Rebuilding Japan after World War II
America’s post war ally
Devastation
Japan was devastated at the conclusion of World War II
All major cities except Kyoto were destroyed
The entire infrastructure of Japan needed rebuilding
Occupation of Japan
1945- 1952: Allied powers occupy Japan (mostly U.S. forces)
General MacArthur: first Supreme Commander
The goal was to establish a democratic government in Japan
Changes for Japan
The Allied (U.S.) forces implemented the following major changes:
New constitution
Lost all territory
Land reform
Demilitarization
New Constitution
New Constitution went into effect in 1947: Constitutional Monarchy
Emperor lost all his political and military power
Figurehead: a symbol of the state
Universal suffrage
Human rights achieved
The End of Colonialism
Japan lost all of its territory that it had acquired after 1894
Japan no longer occupied Korea or China
Land Reform
Concentration of power was dissolved
Land ownership was redistributed (write this one only)
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)
War criminals were tried
Self Defense Force :(1954) in place of a full standing military
Allied occupation ends in 1952
Economic Growth
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:
Electronics
Automobiles
Rebuilding of Japan questions
Answer the following on a sheet of paper using complete sentences:
(1) Explain at least three (3) ways in which Japan was rebuilt economically, socially, or politically.
(2) Why would the Allied powers want to establish a democracy in Japan?
(3) How could a democratic Japan benefit the U.S. economy?
(4) Why do you think Japan focused on industry instead of agriculture? (Hint: Think about geography)
(5) Make a list of all the products made in Japan you can think of and explain how they have impacted your life
Rebuilding of Japan questions
Answer the following on a sheet of paper using complete sentences:
(1) Explain at least three (3) ways in which Japan was rebuilt economically, socially, or politically.
(2) Why would the Allied powers want to establish a democracy in Japan?
(3) How could a democratic Japan benefit the U.S. economy?
(4) Why do you think Japan focused on industry instead of agriculture? (Hint: Think about geography)
(5) Make a list of all the products made in Japan you can think of and explain how they have impacted your life