USA Containment in Asia Flashcards
What happened in 1947?
The USA started a ‘reverse course’ towards Japan. Instead of punishing it, the USA wanted to help it economically for post War stability. They wanted Japan to remain aligned to the USA and less vulnerable to communist influence in the Far East.
When and why did Japan join GATT?
(General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade).
Strengthened Japan’s access to Western trade and prevented trade with communist China from late 1950.
When and why did Japan become important to the USA?
February 1950 when Mao Zedong formed a military alliance with USSR, then later helped them in the Korean War.
What did MacArthur do in Japan?
He was in control of Japan’s rearmament. Rearmament was an economic asset to Japan, but did create some internal instability due to pro and anti rearmament attitudes.
Why was NSC-68 created?
In 1949, the USA’s nuclear monopoly ended as the USSR tested it’s atomic bomb. Also, China went communist which triggered a change in USA’s strategic objectives and priorities.
What was NSC-68?
It stressed the urgency of building the USA’s political, economic and military power. It focused on the globalisation of the Cold War and the application of containment militarily.
What was significant about 1950?
It was a turning point in the Cold War due to NSC-68 and activity in the Far East.
