USA containment in Asia Flashcards
Why was Japan important in the USA’s policy of containment after 1945?
Japan was a crucial country in the USA’s policy of containment because the Allies wanted to prevent any potential alliance between Japan and the USSR, and Japan’s position in Asia was strategically significant.
How did the Allies assist in the reconstruction of postwar Japan?
At Potsdam, Japan accepted occupation by Allied forces in exchange for postwar recovery assistance. The Allies helped Japan with de-militarization and democratization, establishing a liberal government to avoid a return to right-wing imperialism. Japan’s economy was restructured with efficient taxation, a balanced budget, and membership in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) to promote international trade.
What was the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1951?
The treaty was signed between Japan and the USA, with other Allied powers (excluding the USSR). It required Japan to renounce territorial claims on neighboring areas, including Taiwan and Korea, and restored Japan’s sovereignty. It acknowledged Japan’s importance to the USA in the context of containment in Asia.
What was the US-Japan Security Treaty of 1951?
Signed immediately after the San Francisco Peace Treaty. The treaty allowed the USA unrestricted use of military bases in Japan, administrative control over Okinawa, and the right to use military force in Japan. It also gave the USA the right to veto Japanese offers of military bases in other countries.
How did the USA manage Japanese rearmament?
Between 1951-1954, the USA monitored Japan’s rearmament and limited the size of its military. After 1954, Japan was allowed to have a defensive military force limited to 140,000 men to protect itself from growing Communist threats in the East.
How did the creation of the People’s Republic of China impact the Cold War?
The creation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 deepened fears in the West, as it signaled the spread of communism, particularly in Asia. This event, coupled with the division of Germany, marked a significant point in the escalation of the Cold War.
What were the events that further intensified the spread of communism in the early 1950s?
In February 1950, China formed a military alliance with the USSR, deepening communist influence. In June 1950, North Korea (a communist state) invaded South Korea, leading to the Korean War.
How did the USA respond to the growing spread of communism in the East?
The USA increased its military and intelligence spending to combat the rising communist power. US foreign policy shifted to include the recovery of Japan and support for anti-communist governments in the East, including South Korea and the Nationalist government of Jiang Jieshi in Taiwan.
What was the NSC-68 and when was it created?
The NSC-68 was a top-secret document created in April 1950 by the National Security Council. It outlined America’s national security strategy, advocating for increased military spending and the build-up of both conventional and nuclear forces to counter the growing communist threat.
What were the key points of the NSC-68?
It called for a significant increase in military spending, both conventional and nuclear, to deter war and secure the East. It recommended placing maximum strain on the Soviet Union’s power structure and maintaining strong relations with non-Soviet nations. The document also suggested keeping the American public informed about the national security threats to gain their support. It was adopted in full when the Korean War broke out in 1950.
What did the NSC-68 emphasize regarding the United States’ military preparedness?
It stated that the US must substantially increase its air, ground, and sea strength, along with its atomic capabilities, to deter war. It also recommended helping non-Soviet nations strengthen their economic, political, and military stability to contribute to US security.
