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

2. Introduction
Prior to WWII, Japan had taken over parts of China and Korea and other areas of Southern and Eastern Asia.
WWII was fought in two main theaters: The European Theater and the Pacific Theater.
So much fighting took place in Asia that many Asian countries needed to be rebuilt after the war.

3. Prior to WWII, Japan had taken over parts of what countries in Southern and Eastern Asia?
China and Korea and other areas of Southern and Eastern Asia

4. How did the United States react to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor?
America was very angry and shocked and the people were ready for war. We declared war in a matter of days
The USA had entered WWII.
December 7, 1941

5. Who were the Allied Forces?
USA, England,
Russia (USSR)

6. Allied Forces USA—FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt)
Great Britian—Churchill
Soviet Union—Stalin
Over 61 million died

7. Axis Powers Germany—Hitler Japan—Hirohito Italy—Mussolini
12 million died

8. In August of 1945 America dropped atomic bombs on what two Japanese cities?
Hiroshima and Nagasaki

9. What was the name of the American general who was in charge of the U.S. army occupying Japan?
General MacArthur

10. What were three steps that General MacArthur took to help rebuild Japan?
Japan’s military was disbanded and weapons factories were closed.
Government and military leaders involved in the bombings at Pearl Harbor were brought to trial and punished.
A constitutional monarchy was established – the Japanese had the same rights as Americans and the emperor’s power was limited.

11. At the end of WWII, much of Japan’s infrastructure was gone
At the end of WWII, much of Japan’s infrastructure was gone. What is infrastructure?
It consists of the public systems and services of a nation. Ex. Roads, railroads, bridges, buildings, sewer systems, power lines, etc.

12. One of the MAIN reasons the United States occupied Japan after WWII was that
The United States never wanted Japan to be a militaristic power again.

13. What were the goals of the United States in the effort to rebuild Japan after WWII?
Rebuilding Japan’s infrastructure.
Establishing a new, democratic government.
Helping Japan’s economy recover.

14. What was America’s overall feeling about what type of country Japan needed to become after the end of WWII?
U.S. leaders wanted Japan to become a peaceful nation, with a stable democratic government.

15. What were some of the things America helped Japan do in order to rebuild their nation?
They helped rebuild the economy by rebuilding the infrastructure.
In the country they helped farmers.
All of the military leaders were stripped of their power.

16. At the end of the war Japan had to give up some territory
At the end of the war Japan had to give up some territory. What did they have to give up and what did they get to keep?
Give up Keep
Manchuria Only home islands
Formosa (Taiwan)

17. What is the United States – Japanese Mutual Security Pact?
It prohibits the use of nuclear weapons and military attacks against the Japanese without the knowledge of the Japanese government.
(A direct response to the civilian deaths caused by Hiroshima and Nagasaki.)

18. How long did the U.S. occupation of Japan last?
It lasted from – 7 years.
In general the people were very comfortable with the changes that took place after WWII. The economy recovered quickly and grew.

19. What happened to the Japanese emperor’s power at the end of WWII?
The Japanese emperor was stripped of his power and became a figurehead.
The Japanese monarchy is the longest continuous monarchy in the world.

20. Emperor Hirohito
( )
Emperor Akihito
Current Emperor

21. Japan’s Royal Family

22. What type of government was established in Japan after WWII?
A constitutional monarchy

23. Describe Japan’s economy today.
Today Japan has the fifth-largest economy in the world (2012).
European Union
United States
China
India