Transcript Asia After World War II

Wars of Asia
Wars in Modern Asia
• Korean War
• Vietnam War
Korean War
What was the cause of the Korean
War?
• After WWII, Japan lost control of the Korean
Peninsula.
• The U.S.S.R took control of North Korea, while
the United States controlled South Korea.
• The two superpowers could not agree on how
the peninsula would be governed
– U.S.S.R- communist
– U.S.- did not want communism to spread
– North Korea attacked South Korea. The U.S. asked
the U.N. to help stop the communists.
Who was involved and how?
• North Korea fought and was supported by
the U.S.S.R and Communist China
• South Korea was supported by the United
Nations, which included the U.S., Great
Britain, Australia, and Turkey
• Fighting lasted from 1950-1953
How has the war effected the
countries?
• The war ended in an armistice, or a
truce.
• They kept the 38th parallel as the
boundary between North and South
Korea
• Today South Korea is a successful
Republic, while North Korea remains a
communist country
Interesting Facts
• In 1953, Korean War prisoners were
brought to the bridge that links the two
nations. At that moment they were forced
to decide whether or not to spend their lives
in North or South Korea. Once they
crossed they could never go back.
• No one has crossed the bridge in a
decades.
• The Koreas are still “officially” at war since
a peace treaty was never signed.
Summary: Korean War
• In WWII, U.S.S.R. took control of Northern
Korea and U.S. had freed Southern Korea
(democratic).
• Northern Korea tried to take over southern
Korea, so the U.S. and U.N. sent troops to
avoid the spread of communism.
• An armistice (cease fire) was signed in
1953, and Korea remains divided into two
countries at the 38th parallel.
Vietnam War
What were the causes of the
Vietnam war?
• France wanted to control Vietnam after
WWII, but Japan had gained control during
the war. However, the communist Viet
Minh took over the north.
• The French nor the Vietnamese wanted
the country to be communist, so they
fought a civil war.
• The French lost and the communist North,
took over the south Vietnam.
• The U.S. became involved to stop the
spread of communism.
What countries were involved and
how?
• U.S.S.R and China gave weapons,
supplies, and military advice to North
Vietnam.
• U.S. supported South Vietnam. At first
Americans just sent supplies and advisors,
but eventually sent large numbers of
troops.
• The U.S. pulled troops out before the war
had ended.
How has the war affected the
country?
• When the U.S. left the war continued until
the South was conquered by the
communists.
• Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City
after the famed communist leader.
• Vietnam remains a communist country
today.
• Many people say that the people there are
now better off than ever before.
• Their economy is progressing and
growing.
Interesting Facts
• Ho Chi Minh trail
was a key route
used by the Viet
Kong, Communist
guerilla warriors,
to transport food
and military
supplies. It would
take three months
to make the entire
journey.
Summary: Vietnam War
• There was a three way civil war between
French, communist, and non-communist, which
lead to the division of Vietnam at the 17th
Paralell.
• North Vietnam (communist) began to invaded
Southern Vietnam (non-communist), so the U.S.
sent troops.
• After years of fighting, the communist forces
captured the South Vietnamese and took over
the country.
• Describe the leader Ho Chi Minh. How is
he different from other communist
leaders?
• Why was the U.S. interested in the
Vietnam War?
• What was the domino principle?
• How long did the war last?
Japan’s History of Conflict
In the Early 1900’s
• Who did Japan ally with during WWI?
• U.S., Great Britain, and France to defeat
Germany
• How did this help them?
• It allowed them to expand their holdings of
ex-German colonies
Timeline:
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1923
Great Kano Earthquake hurt Japan’s economy
1930’s
Military took control of Japan’s government
1937
Japan invaded China
U.S. would not trade oil with Japan because of their
relationship with Nazi Germany and French Fascists.
• 1941
• Japan bombed U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. U.S.
entered WWII
World War II
• 1942
• Japan won victories in East Asia and
South Pacific, but lost in Battle of Midway
• 1943
• Lost a battle on Guadalcanal island which
turned the tide of war
• 1945
• The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Atomic Bombs
• Hiroshima - August 6, 1945
• Nagasaki - August 9, 1945
Tokyo before WWII
Tokyo After
Japan’s infrastructure was destroyed. Public
systems such as transportation, industry and
communications had to be rebuilt.
Japan After WWII
• Japan’s economy and government were
destroyed.
• Many people were left homeless and
without jobs.
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Economy
What helped Japan rebuild?
Values of hard work and saving money
How did the U.S. help?
Loans and financial advice
When did Japan match prewar levels?
Mid 1950’s
How is Japan’s economy similar to the
U.S?
• Encourage free enterprise which motivates
people to expand their businesses with
little government interference
Women and the Economy
• What role do women play in Japan’s economy?
– Participation in work force has grown since
WWII
– However, women still do not have equal
opportunities and few hold management
positions
– Women are still looked at as homemakers.
Japan Today
Japan’s New Economy
Due to the limited natural resources, Japan
had to import raw materials to make goods
to export.
Items made by Japan
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Cars
Computers
Electronics
Motorcycles
Japanese Perks
• They want their employees to stay with
their companies for life, like a family.
• Japanese companies offer competitive
salaries and many company perks:
– Gyms
– On site pools
– Exercise classes
– Group songs, etc
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Government
When did the U.S. unoccupy Japan?
1952
How did the constitution change?
Similar rights to U.S.
Free Speech
Will not be aggressors of war
How did the government change?
Constitutional monarchy
Emperor was removed from power
Emperor is a symbol of state…no power