Hanneman (Chapter 7)
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Japan after World War 2
-Over 2 million Japanese soldiers had died during the war -millions of civilians dead, sickened or homeless -major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka had lost 60% of its dwellings -japans economy near full collapse due to the focus on spending a lot of money on the army and war -Industrial output 10% lower than pre-war -sever food shortage in Japan and a lot of people were starved The Allied occupation -Although it was called “Allied” the occupation of japan was completely controlled by the US -General Douglas MacArthur in control and e was almost like a dictator -In japan there was a mood of reform and change of the old Japanese government -the US were determined to rebuild Japan and make it into a pacifist country -Demilitarization and democratization were the two main goals of the US in Japan -Allied occupation lasted over 6 years -the US basically reformed the whole of japan and applied the American values -During the cold war the US saw Japan as an ally against Russia and communism Demilitarization -The first task of the US was to dismantle Japans huge war materials -They demobilised the Japanese forces – 5 million soldiers and 3 million civilians in China, Korea and Southeast Asia -Munitions and weapon factories shut down, nearly every factory was linked to the war, the shutdown made thousands of people lose their jobs -The US had to remove the militarism government and they forced members of the cabinet to resign -anyone who played a part in Japan’s military aggression were carefully monitored -5500 – 6600 people trialled for war crimes - 930 of them were executed -The emperor was not convicted, there are many arguments for and against whether he should’ve been convicted For=He was the only person with the power to prevent the war Against=He was a puppet who was used by the military and government Political reform -Shidehara newly formed cabinet, it focused on “Peaceful existence” -New Japanese constitution that was written by the US on August 29th 1946 -Main change was sovereignty for people and reduce the powers of the emperor -Constitution protected basic human rights, freedom of speech/press/religion/assembly -Women were granted equal rights -‘Peace cause’ (Article 9) – Terms of Japan internationally Social Reform -Democratization of Japanese society -Women gained the right to free choice of spouse and where to live -Social hierarchy of “Father System” to emperor removed -They also have the right to initiate divorce and won property -Parents would have equal right in child custody cases -However women’s place in Japanese society today still remains very traditional -Reforms at education -The new reform has education focused on democracy and individual rights -Ended government control of schools, instead placed responsibility on locally elected school boards Economic Reform -Economic reform important in order to reshape Japan Us thought big reason for war by Japan was due to the monopoly businesses and government -Aim to have economic equality in Japan -Farm land reform law in 1946 – the law outlawed absence landlordism – landowners could only rent out a limit of 25 acres -Government purchased all lands in excess of the low limit and sold it to cultivators on easy terms -When most of the land purchasing was finalised, inflation had reduced the real value of the land 1% of pre-war prices -Wanted to get rid of the Monopolies (Zaibatsu) -The US believed ‘Spread of wealth’ in order to establish equality and democracy -During 1945, the allied occupation froze all Zaibatsu capital -In 1947, the anti-monopoly law outlawed Zaibatsu holding companies and stocks sold to public |