68
1
Q
Who was Emperor Hirohito and what did he do?
A
- Head of Japan –> 1930s expansion into post war
- Symbol of peace and political + economic recovery
2
Q
Who was General Douglas MacArthur and what did he do?
A
- Supreme Commander of US forces from 1942
- Governor of Japan in occupation
- Political, economic + military reforms to make Japan an ally
3
Q
Who was Joseph Morell Dodge?
A
- Economic adviser for US policy in Japan and Germany
- Brought Japanese inflation under control and other economic policies
4
Q
- What happened in Japan 1945-7?
- What do the US focus on in these years?
A
- 1945 - surrender after atomic bombs
- US occupation - reeducation, democratisation, economic reform, demilitarisation
- focuses on punishment
5
Q
How does policy towards Japan change after 1947?
A
- Reverse course - less punishment, more reconstruction for stability (economic + political)
- Were focused on communist sympathisers instead of war criminals
6
Q
- Why does policy towards Japan change?
A
- They wanted to keep allied with Japan against communism –> especially in the East - to have an ally and trade
7
Q
- What does this new policy to Japan include?
A
- Increased regulation of trade, foreign exchange, lending, wages, taxes, prices
- Super balanced budget –> all money in + out closely regulated –> to reduce borrowing and create an economic cushion
8
Q
What immediate impact did these policies have?
A
- Initially increased unemployment due to closing businesses
9
Q
What agreement did Japan join and what did this mean?
A
- General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
- Strengthened access to western trade
- Banned trade with communist China
10
Q
What happened to China in 1949 and what was the consequences of this?
A
- Become Communist Oct 1949
- Sino - Soviet treaty of friendship - 1950
- Needed to stay strong against this in Asia
11
Q
What did new Japanese PM realise he could benefit from?
A
- Could get a new peace treaty with USA
- Could restore Japan and give it security
12
Q
What peace treaty was made for Japan and what did it state?
A
- San Francisco Peace Treaty (1951)
- Get full sovereignty but have to renounce territories
- US get military bases, control of Okinawa, can control Japan base placement, have a military outpost
13
Q
Describe Japanese rearmament
A
- 1951-4 –> military limited by US
- After –> helped to rearm to protect against communist threat
- National Police Reserve (NPR) inc by 75000
- 110,000 ground troops, 7600 navy –> new
- Nov 1952 –> announce plans for air force
- Supported by $240 million from US
14
Q
Who was Jiang Jieshi?
A
- Chinese nationalist leader
- Defeated in civil war and exiled to Taiwan
15
Q
Who was Mao Zedong?
A
- Chinese communist leader
- Won civil war
- Marxist / Leninist
