Rebuilding Japan After World War II

Rebuilding Japan After World War II

Reasons for Rebuilding Japan

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 Devastation of dropping atomic bombs on Japan

Potsdam Declaration

By 1945 Japan was almost beaten.
The Japanese navy and airforce were completely destroyed. The soldiers were low on ammunition, civilians were going hungry, but Japan refused to surrender. The leaders of Japan had told their army and civilians that it was dishonourable to surrender. It was better to die fighting than be taken prisoner. As American forces got closer to Japan the Japanese changed their tactics. Japanese pilots flew their planes straight into American warships in suicide attacks. These kamikaze attacks by Japanese planes were almost impossible to stop.

The Potsdam Conference July 1945
Truman, Stalin, and Churchill met to discuss Post War Europe and Japanese Surrender Tension over decisions about Post-War Eastern Europe Allies not as willing to give in to Stalin No longer needed him in Japan Could throw around their “might” Churchill, Truman, and Stalin

The Potsdam Conference July 1945
Truman stated that the US had a “powerful and destructive new weapon”, but did not say specifically that it was a nuclear bomb. Appeared Stalin did not grasp the significance of the weapon

The Potsdam Declaration
July 26, 1945: Japan is given an ultimatum, known as the Potsdam Declaration: Japan must surrender immediately or face “prompt and utter destruction”. Implies that Emperor Hirohito would be removed from the throne. No mention of Soviet entry in the war or the atomic bomb.

Excerpt from the Potsdam Declaration:
“We call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces, and to provide proper and adequate assurances of their good faith in such action. The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction. “

The Potsdam Declaration – July Truman, Churchill, and Chiang Kai-Shek (NOT THE SAME AS POTSDAM AGREEMENT) Key Points: 1. We-the President of the United States, the President of the National Government of the Republic of China, and the Prime Minister of Great Britain, representing the hundreds of millions of our countrymen, have conferred and agree that Japan shall be given an opportunity to end this war. 13. We call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces, and to provide proper and adequate assurances of their good faith in such action. The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction.  The Potsdam Declaration took place on July 26, Don’t be confused with the Potsdam Agreement, because that was something very different. The Potsdam Declaration was made by Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill, and Chiang Kai-Shek and it basically outlined surrender terms for Japan. The first point above refers to Japan’s chance to end the war. The last point gives Japan one last chance to surrender or face “prompt and utter destruction.” (atomic bomb) PRIMARY SOURCE - ATOMIC BOMB

Potsdam Declaration Cont.
Japan would be occupied until the declaration was signed. The Japanese army would be allowed to return home. Once the declaration was met, allied troops would be withdrawn. “Japan shall be permitted to maintain such industries as will sustain her economy and permit the exaction of just reparations in kind, but not those which would enable her to re-arm for war. To this end, access to, as distinguished from control of, raw materials shall be permitted. Eventual world trade relations shall be permitted. “ The Japanese were given very negotiable terms but failed to sign the declaration at first. Other aspects of the Potsdam Declaration included an end to militarism and under the Cairo Declaration, Japanese sovereignty would be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such minor islands as the Allies determined. Clearly the terms were lenient, especially the fact that Japan would be able to participate in world trade and rebuild their industrial economy. Unfortunately, Japan did not agree to the Potsdam Declaration until after atomic bombs were dropped. PRIMARY SOURCE - Picture- Japan did not agree to the Potsdam Declaration

Japan’s Response Japanese premier wanted to accept, could not convince military leaders Hint from Tokyo that government might surrender, in return that Japan could keep their emperor. US insisted on unconditional surrender: No emperor, because believed these hints were coming from people who did not have power to follow through. (May have been right) Officially - Japan refuses to surrender and announces that it will “ignore” the Declaration.

Japan’s Response to the Potsdam Declaration
Japan’s response was ambiguous. Before Japan could agree to any surrender, the top military officials had to figure out a way to satisfy many different groups inside Japan. Japanese official Suzuki used the word mokusatsu which had a few different English translations. The US and the US newspapers interpreted the word to mean “reject” when in fact it could have meant something different. The apparent rejection of the Declaration definitely sped up the process of using the atomic bombs. To this day, it is not known what the Japanese official Suzuki meant by his statement. Japan’s rejection of the Potsdam Declaration gave Truman further motives to end the war as soon as possible. Therefore, the atom bomb seemed a compelling way to end the war immediately. Also, the US deciphered secret Japanese cables that clearly stated that Japan had no intention to surrender. A decoded cable from Japanese militarists to Japan’s ambassador in Moscow read, “We cannot consent to unconditional surrender under any circumstances. Even if the war drags on, so long as the enemy demands unconditional surrender we will fight as one man against the enemy in accordance with the Emperor’s command. (Signal 7)”

Japanese View of Unconditional Surrender
Emperor Hirohito was totally against unconditional surrender. Americans viewed Hirohito as a symbol of military aggression Unconditional surrender  destruction of “divine” monarchy. One reason why unconditional surrender was unsuccessful in negotiation was because of the Emperor Hirohito’s traditional views. He, like many of his cabinet, believed that by accepting to the Allies terms, the Japanese political system and “divine” monarchy would be destroyed. Americans hated Hirohito and many wanted him to be executed or imprisoned. Undersecretary of State Joseph Grew believed that Hirohito was "the sole stabilizing force" capable of making the Japanese armed forces accept a surrender order. Picture from -

Consider this… "As long as America and England insist on unconditional surrender our country has no alternative but to see it through in an all-out effort for the sake of survival and the honor of the homeland." - Japanese Prime Minister Shigenori Togo in turning down surrender demand, July 11, 1945.

Plans to Invade Japan and Decision to Drop Atom Bombs

Think About This: “After Hiroshima and Nagasaki nothing was ever the same again ... the use of the atomic bomb in August 1945 changed the world more dramatically than any single event before.” Chronicle of the World (1989).

Think About This: “When I first started teaching, we just taught that the atomic bomb brought the war to an end. Only recently have we come to appreciate that the last shot of the Second World War was also the opening scene of the Cold War – that the Bomb was a cause as much as a conclusion.” British historian John D Clare, writing in 2010.

Different Interpretations
To frighten the Russians so that they wouldn’t confront the West. A military weapon to end the war quickly, save lives and keep the Russians out of the war. Eastern Europe Why did the USA drop The Atomic Bombs on Japan? To test the weapon on live human beings to see what effect it had. Revenge for Pearl Harbor and Japanese war crimes against Allied prisoners of war

Uses for the Bomb Against Germany or Japan
General Groves believed it could end World War II. $2 billion used to build the bomb. Not using it would be a waste. 'If this weapon fizzles, each of you can look forward to a lifetime of testifying before congressional investigating committees." Gen. Groves to his staff, December 24, 1944 It was believed that he atomic bomb would be used against either Germany or Japan. Groves believed that the bomb could solely end the war. He also believed that the $2 billion investment for building the bomb could be justified by using the bomb. Secretary of War Harry Stimson said, "At no time, from 1941 to 1945 did I ever hear it suggested by the President, or any other responsible member of the government, that atomic energy should not be used in the war.“ Clearly, the atomic bomb was definitely going to be used. General Groves quote states that if the atomic bomb does not work, then his staff will face a life of questioning. \ However, he was absolutely in favor of using the deadly weapon.

Attitudes Towards Japan To Justify Use Of Atom Bombs

Many people in Britain and America had little sympathy for the Japanese because of the way they had treated British and American prisoners. Thousands were starved, or worked to death in camps by the Japanese. There was very little respect for the Japanese in Britain and America. The Americans had been dropping incendiary bombs on the wooden cities of Japan for some time. More people died in the night of the Tokyo “fire” raid than Hiroshima, but hundreds of planes and thousands of tons of bombs were needed. One bomb in one plane seemed a better use of resources. But, America only had two atom bombs in August 1945. What if Japan still refused to surrender after both bombs were dropped? Many people were worried about the effect of using atom bombs. Even though one had been tested in a desert in the USA nobody knew how big the blast would be or how far the radiation would reach. Would it destroy all of Japan? Would its radiation stay in Japan? Would the explosion set off an atomic chain reaction around the world? Should such a horrific weapon be used at all?

Terror Bombing Terror bombing was used by both sides during the Second World War. The tactic was first perfected by the Germans who used it as a key part of their Blitzkrieg attacks in both Europe & Russia/.Both the RAF & USAF bombed Germany throughout the war. The main aim of terror bombing was to destroy key industrial and military centres and their workers in the hope of destroying morale.

The Fire Bombing of Tokyo
The capture of Iwo Jima and the total destruction of the Japanese air force meant that the USA could now bomb every major Japanese city. In May 1945, the USA decided to firebomb the capital city Tokyo. It was hoped that the massive civilian casualties would break Japanese morale and force them to surrender.

Alternatives to Dropping the Bomb
Drop the bomb or: Massive invasion of Japan, costing approximately 1 million Allied casualties Naval blockade to starve Japan and continued fire-bombing Demo of new weapon on deserted or scarcely populated island to pressure Japan to surrender Weaken Allied demands for an unconditional surrender Simply stop fighting

Invading Japan? If America did invade Japan, many Americans would have died. Secretary of State James Byrnes claimed 500,000. Total combat deaths after four years of war – 292,000. It was believed that if the U.S. invaded Japan, many American lives would have been lost. Secretary of State James Byrnes claimed that the atomic bomb saved about 500,000 deaths. The U.S. military planners predicted that 20,000 – 110,000 combat deaths since November 1945 thus far. However the estimates for how many Americans would have died, will never be known. We do knot know how strong the Japanese resistance would be. Some military advisors believed that the American death toll would reach 1 million. Picture-

Saving Lives by Using the Bomb
Non-combatants were dying throughout Asia at the rate of 200,000 per month. The complete naval blockade of Japan would have resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths due to malnutrition, dehydration, and famine. The atomic bomb saved thousands of American soldier’s lives Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians alike were dying every month throughout the Japanese Empire. Most Japanese soldiers only knew the Samurai style of fighting which consisted of fighting to the last man. This mentality would have yielded ten times the amount of casualties than the dropping of the atom bombs. Operation Starvation was the complete blockade of Japan, which completely cut off its imports.

Four Main Reasons For Dropping Atomic Bombs

The decision to drop two atomic bombs on Japan remains one of the most controversial in American history, so much so that a group of historians recently held a mock trail for Harry Truman on the decision. Ultimately, do you think President Truman made the right decision? Why or why not? Should the second bomb (Nagasaki) be held to a different moral calculus than the first (Hiroshima)?

Military Weapon: Use It

Interpretation 1: Military Weapon
US Government estimated that both Japan & the USA would each lose 250,000 soldiers during the invasion of Japan! The war in the Pacific was expensive for the USA. For example, on Iwo Jima it took five weeks of bitter fighting at a cost of more than 24,000 casualties before the USA took the island. In taking another island, Okinawa, the US incurred a further 20,195 dead and 55,162 wounded.

Interpretation 1:Military Weapon
“..it was done to save 125,000 youngsters on the American side and 125,000 on the Japanese side from getting killed and that is what it did. It probably also saved a half million youngsters on both sides from being maimed for life. Harry Truman, 1963

- President Harry S. Truman
“Let there be no mistake about it. I regarded the bomb as a military weapon and never had any doubt that it should be used.” - President Harry S. Truman

“The atom bomb was no great decision
“The atom bomb was no great decision. It was merely another powerful weapon in the arsenal of righteousness. “ ~ Harry S. Truman

Operation Cornet, the plan to take Tokyo
Plan to Invade Japan US planned to invade Japan with eleven Army and Marine divisions (650,000 troops) Casualty estimates for the operation were as high as 1,400,000 Truman decided to use the atomic bomb to avoid such losses Operation Cornet, the plan to take Tokyo

Casualty Figures for 1945 The Japanese government threatened to put to death 400,000 Allied prisoners of war if the USA invaded Japan!

Revenge

Interpretation 2: Revenge
On 7th December 1941, 2400 American servicemen, six battleships and ten other ships were destroyed during a surprise attack by the Japanese. Roosevelt described the Japanese attack as a ‘day that shall live on in infamy’ because the Japanese didn’t declare war on the USA or give any warning that they were about to go to war.

Truman’s Motivations Many historians believe that a main reason for the use of the bomb was retaliation for the surprise and brutal attack on Pearl Harbor. After the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Truman said “This is the greatest thing in history.” and “Nobody is more disturbed over the use of atomic bombs than I am but I was greatly disturbed over the unwarranted attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor and their murder of our prisoners of war.” Thousands of POW’S were mistreated Even though it is impossible to know what Truman was thinking, it can be concluded that retaliation was a main cause in the dropping of the atomic bombs. The way Truman described the greatness of the weapon shows he was happy with its results. He said, “The only language they seem to understand is the one we have been using to bombard them. When you have to deal with a beast you have to treat him as a beast.” Truman was disgusted with the Pearl Harbor massacre and how American POW’s were treated throughout the war. Truman flexed the American muscle by using the bombs.

Truman’s True Beliefs “We have discovered the most terrible bomb in the history of the world. It may be the fire destruction prophesied in the Euphrates Valley Era, after Noah and his fabulous Ark.” “I have told the Sec. of War, Mr. Stimson, to use it so that military objectives and soldiers and sailors are the target and not women and children.” “He and I are in accord. The target will be a purely military one and we will issue a warning statement asking the Japs to surrender and save lives.” Recovered from President Harry S. Truman’s private diary. It explicitly shows that he was against the use of atomic weapons for the destruction of Japanese civilians. However, he believed he made the right decision in using the bomb against Japan because ultimately he saved American lives. He very well knew the massive power of the bomb and was grateful that the US discovered it before Hitler or Stalin. From Truman’s July 25, 1945 diary entry.

Revenge for Pearl Harbor
“Pearl Harbor was done while we were at peace with Japan and trying our best to negotiate a treaty with them… All you have to do is to go out and stand on the keel of the Battleship in Pearl Harbor with the 3,000 youngsters underneath it who had no chance whatever of saving their lives.. It was plain murder!” Harry Truman, 1963

Interpretation 2: Revenge POWs
The Japanese religion Bushido believed that people who surrendered were cowards and should be mistreated. Allied prisoners of war were beaten, deliberately starved, tortured, worked to death and even experimented on with chemical & biological weapons by the Japanese. Some were even crucified on trees and beheaded by their captors! There was a strong feeling in both the USA & Europe that the Japanese should be taught a lesson!

Frighten the Communist Soviet Union
Defeat Japan Without Soviet Help

Interpretation 3: Frighten the Russians
At the Yalta Conference in March 1945, the big three agreed that there should be early free elections in Eastern European countries like Poland as soon as the war was over. With the death of Roosevelt in April 1945, Harry Truman became the President of the USA. Truman did not trust Stalin to keep his promises. RIP

He is trying to spread Communism! By the time the big three met again at Potsdam on 23rd July 1945, Stalin did not trust the Americans. He wanted to create a buffer between USSR (Russia) and Western Europe to protect her from future invasions. He started putting his Communist supporters into power in the Eastern European countries that he controlled. We have been attacked twice in less than 25 years! The USA dropped the first atomic bomb 14 days later!

“Officially the Americans claimed that the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was aimed at bringing the end of the war nearer and avoiding unnecessary bloodshed and casualties. But they had entirely different objectives. The purpose of the bombings was to intimidate other countries, above all the Soviet Union.” The BBC Video: Era of the SWW – Making The Peace, has an excellent clip/re-enactment from BBC Timewatch Programme: The Summer of the bomb of a conversation between James Burns & a journalist! Russian Historian: Vadim Nekrasov, 1984

To Win Without Soviet Union Help
“To bring the war to an end, to give peace to the world … at the cost of a few explosions, seemed, after all our toils and perils, a miracle. The end of the Japanese war no longer depended upon the pouring in of [the Russian] armies.” Winston Churchill, describing a conversation with Truman in 1945.

The use of this barbarous weapon was of no assistance to our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated. By October 1944 the Japanese had been cut off from 80% of their oil supplies. The US secret service had cracked the Japanese diplomatic codes and knew that they wanted to surrender before they dropped the bomb! Admiral Leahy, 1950

To Frighten Russians ‘After the bomb was dropped, Stalin was furious. The place Russia had earned as a world power by its victory in the war had been snatched away. "Hiroshima has shaken the whole world," he is said to have told Kurchatov. "The balance has been destroyed.“’ Priscilla McMillan, Science and Secrecy (2004). From a review in the New York Times of David Holloway's book: Stalin and the Bomb.

To Frighten Russians Straight after Truman told him about the ‘new weapon’, Stalin gave orders for Soviet scientists to develop their own nuclear weapon – so news of the atomic bomb DID provoke a nuclear arms race. There is no doubt that Stalin saw the dropping of the Bomb as directed more at Russia than Japan: ‘They are killing the Japanese and intimidating us’ he told Molotov. (To be fair, Western politicians were hopeful it would have this effect.)

Experiment and Test New Weapon

Interpretation 4: To Test the Weapon
The Atomic Bomb cost $2 billion to develop! Many of the scientist & military advisors were keen to test the atomic bomb to sell what effect it would have on human beings. No one knew about the effects of radiation from a nuclear explosion. Later many US & British troops were exposed to radiation from the testing of nuclear weapons.

A demonstration of the bomb might best be made on the desert or on a barren island. Japan could then be asked to surrender. Robert Oppenheimer, June 1945

A demonstration in an uninhabited area was not regarded as likely to make Japan surrender. There was the danger of the test being a dud. Also we had no bombs to waste Henry Stimson, American Secretary for War, 1945

Would kill thousands of Japanese civilians
Pros: Demonstration could be a dud Japanese might shoot down test plane Might put POW’s in testing area Only way to make Japan surrender Need to justify the cost of building the bomb and man hours spent working. It would end the war and save countless U.S. military lives Give U.S. more power in rebuilding Europe Mounting tensions w/Russia A-Bomb Debate Cons: Stage a demonstration Would kill thousands of Japanese civilians Would be immoral to drop the bomb w/o prior warning

Conclusion: Now You Decide!
To frighten the Russians so that they wouldn’t confront the West. A military weapon to end the war quickly, save lives and keep the Russians out of the war. Eastern Europe Why did the USA drop The Atomic Bombs on Japan? To test the weapon on live human beings to see what affect it had. Revenge for Pearl Harbor and Japanese war crimes against Allied prisoners of war

Pair Share If you were in President Truman’s shoes would you have dropped the bombs on Japan…why or why not?

Dropping The Atomic Bombs

Formal Warning to Japan
On August 10, 1945 thousands of leaflets were dropped over the city of Nagasaki The leaflets called for a petition to the Emperor of Japan to stop the war and agree to thirteen consequences of an honorable surrender. Now that the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, top U.S. leaders felt that Japan deserved a warning before the second bomb was dropped. Thousands of leaflets were dropped on every major city in Japan. They used Hiroshima as an example of the destructive power of the US’s new weapon. America urged that Japan “accept the consequences and begin the work of building a new, better and peace-loving country.” Every leaflet concluded by saying in big bold letters, EVACUATE YOUR CITIES. These leaflets were dropped soon after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945). Picture - Sample Leaflet

Quote From Leaflet Leaflets dropped on cities in Japan warning civilians about the atomic bomb, dropped c. August 6, 1945 TO THE JAPANESE PEOPLE: America asks that you take immediate heed of what we say on this leaflet. We are in possession of the most destructive explosive ever devised by man. A single one of our newly developed atomic bombs is actually the equivalent in explosive power to what 2000 of our giant B-29s can carry on a single mission. This awful fact is one for you to ponder and we solemnly assure you it is grimly accurate. We have just begun to use this weapon against your homeland. If you still have any doubt, make inquiry as to what happened to Hiroshima when just one atomic bomb fell on that city. Before using this bomb to destroy every resource of the military by which they are prolonging this useless war, we ask that you now petition the Emperor to end the war. Our president has outlined for you the thirteen consequences of an honorable surrender. We urge that you accept these consequences and begin the work of building a new, better and peace-loving Japan. You should take steps now to cease military resistance. Otherwise, we shall resolutely employ this bomb and all our other superior weapons to promptly and forcefully end the war.

Quote From Leaflet EVACUATE YOUR CITIES.
ATTENTION JAPANESE PEOPLE. EVACUATE YOUR CITIES. Because your military leaders have rejected the thirteen part surrender declaration, two momentous events have occurred in the last few days. The Soviet Union, because of this rejection on the part of the military has notified your Ambassador Sato that it has declared war on your nation. Thus, all powerful countries of the world are now at war with you. Also, because of your leaders' refusal to accept the surrender declaration that would enable Japan to honorably end this useless war, we have employed our atomic bomb. A single one of our newly developed atomic bombs is actually the equivalent in explosive power to what 2000 of our giant B-29s could have carried on a single mission. Radio Tokyo has told you that with the first use of this weapon of total destruction, Hiroshima was virtually destroyed. Before we use this bomb again and again to destroy every resource of the military by which they are prolonging this useless war, petition the emperor now to end the war. Our president has outlined for you the thirteen consequences of an honorable surrender. We urge that you accept these consequences and begin the work of building a new, better, and peace-loving Japan. Act at once or we shall resolutely employ this bomb and all our other superior weapons to promptly and forcefully end the war.

The Atomic Bomb The first Atomic bomb to be used in war… ‘little boy’.
This bomb was shipped from the US a mere 4 hours after the ‘Trinity’ A-bomb test in the US. The actual radioactive material inside was the size of an orange.

Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – Forced Japan to surrender and the end of the war.
August 6, 1945 _______ ______ August 9, 1945 Physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer headed the new U.S. laboratory built to design an atomic bomb. Oppenheimer recommended a remote site in New Mexico for the new facility, where project scientists, many of them world-famous, could work together in complete secrecy. The Los Alamos Laboratory was opened in April 1943.

The Bomb August 6, 1945—Hiroshima August 9, 1945—Nagasaki
Enola Gay (bomber plane) drops Little Boy 140,000 died immediately 100,000+ seriously injured August 9, 1945—Nagasaki Fat Man 74,000 Immediate Deaths 75,000+ serious injuries

Map Showing the Damage Done to Hiroshima
The centre of the explosion was hotter than the surface of the sun!

Hiroshima – August 6, 1945 Chosen because of its large size, its being "an important army depot" and the potential that the bomb would cause greater destruction because the city was surrounded by hills Approximately 140,000 deaths by the end of 1945 About ½ on the day of the bombing Others died from injury or illness due to radiation The majority dead were civilians

Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Hiroshima Aug 6, 1945 90,000 killed On Aug 8, the USSR declared war on Japan and invaded Manchuria the next day Nagasaki Aug 9, 1945 35,000 killed Okinawa had been much more costly than Hiroshima and Nagasaki Captain Paul Tibbets piloted the plane that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima

Hiroshima Little Boy Nagasaki Fat Man - 90,000 to 100,000 persons were
killed immediately - 145,000 persons perish from the bombing by the end of 1945. Nagasaki Little Boy Leveled Area: 6.7 million square meters Damaged Houses: 18,409 Casualties Killed ,884 Injured ,909 Total ,793 (Large numbers of people died in the following years from the effects of radioactive poisoning.) Fat Man

Nagasaki – August 9, 1945 Nagasaki was one of the largest sea ports in southern Japan and was of great wartime importance because of its wide-ranging industrial activity, including the production of ordnance, ships, military equipment, and other war materials. Bombings prior to the Atomic Bomb caused concern and many civilians left for rural areas An area about 2.3 miles by 1.9 miles was destroyed Approximately 80,000 deaths by the end of 1945

Effects Of Dropping Atomic Bombs

Quotation From an Expert
We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad-Gita. Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and to impress him takes on his multi-armed form and says, "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." I suppose we all thought that, one way or another. -J. Robert Oppenheimer A response from Oppenheimer, mastermind behind the atomic bomb, after being interviewed about his creations.

Nuclear Strikes Aug 6, Uranium bomb “Little Boy” dropped on Hiroshima, killing 140,000 Aug 9, Plutonium bomb “Fat Man” dropped on Nagasaki, killing 74,000

Within a few seconds the thousands of people in the streets and the gardens in the center of the town were scorched by a wave of searing heat. Many were killed instantly, others lay writhing on the ground, screaming in agony from the intolerable pain of their burns. Everything standing upright in the way of the blast, walls, houses, factories, and other buildings, was annihilated ~ Japanese journalist, August 6, 1945. “I could see below the mushroom cloud…the thing reminded me more of a boiling pot of tar than any other description I can give. It was black and boiling underneath with a steam haze on top of it…We had seen the city when we flew in, and there was nothing to see when we came back. It was covered by this boiling, black-looking mass.” ~ Col. Paul W. Tibbets, Jr. (pilot, Enola Gay) 8:15 a.m. Hiroshima, Japan August 6, 1945

Summary of Effects The atomic bomb, called Little Boy, was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945. More than half of the buildings were destroyed in the city. It is estimated that about 70,000 people were killed instantly. Also, by 1946, 90, ,000 had died due to injuries and radiation. Destruction caused by the atomic bomb

A person sat down on the steps facing the direction of the hypocenter, possibly waiting for the bank to open. By a flash of the heat rays, that person was incinerated on the stone steps.

The cause of keloids is not clear yet, but it is considered to be caused by a combination of powerful heat rays and radiation.

A girl with her skin hanging in strips, at Ohmura Navy Hospital on August 10-11.

A woman who was exposed to the A-bomb less than 2 kilometers from the hypocenter, judging by the extent of the burns on her entire back.

Atomic bomb survivor. 1945 This patient's skin is burned in a pattern corresponding to the dark portions of a kimono worn at the time of the explosion. U.S. National Archives & Records Administration, Washington D.C. Years after WWII, President Harry S. Truman was asked if he had difficulty making the decision to use this new weapon. He responded without hesitation, “Hell no. I made it just like that.” And he snapped his fingers.

Effects of Bombings The original explosions in Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, Japan, were deadly enough, but the destructive ability of the atomic bomb does not stop after the explosion stops. Any rain that follows an atomic bomb is filled with radioactive particles. So, unfortunately, many of the Japanese people who originally survived the explosions, eventually died due to radioactive poisoning. Atomic bombs affect later generations after the explosion. It has been found that leukemia has been passed on to offspring at a higher rate in cities that have had an atomic explosion.

In an August 1945 poll, 85% of Americans felt it was OK to use the atomic bomb.
When the bombs dropped and news began to circulate that [the invasion] would not, after all, take place, that we would not be obliged to run up the beaches near Tokyo assault-firing while being mortared and shelled, for all the fake manliness of our facades we cried with relief and joy. We were going to live. We were going to grow up to adulthood after all. ~ Paul Fussell, age 21 in 1945

Casualties from the US bombing of Japanese cities in 1945

The Cost of the War in the Pacific
2,000,000 Japanese Soldiers dead 300,000 Allied Soldiers dead 600, ,000,000 Japanese civilians dead 11,000 American civilians dead 60,000 Korean civilians dead Mass devastation of Japanese infrastructure Indigenous people of north and western Pacific islands devastated by disease, cultural contamination, collateral damage, and atrocities. The list continues…

Post-War Impact of Atomic Bomb
Changed the very nature of war Presented the possibility of annihilation of humankind US came to place great strategic reliance on atomic bomb War plans emphasized sudden atomic attack against USSR to allow time for conventional mobilization 15 megaton thermonuclear device test on Bikini Atoll in 1954

US held an atomic monopoly until 1949 Huge US-USSR arms race followed Eventually led to Mutually Assured Destruction (1967) Massive retaliation strategy (1954) meant US was prepared to respond to Soviet aggression with a massive nuclear strike

Nuclear weapons prove to not be a reasonable option in limited wars You will see this in Korea and Vietnam The US considered, but did not use, atomic bombs in support of the French at Dien Bien Phu in 1954

Pair Share Discuss the significance of dropping the A-Bombs...what was the outcome and how has it changed the world since?

Surrender and Occupation of Japan

Japanese Leaders After the Use of the Atomic Bombs
Even after the use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese were still undecided on whether to surrender The surrender plan with four conditions 1. A guarantee that the imperial family will continue to reign. 2. Disarmament of the armed forces by Japan herself. 3. Trial of war criminals by Japan herself. 4. Occupation of Japan to be limited to the minimum time and places “Only on August 9, after withstanding months of blockade and bombardment, obvious preparations for invasion, two atomic bombs, and Soviet intervention, did the Big Six formulate terms for ending the war” (Frank, 344) Evidence shows that Japan was extremely unwilling to surrender at all costs. Even after the use of atomic weapons, Japan still argued about the details of how they should surrender. Therefore, without the use of Atomic weapons, the conclusion of the war could have taken years and could have yielded massive casualties on both sides. Japanese Foreign Minister wanted to surrender only under the first condition; a guarantee that the imperial family will continue to reign. At this time, there were still many factions, making terms of surrender hard to agree on.

The atomic bomb did convinced the Emperor to break the deadlock of Japan’s generals and accept the Potsdam Declaration *was given as the main reason for the surrender of Japan The atomic bomb allowed Japans military officials to surrender and still keep their honor. “If military leaders could convince themselves that they were defeated by the power of science but not by lack of spiritual power or strategic errors, they could save face to some extent” Therefore Japanese leaders could believe that they were beat by the element of science. The atomic bomb allowed Japans military officials to surrender and still keep their honor. “If military leaders could convince themselves that they were defeated by the power of science but not by lack of spiritual power or strategic errors, they could save face to some extent” (Frank, 347). Therefore Japanese leaders could believe that they were beat by the element of science.

Emperor Hirohito The atomic bomb convinced the Emperor to break the deadlock of Japan’s generals and accept the Potsdam Declaration He gave three reasons: "a collapse of domestic morale” “inadequate preparation to resist the invasion and the vast destructiveness of the atomic bomb and the air attacks” The atomic bomb was given as the main reason for the surrender of Japan The atomic bomb allowed Japans military officials to surrender and still keep their honor. “If military leaders could convince themselves that they were defeated by the power of science but not by lack of spiritual power or strategic errors, they could save face to some extent” (Frank, 347). Therefore Japanese leaders could believe that they were beat by the element of science.

Truman received this informal surrender on August 14, Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day). The one term of the surrender allowed the emperor to keep his office but only in a ceremonial role.

Some 400,000 Americans gave their lives.
About 55 million died (30 million civilians) during World War II. The Soviet Union paid the highest human cost, with more than 20 million of its people killed. Some 400,000 Americans gave their lives.

Japan surrenders Sept 2, 1945 aboard the USS Missouri

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.

U.S. OCCUPATION OF JAPAN 1945 After WWII, Japan was placed under international control of the Allies through the Supreme Commander, General Douglas MacArthur. Gen. Douglas MacArthur accepts the Unconditional Surrender from the Empire of Japan

U.S. Occupation of Japan The U.S. was put in charge of helping to rebuild Japan. Japan was now controlled by a U.S. army occupation led by General Douglas MacArthur. MacArthur’s job was to rebuild Japan in a way that would guarantee that it would not pose a military threat to other countries in the future.

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.

US Occupies Japan “Japanese soldier guarding road to Yokohama standing at attention with his back to a conquering American soldier who is driving by in a jeep as he displays an attitude of great respect according to Japanese culture.” Life Magazine

NAVY TROOPS STATIONED IN JAPAN

The Occupation Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers (SCAP) - General Douglas MacArthur Two main tasks: demilitarization democratization

Condition of Japan Immediately After Surrender

Note two effects of Allied bombing raids on Japan.
Destroyed numerous cities, shattered the economy, caused deaths of two million people. In the background are the remains of a Roman Catholic cathedral on a hill in Nagasaki, Japan following the atomic blast of Aug. 9, 1945.

Japan’s Post-War Infrastructure
Much of Japan’s infrastructure had been completely destroyed by battle and atomic bombs. infrastructure- the basic structures or features of a city or nation; transportation, communication, sewage, water, and electric systems are all a part of infrastructure.

Reforms Made to Japan

JAPANESE CHANGES

Rebuilding and Improving Infrastructure

Postwar Political Developments
Infrastructure Increased paved roads High speed ‘bullet train’ began service between Osaka and Tokyo in 1964 New trunk line, ‘shinkansen’ -paved roads: 1 % of roads in 1946; 46 % in 1980 -bullet trains: cut the traveling time from 8 to 3 hours

Land Reform and Labor Reorganization

Rebuilding Japan Labor reorganization Unionization – democratization
Dec Trade Union Law right to organize bargain and strike. 1946 – I million to 4.5 million members. Land Reform 2/3 of arable land – tenants rents, 1946 Land Reform Act – 5 million acres –redistributed in 2-5 years

Education Reform

Postwar Social Developments
Education (Post SCAP) Hierarchical system remained: middle school, high school, college or university Increasing number of youths advanced to high school Educated-based hierarchy

Reforms Relating to Gender and Family

Postwar Political Developments
Women’s Status (SCAP period) Recruiting women to work as prostitutes in ‘Recreation and Amusement Centers Extended civil and political rights to women First post-war elections: 39 women were elected to the Diet, 10% of the seats But the dominant position of males in the family and in society at large was not overturned by constitutional reform

Women’s Status (Post SCAP period) Shifted from working in textile companies to electronic companies Living in company housing and enjoying very constraining benefits of paternalistic management policies

Gender Inequality Male graduates: entered managerial positions Female graduates: faced tremendous barriers Schooling for female: courses in home economics, health—learned the skills of good wives and mothers Male graduates: entered managerial positions Female graduates: faced tremendous barriers Schooling for female: courses in home economics, health—learned the skills of good wives and mothers; 90% students in 2-year colleges were women and offered courses of home economics, education and literature; ¾ students at 4-year colleges were men who studied engineering

Family Pattern Nuclear families & extended families: co-existed Single family homes of middle-classes Extended family pattern changed Arranged marriage to ‘love marriage’

Cultural Reforms

Cultural and Leisure Activities/Living Style Mass media continued to play a key role Provided powerful sense of belonging TV broadcasting-NHK Change in social consciousness

Demilitarization and War Criminal Reforms

Demilitarization Purged almost all wartime officers and politicians
Disbanded almost all militaristic associations and parties Prosecuted almost all war criminals The issue of Yasukuni Shrine Dismantled almost all war industries

War Criminals Yasukuni Shrine was built in Meiji 2 (1869)
Japan’s Pacific War criminals have been worshipped in it since 1978 Strong protests from other Asian countries

The "Peace Clause" Article 9 in the 1947 constitution:
“the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes “land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained”

Article 9 Controversy Renunciation of war
PP Article 9 Controversy Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized. Renunciation of war No possession of military forces Denial of the state’s right of belligerency

Political Reforms

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.

JAPANESE REFORMS (Changes) 1947
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. Douglas MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito.

Japan’s New Constitution
The constitution created a two-house parliament called The Diet. Everyone over the age of 20 could vote for members of the Diet. The constitution also included a Bill of Rights and guaranteed basic freedoms. The emperor remained as a symbol of the country, but was stripped of his power.

Japan’s New Constitution
The constitution stated that Japan could never again declare war on another country. Japan is allowed to fight only if it is attacked first. Japan could not use its land, sea, or air forces to settle international disputes. Today, the Japanese government is one of the strongest in the world.

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.

JAPANESE CONSTITUTION

Transforming Japan into a Democracy

JAPANESE LEGISLATURE DIET
web-japan.org

FREE ELECTIONS AND WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE

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

Economic Reforms

Army General Douglas MacArthur, head of GHQ
Postwar Recovery The Japanese economy collapsed due to input shortage. Inflation surged. Living standards plummeted. The US occupied Japan and forced democratization and demilitarization (but later partly reversed). Subsidies and US aid supported the war-torn economy. The priority production system, based on economic planning, contributed to output recovery ( ). Inflation was ended by Dodge Line stabilization (1949). Army General Douglas MacArthur, head of GHQ

Rebuilding Japan Zaibatsu – cartels Military-economic
Froze accounts, 83 companies were broken up Heavy industry (ship building, trucks) Anti Monopoly law passed 1957, 1200 companies reviewed, only 9 affected

Land Reform, Redistribution of land ownership to actual cultivators 1945 plan was rejected by GHQ (5ha max; only 11% of land redistributed; “absentee landlord” definition ambiguous) 1946 plan adopted and accepted by GHQ --All land above 1ha (4ha: Hokkaido) must be sold --Land price is nominally fixed under high inflation --Land buyers can pay in 30-year installments --For remaining tenants, rents are frozen and monitored Implementation (mainly ) --Involving 6 million families (2 million were losers) --Owned land increased from 54% (1941) to 91% (1955) --Labor-intensive: 415,000 officials and volunteers mobilized --Absentee landlord holdings: 80-90% transferred --Other landlord holdings: 70-80% transferred MacArthur: “most successful reform” politically and for equity.

Reasons for “success” --Forced reform under US occupation (“landlords are evil”) --Accurate data and village network for easy identification of ownership and cultivators --Preparation by reform-minded officials (before WW2) --Availability of large number of educated staff (unemployment pressure) Problem—economic inefficiency --Average farm remained small: 1.09ha (1941)0.99ha (1955) --More incentive to produce? Estimated productivity did not rise. --Study shows no difference in rice farmers’ land productivity or labor productivity ( data) : Owned land (3,780kg/ha, 20kg/laborday) Tenanted land (3,687kg/ha, 19.6kg/laborday)

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

Economic Reforms in Postwar Japan Edited by Yutaka Kosai & Juro Teranishi, 1993
Radical reforms were possible because of --US occupation --Wartime control that reduced the power & incentives of zaibatsu and landlords --General distrust in the market mechanism --Foreign aid and Korean War boom (macro supports) Labor, land and zaibatsu reforms for changing power relation, distribution, equity (not for efficiency) Three-step deregulation—(i) reforms under control, ; (ii) integration, 1950s-mid 70s; (iii) financial deregulation & SOE privatization, 1980s Markets need time to grow, or political resistance?

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

THE COMPACT CAR JAPANESE IMPORTS TO THE U.S. IN THE 1970s

Growth of Japan’s Economy

Korean War (1950 - 1953) Economic turning point for Japan:
war supplies to Korea industrial resurgence foreign currency growth rate: 9.4% growth rate: 10.9% 1952 Japan’s GDP matched prewar high

High Growth of 1955-62 Large investment in heavy industry
Imports of energy and raw materials Government’s economic goals: achieve economic self-sufficiency achieve full employment improve export competitiveness keep domestic demand high

High Growth of 1963-1973 Government’s “doubling income” plan
Large-scale infrastructure construction Labor-intensive to capital-intensive Technological improvement and facility modernization under government protection Aggressive export strategy Businesses compete with foreign counterparts under government protection

High Growth of Government’s plan to “double the national income in ten years” scheduled 9% annual growth rate large-scale infrastructure construction Shinkansen (bullet train) Olympic Games port, road, and rails human infrastructure

High Growth of 1963-73 labor-intensive in decline
agricultural subsidies textile bankruptcies and “excess capacity” coal industry in serious decline capital-intensive on the rise large firms had 10- and 20-fold growth electronics and automobile

Government Response Government responded to some sectors’ decline with reorganization and subsidization Technological improvement and facility modernization under government protection Ministry of International Trade and Industry constant and critical role in developing the computer industry

High Growth of 1963-73 Aggressive export strategy
businesses compete with foreign counterparts under government protection domestic market sealed off from competition Strict limitations on governmt expenditures 1965 Japanese exports exceeded imports for the first time in two decades

Government Policies Macroeconomic success through internationally competitive firms reduce the reliance on agriculture and small industry capital-intensive industries technically sophisticated products improve national economic infrastructure improve human infrastructure

More Shocks in 1990s Large and rising government deficit and public debt (now more than 200% of GDP) Aging population (median age now at 45) Banking crises and non-performing loans Asian financial crisis ( ) “Hollowing out” of industry Natural disasters and terrorist attacks Economic position now taken over by China and India

JAPAN IS A MODEL NATION 2009 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.

Rebuilding Japan After World War II

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Rebuilding Japan After World War II"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

Rebuilding Japan After World War II

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Rebuilding Japan After World War II"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback