UNIT 6: ASIA SS7H3c Explain the role of the United States in the rebuilding of Japan after WWII

After WWII The Japanese surrendered in September of 1945. Their country had been reduced to rubble. Industries and farms were destroyed. The government was in shambles and the people were demoralized. The Emperor had been exposed as an ordinary mortal rather than the god the Japanese people had believed him to be.

Consequences and Reparations The Japanese signed all peace treaties ending the war and pledged to pay war reparations (damages) to the countries they had harmed during WWII. American troops were allowed to remain in Japan. The Japanese were not permitted to rebuild their army in any major way.

MacArthur General Douglas MacArthur, the American commander of the occupied forces, was given the job of putting Japan back on its feet. He was expected to create a Japan that would guarantee it would not pose a military threat to other countries in the future. MacArthur wanted Japan to have a democratic government, but he also appreciated the important place the Japanese emperor occupied in the Japanese culture.

Government Choices MacArthur decided to Japan would be a constitutional monarchy. A constitutional monarchy is one where… He wrote a constitution for the country, still referred to as The MacArthur Constitution, that created a two –house parliament called a Diet.

Japan’s Constitution In Japan’s new constitution The emperor remained as a symbol of the country. The people were granted universal suffrage Everyone over the age of 20 was allowed to vote for member of the Diet It also contained a Bill of Rights and guaranteed basic freedoms. One clause in this constitution prevents Japan from declaring war. They are allowed to fight ONLY if they are attacked first.

Reasons for US Rebuilding Japan Stop the spread of communism throughout Asia Promote democracy in the region by reforming Japan’s monarchy into a constitutional monarchy Improve Japan’s economy in order to trade with Japan and sell US products to Japan’s market

JAPANESE CHANGES

1952 – US ENDS OCCUPATION OF JAPAN US ends their occupation of Japan in 1952. Japan is granted membership into the United Nations in 1957.

1955 – US REBUILDS JAPAN’S ECONOMY U. S. financial support, along with the Japanese values of hard work lead to a period of great economic growth for Japan.

JAPAN REPRESENTED A NEW MARKET FOR AMERICAN GOODS AND SERVICES THIS HELPED IMPROVE BOTH COUNTRY’S ECONOMIES

2010 – JAPAN IS A MODEL NATION Today, Japan has one of the most powerful industrialized economies in the world. Like the U.S., Japan encourages a market economy which motivates people to develop new ideas and expand businesses.

A LEADER IN INOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY JAPAN TODAY – A LEADER IN INOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY

1941

‘Dust to Dominance’ Look at your performance task (the Rebuilding of Japan ‘Dust to Dominance’ timeline and story and collaborate with a partner and try to tell the story in your own words in chronological order.