1. JAPAN AND THE COLD WAR 1945-52 Zoralla, Max and Amanda

2. Background: Japan’s defeat in WWII eliminated them as a major power in East Asia o Major power since the 1920’s The 2 nd Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) weakened the KMT but strengthened the CCP o CCP fought more aggressively and consistently in the War Japanese colonies of Malaysia, French Indochina and Dutch East Indies formed their own independent movements KMT (Kuomintang): Chinese Nationalist Party led by Chiang Kai-shek CCP: Chinese Communist Party led by Mao French Indochina: French colony consisting of today’s Lao’s, Cambodia and Vietnam Dutch East Indies: Became Indonesia

3. US Occupation of Japan: Soviet Union remained uninvolved in the war in Asia until August 1945 USSR declared war on Japan at the Yalta Conference after the surrender of Germany o In order to assist the US’ invasion of Japan In return the US gave consent to restore land and commercial rights Russia had before its defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) o Return Kuril Islands and Southern parts of Sakhalin Island o Restoration of Soviet Naval Base, Port Arthur o Control of Chinese Eastern Railroad and South Manchurian Railroad Yalta Conference: Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, and Franklin D. Roosevelt

4. US Occupation of Japan: US dropped Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki August 6-9 o Gave USSR assistance to defeat Japan USSR wasn’t aware and attacked Manchuria on August 9 These attacks led Japan to negotiate with the Allies o They announced an unconditional surrender on August 15 o USSR kept attacking Manchuria until August 25 On August 28, General Douglas was military ruler of Japan until they could rule themselves again

5. US-USSR Negotiations on the Occupation of Japan: Stalin wanted Japan to be separated in Allie Zones (like Germany) o Presented the idea at the Council of Foreign Ministers o The US rejected Stalin’s idea The USSR accused the US of turning Japan into a military base Allied Council for Japan was created o Made no decisions about Japan’s future The US provided most troops in Japan and was therefore able to dictate all of their policies Council of Foreign Ministers: Consisted of China, US, USSR, and Britain Allied Council for Japan: Consisted of Britain, US, USSR, China, and British Common wealth

6. US Policy in Japan: US transformed Japan’s government and economy into a liberal capitalist democracy o Japan’s Emperor would hold his position but with limited powers o A multi-party parliamentary system of government was established o Large estates were terminated and some land was given to the peasant class o To create a class of small independent farmers o The Zaibatsu were divided into smaller businesses o The US believed they encouraged and supported aggression in south-east Asia o Independent trade unions were created Policies were changed because the Cold War intensified and Chinese Government was threatened by Communist forces Japan was transforming into the US’ economic ally In 1948 a plan for the development of Japan’s economy and for the US to re-build their industries was created o Military strength was restored o USSR was protected Zaibatsu: Large Japanese business union

7. Treaty of Peace with Japan: Treaty with Japan and former enemies in WWII was signed in San Francisco on September 4, 1951 The Treaty came into action in April of 1952 and included: o The termination of military occupation o The end of Japanese claims to territory in Korea, Taiwan or China o The right of the US to continue to use Okinawa as a military base o The agreement that Japan would give money to allied civilians who suffered because of the Japanese abusing their rights o That reparations would be made to states affected by war (Vietnam, Philippines, Burma, and Indonesia), would be made by Japan USSR attended but refused to sign o They argued that the treaty transformed Japan into an American Military Base and a military alliance against the USSR Four days later an agreement was signed between the US and Japan o This allowed for American troops to be stationed in Japan to defend the country against the People’s Republic of China