Transcript Lesson 27- Japan after WWII

Japan after WWII
Explain the role of the United
States in the rebuilding of Japan
after WWII.
Introduction
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Prior to WWII, Japan had taken over
parts of China and Korea and other
areas of Southern and Eastern Asia.
WWII was fought in two main
theaters: The European Theater and
the Pacific Theater.
So much fighting took place in Asia
that many Asian countries needed to
be rebuilt after the war.
Prior to WWII, Japan had
taken over parts of what
countries in Southern and
Eastern Asia?
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China and Korea and other areas of
Southern and Eastern Asia
How did the United States
react to the Japanese bombing
of Pearl Harbor?
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America was very angry and shocked
and the people were ready for war.
We declared war in a matter of days
The USA had entered WWII.
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December 7, 1941
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Who were the Allied Forces?
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USA, England,
Russia (USSR)
Allied Forces
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USA—FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt)
Great Britian—Churchill
Soviet Union—Stalin
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Over 61 million died
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Axis Powers
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Germany—Hitler
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Japan—Hirohito
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Italy—Mussolini
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12 million died
In August of 1945 America
dropped atomic bombs on
what two Japanese cities?
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Hiroshima and Nagasaki
What was the name of the
American general who was in
charge of the U.S. army
occupying Japan?
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General MacArthur
What were three steps that
General MacArthur took to
help rebuild Japan?
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Japan’s military was disbanded and
weapons factories were closed.
Government and military leaders involved in
the bombings at Pearl Harbor were brought
to trial and punished.
A constitutional monarchy was established –
the Japanese had the same rights as
Americans and the emperor’s power was
limited.
At the end of WWII, much of
Japan’s infrastructure was
gone. What is infrastructure?
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It consists of the public systems and
services of a nation. Ex. Roads,
railroads, bridges, buildings, sewer
systems, power lines, etc.
One of the MAIN reasons
the United States occupied
Japan after WWII was that
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The United States never wanted Japan to be
a militaristic power again.
What were the goals of the
United States in the effort to
rebuild Japan after WWII?
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Rebuilding Japan’s infrastructure.
Establishing a new, democratic
government.
Helping Japan’s economy recover.
What was America’s overall
feeling about what type of
country Japan needed to
become after the end of
WWII?
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U.S. leaders wanted Japan to become
a peaceful nation, with a stable
democratic government.
What were some of the
things America helped Japan
do in order to rebuild their
nation?
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They helped rebuild the economy by
rebuilding the infrastructure.
In the country they helped farmers.
All of the military leaders were
stripped of their power.
At the end of the war Japan
had to give up some territory.
What did they have to give up
and what did they get to keep?
Give up
Manchuria
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Formosa (Taiwan)
Keep
Only home
islands
What is the United States –
Japanese Mutual Security Pact?
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It prohibits the use of nuclear
weapons and military attacks against
the Japanese without the knowledge
of the Japanese government.
(A direct response to the civilian
deaths caused by Hiroshima and
Nagasaki.)
How long did the U.S.
occupation of Japan last?
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It lasted from 1945-1952 – 7 years.
In general the people were very
comfortable with the changes that
took place after WWII. The economy
recovered quickly and grew.
What happened to the Japanese
emperor’s power at the end of
WWII?
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The Japanese emperor was stripped of
his power and became a figurehead.
The Japanese monarchy is the longest
continuous monarchy in the world.
Emperor Hirohito
(1901-1989)
Emperor Akihito
Current Emperor
Japan’s
Royal
Family
What type of government was
established in Japan after
WWII?
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A constitutional monarchy
Describe Japan’s economy
today.
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Today Japan has the fifth-largest
economy in the world (2012).
European Union
United States
China
India