Chapter 5 - US Containment In Action In Asia Flashcards
1
Q
Why did US policy towards Japan?
A
- After WW2, USA had sole occupation of Japan
- Lasted until 1952
- Sept 1945 = MacArthur given decision-making powers to help rebuild Japan
- e.g.: re-education, economic reform, demilitarisation
2
Q
What was MacArthur’s role in Japan?
A
- 1949 = MacArthur made Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers
- Told measures must ensure Japan’s economic stabilisation
3
Q
What was the ‘super balanced budget’?
A
- Arranged by Dodge (MacArthur’s economic advisor) and Japan’s finance minister
- To establish lasting economic recovery
- Set a target of surplus of 157 million yen
- BUT initially led to unemployment due to business closures
4
Q
What was GATT?
A
- General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
- US demanded Japan join
- Strengthened Japanese access to Western trade
- Prevented trade with communist China from late 1950
5
Q
Why did US-Japanese relations change in 1950?
A
- Feb 1950 = China formed military alliance with USSR
- USA saw itself even more so as global policeman
- Japan now crucial to contain communism in Far East
6
Q
Dulles’ role in Japan
A
- Chief negotiator for Second World War peace treaty between USA and Japan
7
Q
What DIDN’T the San Francisco Peace Treaty do?
A
- Place significant restrictions on Japan’s economy
- Place significant restrictions on future political model
- Identify Japan as responsible for war
- Restrict Japanese future rearmament
- Impose reparation payments for Southeast Asian states occupied by Japan during war
8
Q
Who didn’t sign the San Francisco Peace Treaty?
A
- USSR
- People’s Republic of China
9
Q
What DID the San Francisco Peace Treaty do?
A
- Recognise full sovereignty of Japanese people
- Force Japan to renounce claims ti many neighbouring territories (e.g.: Korea, Spratly Island, Paracel Islands)
10
Q
What did the US-Japan Security Treaty give the USA?
A
- Unrestricted use of military bases in Japan
- Administrative control of Okinawa
- Right to use military force to intervene in any internal disorder in Japan
- Right to veto Japan offering military bases to other states
11
Q
How was Japan rearmed?
A
- MacArthur ordered establishment of Japanese National Police Reserve
(75,000 men, trained by US military advisory team) - 1952 = Japanese gov established National Safety Agency
(110,000 ground troops and 7,600 maritime personnel) - Nov 1952 = US announced plans for Japanese Air Force
- July 1954 = agreed Self-Defence Force to be created (140,000 strong) and funded by USA
12
Q
What was the significance of Acheson’s White Paper?
A
- Justified US withdrawal from direct military support for Jieshi in Chinese civil war
- Wanted to support KMT in China but secretly so US not an ‘imperialist menace’
- Didn’t want to reinforce a Sino-Soviet alliance
13
Q
What was the significance of the Defensive Perimeter Strategy?
A
- Established by Acheson
- Focused on military security of the Pacific
- Criticised for leaving Korea out of defensive perimeter
14
Q
What were the reasons for the NSC-68?
A
- Sep 1949 = USSR tested its own atomic bomb
- Truman’s ‘loss of China’
15
Q
What was the significance of the NSC-68?
A
- Stressed urgency of US developing political, economic and military power
- Powerful military focus on containment
