Japan (1945-Today)

Japan after WWII

- Japan was in shambles

- many Japanese were homeless

- no homes, food, jobs, or money

Occupation

Occupation

- The American Forces landed in Japan and began rebuilding under the command of General Douglas MacArthur.

2 Goals of Occupation

1. Destroy any remaining military/supporters

2. Install a democratic government

1. Japan’s armed forces were disbanded

2. Trials were held for war criminals

3. A new constitution was written

- Japan could only have a small defensive

army

- Emperor lost all power

- established a parliament called the Diet

Japan becomes an economic superpower

- Between 1950 and 1975 Japan recovered

- Us gave Japan $$$ and protection

- It built modern factories that quickly outpaced factories in the US.

- Became one of the top producers of cars, cameras, and TV’s around the globe

- Japan benefited from a highly educated workforce.

TOYOTA HONDA

NISSAN MAZDA

MITSUBISHI SUBARU

SUZUKI ISUZU

Japan Today

- most Japanese live in cities

- overpopulated cities

- expensive housing

- tiny, cramped apartments

- Japan is earthquake prone

                                                                                                           

                                        

Japanese Customs

- Ancestry worship

- Honor

- Women in subordinate roles

- long working hours

- savings is very important to economy

Taiwan - once ruled by China

-became semi-independent in 1945

-US gave Taiwan support and built it into a major economic power

-Today China wants to regain control over Taiwan

-China recently threatened to invade the small island

Hong Kong - Controlled by Britain since 1800’s

-Grew into a center of trade under

the British Empire

- Home to many Foreign Banks

-1997: Hong Kong returned to

China

- China promised not to change Hong Kong’s social or government structure for 50 years.

History of Vietnam:

Foreign Policy

Indochina

- Prior to World War II Vietnam was known as Indochina

- Was a French Colony

Move towards Independence

- Vietnamese groups demanded independence from France: Group led by Ho Chi Minh

 - U.S. supports French control over Vietnam

1946 - Vietnam splits in two:

Communist North and

Non-Communist South

1954 - France surrenders at Dein

Bien Phu:

US begins sending money

and military advisors to

support Sought Vietnam

1959 - Viet Cong created in Vietnam:

Goal: to unite South with the North

1962 – US begins sending troops to Vietnam

(Mostly Special Forces)

1964 - Gulf of Tonkin incident and resolution

- Report of a North Vietnamese attack on an American ship in neutral waters in August 1964

- Congress gives President Johnson the power to "take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression."

Vietnam - US involved 1965-1973 (officially)

- public support at home declines

- Nixon withdraws troops in 1973,

declaring South Vietnam was strong

enough to stand on their own.

-1975: North takes over South and

unifies county under Communism

Presidents During Vietnam

US GOVT BUNKER

US and USSR

1970’s – First Nuclear Weapons Treaty

1979 – Soviet’s invade Afghanistan

(The US supports afghan rebels)

1980’s- New Soviet Leader:

Mikhail Gorbachev- President Regan and

Gorbachev hold 4 summit conferences easing tensions and resulting in nuclear disarmament

- 1989: Soviet Union falls apart and the Cold War comes to an end

1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall1990-1991 : Collapse of USSR

President Clinton 1992-2000

1. Bosnia

2. Somalia

3. Haiti

4. Middle East Peace

5. North Korea

The Bush Doctrine

- Current US Foreign Policy (Post 9-11)

- “ The US will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them”

- Invasion of Afghanistan (2001)

- Invasion of Iraq (2003)

CHINA

Read page 560-565 in text

Exam: Cold War/Asia