US Containment in action in Asia

Question 1

Reconstruction of Post-War Japan

Answer 1

• US introduced its ‘reverse course’ towards Japan
• Meant that US not focused on the punishment with reparations, instead wanted a firm democratic institution and practises towards economic reconstruction
• By start of 1949 MacArthur as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP)

Question 2

How US planned for Economic Stabilisation in Japan

Answer 2

• Wage controls
• More efficient tax system
• Price controls
• Increased regulation of trade
• Increased regulation of foreign exchange
• Balanced budget
• Stricter Lending criteria
• This was a program created by Joseph Dodge who appointed economic adviser of SCAP
  -Created super balanced budget which set a target of $4 million surplus
• Japan joined General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

Question 3

GATT

Answer 3

• Created with the United Nations
• Formed through multinational agreement to manage international trade and attempted to limit tariffs to maximise trade

Question 4

US-Japanese relations

Answer 4

• Japan’s geopolitical significance entered new phase when China formed military alliance with USSR and then joined North Korea in Korean war June 1950
• Japan became crucial in US goal to contain communism
• Lead to post WW2 treaty with USA as a chance of Japan’s defence

Question 5

San Francisco Peace Treaty

Answer 5

• September 1951
  -The treaty did not
  
  • Place significant restriction on Japan’s economy
  • Place restrictions on Japan’s future political model
  • Identify Japan’s responsibility for the war
  • Restrict Japan’s future rearmament
• USSR and PRC didn’t sign the treaty
• The treaty did
  
  • Recognise sovereignty of Japanese people
  • Japan to renounce any claim to territories Korea, Taiwan, Kurile Islands, Spratly Islands and Paracel Islands

Question 6

US-Japan security agreement 1951

Answer 6

Gave USA
- Unrestricted access to military bases in Japan
- Administrative control of Owkinawa
- Right to use military force to intervene in any disorder in Japan
- Right to veto Japan offering military bases to other states

Question 7

Japan’s Rearmament

Answer 7

• MacArthur ordered Japan to establish
  
  • 75,000 strong National Police Force
• August 1952 Japanese Government established
  
  • 110,00 ground troops
  • 7600 maritime personnel
• Eisenhower administration took over and wanted an enlarged Japanese defence force and invested $240 million

Question 8

USA’s Support for Jiang Jieshi

Answer 8

• Start of 1949 communist victory over Jieshi nationalist forces (KMT)
• Mao considered US support for Jiang Jieshi
• June 1949 Mao consolidated CCP as it announced allegiance with the USSR
• US had an interest that the CCP doesn’t fall under USSR influence
• Dean Acheson ( George Marshall’s successor) was committed to supporting KMT and wanted the US to do nothing that reinforce a Sino-Soviet alliance
• Acheson’s White Paper on China 30th July 1949 the US tried to justify withdrawal of support for Jieshi

Question 9

Defensive Perimeter Strategy

Answer 9

• Policies towards far east reviewed in 1950 thinking based on the security of the pacific
• Acheson argued military defence of Japan was the priority
• Defensive perimeter covered Japan and the Philippines Islands
• Criticised for leaving out Korea

Question 10

NSC-68

Answer 10

-September 1949 USA nuclear monopoly ended as USSR tested its own bomb
- Also loss of China lead to US review of strategic objectives and priorities and in the form of NSC-68
- Stressed the urgency of building the USA’s political, economic and military power
- Focused on the application of containment as in June 1950 North Korea invaded the South