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U.S. Occupation 1945-1952 - Coggle Diagram
U.S. Occupation 1945-1952
Cultural Changes
Westernization:
U.S. soldiers introduced the Japanese to more American pastimes such as baseball and Hollywood entertainment. Interracial couples between soldiers and women in their communities became common leading to stronger fetishization of Japanese women after the occupation.
American military perspective:
They were forcing "peaceful democracy" onto a "centuries old militaristic people."
Hirohito
was not entirely pushed out of government power, but rather transitioned to a constitutional monarch. Hirohito's status as a godlike figure was reduced, but his support for the MacArthur constitution as a trade for war crime trials .
Japanese 'Common Man' Perspective
: Despite Hirohito's official loss of power, many landlords and peasants still believed that he was both descended from the gods and is essential to the nation. U.S. ideas of cultural individuality and equality were less accepted among this group.
Social Changes
The US claimed that
"free speech"
was allowed but censored US criticism or mention of the effects of atomic bombing.
Zaibatsu was dissolved, resulting in Farm Land Reform Act 1946:
Smaller businesses and farmers were able to thrive when they were no longer subject to larger enterprises.
Labor Standards Law 1947:
Workers had better rights, aimed to end struggling at the hands of the wealthier monopolies.
Perspective Hoffman:
Despite the supposed freedoms given by the Americans, the Japanese saw little social change.
Reeducation via the Stoddard Report
: Removed the militaristic and nationalistic values from the traditional curriculum. Stressed the importance of democracy in education.
Political Changes
MacArthur Constitution (1947):
Only given one week to draft constitution which radicalized the changes made. The constitution was the main driver of Japan's democratization, especially as it was enforced by the U.S. military more than Japanese officials.
'Democratic elections held':
SCAP remained in power until 1952 despite calls from the Japanese to end occupation earlier. In fact, the Americans had planned to continue occupation past 1952, but improving economic conditions persuaded them return rule to the Japanese.
Pacifist Clause:
Banned Japan from having a military except for defensive measures
Article 1:
Emperor is no longer a head of state, limited to figurehead
Article 9:
Renounce war as " a sovereign right of the nation"
Article 15:
Universal adult suffrage gave women the right to vote
Article 28:
Protects workers rights and unions
Crushing the Japanese Communist Party:
A movement driven by the US to uphold Jap occupation as a proxy for the Cold War. Collapsing the comm party also increased resources for new democracy.
Perspective Hane:
The Japanese-proposed constitution was too imperial, continuing to idolize the emperor. As a result, MacArthur had his staff create a more democratic constitution for Japan.
Reverse Course (1947-1952):
A shift in the Occupation during which the U.S. began re-militarizing Japan and strengthening their economy to aid in the U.S. anti-communist agenda. This ultimately allowed degredation of Japanese culture and politics to happen as the economic gains gave Japan the equal, international power they had always strived for.
Fight against the Soviet Union:
War criminals from WWII were released to begin fighting as a proxy military for the US. Potential communists were purged and the Japanese Communist Party was crushed.
Perspective Hane:
When the reverse course began, it became clear that the US did not trust Japanese democracy. “The cabinet and the Diet were essentially handmaidens of SCAP until the peace treaty went into effect in April 1952.”
Japan upheld global economy during Korean War (1950-53):
UN relied on Japanese exports which globalized Japan's economy further and improved their international social standing.
Dodge Line Economics (1948-52)
:
Greatly reduced inflation in Japan
Policies aided by the influx of demand for goods during the Korean War
Balancing the national budget to reduce inflation
More efficient tax collection
Dissolving the Reconstruction Finance Bank because of its uneconomical loans
Decreasing the scope of government intervention
Fixing the exchange rate to 360 yen to one US dollar to keep Japanese export prices low
Fiscal Austerity Policy:
An economic extreme during which the U.S. forced the Japanese government to reduce public debt. Caused rapid economic growth and increased international ties to Japanese economy, which improved their globalized power.
Perspective Hoffman
: Reverse Course " began to emphasize recovery over democracy"
Perspective Boyle:
“There can be no doubt that Japan became locked into the status of junior partner in its relations with the US and that this relationship prevailed beyond the occupation and left Japan incapable or unwilling to exercise autonomy in the conduct of its international affairs.” --The Reverse Course signified the true intentions of the US to take advantage of Japan's military in order to fight the Cold War.
