The Widening of the Cold War, 1949-1955: US Containment in Action in Asia - the Reconstruction of Japan

Question 1

How did Japan become a US occupation?

Answer 1

• Japan surrendered unconditionally at end of WWII
• US began sole occupation which was agreed among the US, UK, USSR and China
• But USSR wanted Japan to be split like Germany
• Agreed occupation would last until 1952

Question 2

Highlight the different stages of US occupation in Japan

Answer 2

• 1945-47, Occupation
- Unconditional surrender and military occupation

• 1947-48, the Start of the ‘Reverse Course’
- Focus on creating ally, rather than punishing Japan
• 1949, Economic Stabilisation
- Aimed at building capitalist power

• 1950 onwards, Anti-communist Containment Ally
• The San Francisco Peace Treaty 1951

Question 3

Who was put in charge of rebuilding Japan?

Answer 3

• September 1945 - US General Douglas MacArthur was made SCAP (Supreme Commander of Allied Powers)
• Given decision powers to rebuild Japan

Question 4

Describe the 1945-47 stage of US occupation

Answer 4

• September 1945 - US General Douglas MacArthur made SCAP
• Hate from Americans towards Japan due to war-crimes
• People wanted occupation to have punishments and re-education
• There would be re-education, democratisation, economic reform, demilitarisation

Question 5

Describe the 1947-48 ‘reverse course’ stage of US occupation

Answer 5

• In 1947, US policy towards Japan became less focused on punishment, more focused on recovery
• Development of democratic institutions and economic reconstruction to achieve political stability
• US targeted communists and sympathisers instead of war criminals

Question 6

Why did US policy towards Japan change to a ‘reverse course’?

Answer 6

• Due to intensification of Cold War in Europe and growing threat of Communist forces against Nationalist China
• Japan’s recovery needed to become a US power base in Asia
• Japan needed to be a rich US ally to prevent growth of communist influences in Japan and Asia

Question 7

Describe the 1949 economic stabilisation stage of US occupation

Answer 7

• Period focused on economic recovery, austerity and adopting US capitalist system
• ‘Super balanced budget’ increased income and reduced expenditure and borrowing
• Initially led to rise in unemployment due to business closures
• Japan joins GATT to increase trade

Question 8

Explain what the ‘super balanced budget’ is

Answer 8

• Former Detroit banker, Joseph Dodge worked with Japan’s Finance Minister, Hayato Ikeda
• Set a surplus target of nearly 157 million yen (just over $4 million)
• All gov. income and spending was monitored and stuck to strict guidelines
• Aimed at balancing income and expenditure to minimise borrowing and create surplus for extra stability
• Initially led to rise in unemployment due to business closures

Question 9

Explain what GATT is

Answer 9

• The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was created with the UN at end of WWII
• Multinational agreement to manage international trade and tried reducing tariffs and duties to encourage international trade
• Increased Japan’s access to Western trade
• Prevented trade with communist China from late 1950

Question 10

How did the communist world react to US policy in Japan?

Answer 10

• USSR disapproved of rebuilding Japan’s economy as it would restore its military strength also
• Partly led to signing of Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Assistance between PRC and USSR in February 1950

Question 11

What was the ‘Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Assistance’?

Answer 11

• Signed between USSR and PRC on 14 February 1950
• Recognised PRC and recalled recognition of ROC
• Aimed at preventing aggression from Japan and its allies
• Would resort to military means if they were attacked by Japan or its allies

Question 12

What was the ‘San Francisco Peace Treaty’?

Answer 12

• Signed on 8 September, 1951 between Japan and Allied Powers
• Ended US occupation
• Japan surrendered claims to territory in China, Korea and Taiwan
• Japan would provide compensation to Allied civilians and prisoners-of-war
• Reparations to be made to war-affected states e.g Vietnam, Philippines, Burma, Indonesia
• Japan required to sign US-Japan Security Treaty (1951)

Question 13

How did the USSR react to the ‘San Francisco Peace Treaty’?

Answer 13

• Did not sign it

- Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko protested it turned Japan into a US military base

Question 14

What was the US-Japan Security Treaty?

Answer 14

• Signed in 1951

• Gave US:

• Unrestricted use of military bases in Japan
• Administrative control of Okinawa (island separate from Japan’s mainland)
• Right to use military force to intervene in any internal disorder in Japan
• Right to veto Japan offering military bases to other states

Question 15

Why did the US and Japan create the San Francisco Peace Treaty and the Security Treaty?

Answer 15

• Clear that Japan was vital for containment in Asia
• Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida used opportunity to restore Japan’s sovereignty and gain security from US
• In return, Japan would accept US troops on its land