1. Rebuilding Japan
SS7H3c
Explain the role of the United States in the rebuilding of Japan after WWII

2. Background Information
Japan did not like European influence in the region and wanted them to know that a “new era” had begun
Japan had almost no natural resources and needed them to survive and prosper
Emperor was a Shinto god
Shintoism was considered superior to other philosophies or religions of the world.

3. Shintoism in Japan Shinto became the state religion of Japan
A deity of Shinto was created in the Emperor of Japan
Military began seeing the Emperor as a god
Shintoism and emperor worship was incorporated into the schools, and encouraged to be a part of everyday life
They thought that the Emperor was a deity helped to promote the growth of the Japanese empire
This belief played a major role in Japan’s efforts in WWII.

4. Background Information
Japan begins to attack countries in East Asia
Including China (Manchuria)
Invades Other East
Asian countries:
Thailand
Philippines
Guam
Burma (Myanmar)
Borneo
Hong Kong
Manila

5. World War II Limited to the European Theatre until Pearl Harbor
Allies: U.S., France, U.K., Soviet Union
Axis: Germany, Italy, Japan

7. World War II
Japan declares war on the U.S. by bombing the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, America then declares war on Japan and enters WWII.

11. World War II Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and the Pacific Rim War began
Japan would not surrender and fought to the death
Kamikaze pilots became a standard for the Japanese military

12. The Bombing of Japan
Japan extremely weak after repeated battles, but continues fighting
Attack on the USS Indianapolis by Japan (881 men died) was the deciding factor for US to use the Atomic Bomb
US decides to end the war
The U.S. drops atomic bombs on Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending WWII
August 6, Hiroshima, Japan was bombed
August 9, 1945 Nagasaki, Japan was bombed

13. The Enola Gay was the B29 Bomber that dropped the first Atomic Bomb.

15. Nagasaki
Hiroshima

17. Japan Surrenders 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.
Video clip: Japan surrenders

18. The U.S. Occupation of Japan
After WWII, Japan was placed under international control of the Allies.
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.

19. Why did the U.S. help rebuild 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

20. The U.S. Occupation of Japan
MacArthur helps rebuild Japan and focuses on three areas:
Social
Political
Economic

21. How did the U.S. help rebuild Japan?
Social Reforms:
Changed Schools
Rebuilt homes
Provided Supplies
Citizens had to turn in weapons
Outlawed Martial Arts
English as a second language

22. How did the U.S. help rebuild Japan?
Political Reforms:
Government is no longer based on Shintoism
Japan becomes a constitutional Monarchy
Parliamentary democracy
Emperor is now a ceremonial leader
Can no longer declare war
No military
Everyone can vote

24. How did the U.S. help rebuild Japan?
Economic Reforms:
Changed economy from command to mixed/market
Improve infrastructure
Provided loans
Rebuilt factories
Invest in human and capital resources

25. In Summary… Reforms POLITICAL Constitution New Constitutional Monarchy
Emperor Stripped
of Power
Suffrage
Women’s
ECONOMIC
Infrastructure
Improve
Market Economy
Invest in Human and
Capital Resources
SOCIAL
2nd language
English as
Japan adopts
US culture

26. The End of U.S. Occupation
US ends their occupation of Japan in 1952.
Japan is granted membership into the United Nations in 1957.

27. Japan Today
U. S. financial support, along with the Japanese values of hard work lead to a period of great economic growth for Japan.
The Tokyo Labor College was one of the many institutions created after the war in order to promote more equitable economic development than had existed before

28. Japan represented a new market for American goods and services.
This helped improve both country’s economies.

29. Japan Today
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.

32. Let’s Review!
1. What U.S. General was put in charge of rebuilding Japan after WWII?
2. What role did the U.S. play in rebuilding Japan after World War II?
a. Helped Japan re-establish their emperor as leader with absolute power.
b. Helped rebuild Japan’s army.
c. Required Japan to pay war damages.
d. Developed a plan to help Japan’s economy recover and re-wrote their constitution.
3. What type of government did the U.S. set up in Japan following WWII?

33. Let’s Review!
4. What type of role did the emperor of Japan have in the new government?
5. What new changes were written into Japan’s new constitution?
a. Only men were allowed to vote.
b. The emperor was no longer part of the government.
c. Japan was not allowed to declare war on another country.
d. Japan must maintain a strong military.

34. From 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.

35. EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF THE
UNITED STATES
IN THE
REBUILDING
OF JAPAN
AFTER
WORLD WAR II
Japan declares war on the U.S. by bombing the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. America then declares war on Japan and enters WWII.
Japan is granted membership into the United Nations five years after a seven year U.S. occupation.
Political, economic, and social reforms were introduced, such as a freely elected Japanese Diet (legislature) and universal adult suffrage (voting rights). Japan establishes a constitutional monarchy.
U. S. financial support, along with the Japanese values of hard work lead to a period of great economic growth for Japan.
The U.S. drops atomic bombs on Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending WWII.
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.
After WWII, Japan was placed under international control of the Allies through the Supreme Commander, General Douglas MacArthur.
1945
2009
1955
1947
1952
1941