Japan After World War II

Enduring Understandings 1.Conflict and Change: When there is conflict between or within societies, change is the result. 2. Time, Continuity, & Change: While change occurs over time, there is continuity to the basic structure of society

Georgia Performance Standards SS7H3 The student will analyze continuity and change in Southern and Eastern Asia leading to the 21 st century. c. Explain the role of the United States in the rebuilding of Japan after World War II

Japan before WWII Japan was considered the strongest country in Asia after defeating China in 1895 and Russia in The Japanese colonized Korea, Taiwan, Manchuria and islands in the Pacific. In the treaty of Versailles, Japan was given the Shangdong province of China, expanding its empire. In 1937 Japan invaded China. Japan also developed ties with Italy and Germany. Then on December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, bringing the U.S. into WWII.

Pearl Harbor Bombing- 1941

Facts about the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima ---YOU DON’T NEED TO WRITE THIS DOWN! On August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped an Atomic Bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. 60,000-80,000 people died as a direct result of the bomb blast. About 100 square miles of the city was completely destroyed. Over the next 10 years, 40,000 people died as a result of injuries from the bomb or radiation poisoning. On August 7, 1945, the U.S. demanded Japan surrender immediately and unconditionally. On August 9, 1945, the U.S. dropped a second Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki, Japan.

Nagasaki & Hiroshima Bombings in Japan

After World War II After the war, Japan’s economy and government were a mess and cities were destroyed. Transportation and industry (infrastructure) were damaged. Many people were homeless and unemployed and there were also massive food shortages.

The United States also occupied the territory after the war from The USA helped Japan rebuild after WWII ended. We helped their citizens and government get back on track. Japan was forced to give back control of the Koreas.

USA made a new constitution for Japan and new laws. In 1947 the Emperor lost all political power-he became just a symbol of the country. They were forbidden to rebuild their military. The constitution also does not allow Japan to declare war unless they are attacked first. The US helped Japan set up a new democratic government that is now a constitutional monarchy. Japan was forbidden to lead a war or have a military ever again. However because of the fears that communism was spreading the US started encouraging the rebuilding of an army.

Benefits of US Occupation A new constitution granted Japanese citizens basic civil rights. Because of western influence, women were given more rights in Japanese society. Education increased. (They have a 99% literacy rate today.) They were able to build new and improved factories (helping them become a technological powerhouse today).

The End of US Occupation The San Francisco Peace Treaty officially marked the end of US occupation in Japan. It would go into affect on April 28, The US still has functional army bases in Japan to this day.