Ss7h3c: Explain the Role of the US in the Rebuilding of Japan After World War II

SS7H3c: Explain the role of the US in the rebuilding of Japan after World War II

·  General Douglas McArthur was given the job of rebuilding Japan at the end of WWII

·  Japan’s government was established as a constitutional monarchy with a two-house parliament called the DIET

·  The emperor’s role was mainly ceremonial.

·  An interesting item of Japan’s constitution is that they are forbidden to declare war. They may only fight if they are attacked first.

SS7H3c. Explain the reasons for foreign involvement in Korea in terms of containment of communism

·  At the end of WWII, one of Russia’s goals was to be sure they would never be attacked again by a Western European country.

·  The leaders of the Soviet Union felt that having friendly, pro-communist countries along their borders would provide protection for their country.

·  The disagreements between the United States and the Soviet Union at the end of WWII were referred to as the Cold War.

·  At the end of WWII. Korea was divided into two regions with the Soviets in control of the northern part and the US in control of the southern part.

·  The US feared that both sections would become communist.

·  The US believed that if Korea became communist other countries in the region would also fall to communism (Domino Theory)

·  The political division made in 1954 remains today with North Korea a communist country and South Korea a democratic country.

SS7H3d: Describe the impact of communism in China in terms of Mao Zedong, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, and Tiananmen Square.

·  During most of the 20th century the Chinese communists were led by Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung)

·  When the Nationalist Republic of China was formed in 1929 many of Mao’s communist supported were attacked and killed.

·  Mao and the communists gained control of China after World War II.

·  In 1958 Mao organized all farms into collectives where ownership and decision making would be in the hands of the government. (part of a movement called the Great Leap Forward- thought positive changes would take place)

·  The Great Leap Forward was not successful because people wanted to be able to work for themselves and make a profit.

·  The Cultural Revolution was a period of time when Mao tried to eliminate anyone that criticized the government (do away with anyone/anything that threatened his idea of a classless society)

·  A new army of young people known as the Red Guard was used by Mao to enforce his policies in the 1960s.

·  Mao believed that a nation of farmers and workers would lead China to become more prosperous.

·  After Mao’s death in 1976 Deng Xiaoping became the leader of China.

·  Students protesting for greater political freedom in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989 were attacked by Chinese troops and many were killed or arrested.

·  The Tiananmen demonstrators had a statue, Goddess of Democracy that resembled our Statue of Liberty.