Rebuilding Japan after World War II America’s post war ally

Devastation Japan was devastated at the conclusion of World War II Japan was devastated at the conclusion of World War II All major cities except Kyoto were destroyed All major cities except Kyoto were destroyed The entire infrastructure of Japan needed rebuilding The entire infrastructure of Japan needed rebuilding

Occupation of Japan : Allied powers occupy Japan (mostly U.S. forces) : Allied powers occupy Japan (mostly U.S. forces) General MacArthur: first Supreme Commander General MacArthur: first Supreme Commander The goal was to establish a democratic government in Japan The goal was to establish a democratic government in Japan To the Pacific basin has come the vista of a new emancipated world. Today, freedom is on the offensive, democracy is on the march. --Gen. Douglas MacArthur September 2, 1945

Changes for Japan The Allied (U.S.) forces implemented the following major changes: The Allied (U.S.) forces implemented the following major changes: New constitution New constitution Lost all territory Lost all territory Land reform Land reform Demilitarization Demilitarization

New Constitution New Constitution went into effect in 1947: Constitutional Monarchy New Constitution went into effect in 1947: Constitutional Monarchy Emperor lost all his political and military power Emperor lost all his political and military power –Figurehead: a symbol of the state Universal suffrage Universal suffrage Human rights achieved Human rights achieved

The End of Colonialism Japan lost all of its territory that it had acquired after 1894 Japan lost all of its territory that it had acquired after 1894 –Japan no longer occupied Korea or China Dispute over the Kurile Islands Dispute over the Kurile Islands –Tension with Russia

Land Reform Concentration of power was dissolved Concentration of power was dissolved Land ownership was redistributed Land ownership was redistributed End of the Zaibatsu: End of the Zaibatsu: –Business conglomerate that controlled Japan’s economy ever since the Meiji period

Demilitarization Demilitarization: Japan’s war machine was dismantled (no more military) Demilitarization: Japan’s war machine was dismantled (no more military) War criminals were tried War criminals were tried Self Defence Force :(1954) in place of a full standing military Self Defence Force :(1954) in place of a full standing military Allied occupation ends in 1952 Allied occupation ends in 1952

Economic Growth Japan experienced vast economic growth in the post war years: Japan experienced vast economic growth in the post war years: –Increase in living standards –Stable government –Korean War –Rise in Industry

Industry over agriculture Japanese industry flourishes in the post war era, less emphasis on agriculture: Japanese industry flourishes in the post war era, less emphasis on agriculture: –Electronics –Automobiles

Response Answer the following on a sheet of paper: Answer the following on a sheet of paper: (1) Why would the Allied powers want to establish a democracy in Japan? (1) Why would the Allied powers want to establish a democracy in Japan? (2) How could a democratic Japan benefit the U.S. economy? (2) How could a democratic Japan benefit the U.S. economy? (3) Why do you think Japan focused on industry instead of agriculture? (Hint: Think about geography) (3) Why do you think Japan focused on industry instead of agriculture? (Hint: Think about geography) (4) Make a list of all the products made in Japan you can think of and explain how they have impacted your life (4) Make a list of all the products made in Japan you can think of and explain how they have impacted your life