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These two countries were bitterly embroiled in the most vicious war that either had ever seen. Japan unexpectedly bombed the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in 1941 sparking the American entrance into World War 2. Nearly 4 years of brutal fighting later and President Harry Truman authorized the use of not just one but two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bringing about Japan’s unconditional surrender.
What do you do with a country that you have just brought to submission? If you didn’t already know the rest of the story, it might surprise you to find out that nearly 75 years later, these two countries are very tight allies and that is not a new development.
Japanese Reconstruction
Immediately after Japan’s surrender in September, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur was appointed by President Truman to be the Supreme Commander of Allied Powers (SCAP) and began the work of rebuilding Japan. Although technically Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the Republic of China had an advisory role as part of an “Allied Council,” MacArthur had the final authority to make all decisions in Japan. This was an unprecedented amount of power for one man to wield.
If you want a deeper look at this 7-year period of the American occupation of Japan under the near-dictatorial rule of General MacArthur, then I would recommend the second half of the documentary “American Caesar” below. The end of the war and the Japanese occupation begins around 2 hours and 5 minutes in.
Just as a quick example of the type of man that General MacArthur was, upon arrival in Japan he saw the suffering and starvation that was happening. He immediately called for the stored rations from around the Pacific theater (being stockpiled for a planned land invasion of Japan if they had not surrendered) to be distributed to the Japanese people. He also lobbied for further humanitarian aid for the Japanese.
This was at a time when Americans wanted to see war criminals come to justice. The American people wanted reparations for the war and judgment for the Japanese offenses, they didn’t want to give their enemies a handout. But he famously told Truman, “send me bread or send me bullets,” because he knew that if these people were mistreated and starving then they would be ripe for a violent uprising, and he did not want to continue in war. As good as he was at the art of war, he was a peace-loving man.
The occupation of Japan can be divided into two phases: the initial effort to punish and reform Japan and the work to revive the Japanese economy and bring peace.
Phase One
The first phase, roughly from the end of the war in 1945 through 1947, involved the most fundamental changes for the Japanese Government and society. The Allies punished Japan for its past militarism and expansion by convening war crimes trials in Tokyo. One notable missing person from these trials was the Japanese Emperor Hirohito.
Seventy-seven percent of Americans wanted the Emperor to be severely punished according to an opinion poll conducted six weeks before the Japanese surrender. However, MacArthur believed that removing the Emperor would have led to immediate anarchy and terroristic activity. The Emperor was seen not just as a political figure, but as the God of their Shinto religion. Wisely, he met with Hirohito and invited him to work together provided that he renounce his claims to divinity, and encourage the Japanese people towards an American style democracy.
This proved to be an amazing strategy, and Hirohito was of great use to the occupation forces. MacArthur preserved the Emperor and his government’s appearance. He trusted in the ability of the Emperor to maintain control over his people and to suppress any potentially rebellious elements. At the same time, he dismantled the Japanese Army and banned former military officers from taking roles of political leadership in the new government.
In the economic field, he introduced land reform, designed to benefit the majority tenant farmers, and reduce the power of rich landowners, many of whom had advocated for war and supported Japanese expansionism in the 1930s. MacArthur also tried to break up the large Japanese business conglomerates as part of the effort to transform the economy into a free-market capitalist system.
In 1947, Allied advisors essentially dictated a new constitution to Japan’s leaders. Some of the most profound changes in the document included downgrading the emperor’s status to that of a figurehead without political control and placing more power in the parliamentary system, promoting greater rights and privileges for women, and renouncing the right to wage war, which involved eliminating all non-defensive armed forces. Amazingly, this constitution has not been amended in the over 70 years since its establishment.
Phase Two
From late 1947-1950, they entered a period of economic crisis. This period is sometimes called the “reverse course.” In this stage of the occupation, the economic rehabilitation of Japan took center stage.
Macarthur was concerned that a weak Japanese economy would increase the influence of the domestic communist movement, and with a communist victory in China’s civil war increasingly likely, the future of East Asia appeared to be at stake. The policies to address the weakening economy during this period ranged from tax reforms to measures aimed at controlling inflation. However, the most serious problem was the shortage of raw materials required to feed Japanese industries and markets for finished goods.
Luckily, the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 would provide Japan’s economy with just the opportunity it needed to address this problem. After the United Nations entered the Korean War, Japan became the principal supply depot for UN forces. The conflict also placed Japan firmly within the confines of the U.S. defense perimeter in Asia, assuring the Japanese leadership that whatever the state of its military, no real threat would be made against Japanese soil.
Even while the Korean War was raging, MacArthur set out to secure a formal peace treaty to end both the war and the occupation. The real threat at this time appeared to be the creep of communism in Asia, and a strong and free Japan would be a greater asset in the Pacific than an American outpost. The final agreement allowed the United States to maintain its bases in Okinawa and elsewhere in Japan, and the U.S. Government promised Japan a bilateral security pact. This peace treaty was ratified in September 1951 in San Francisco.
Korean War
Often called the forgotten war, the Korean War showcases the first time that the Cold War between Communism and Capitalism really heated up. In 1947, Truman committed the country to a policy of “containment,” in which communism would be allowed to remain where it already existed, but the Soviet Union and its allies would not be allowed to gain control of any new areas deemed important to America’s national security. This so-called “Truman Doctrine” committed the country to the defense of “free peoples” everywhere against communist aggression. Korea would be the first place where American troops would fight and die for that principle.
In 1945, Korea was liberated from the fairly violent control of the Japanese, but instead of handing the country back to the Koreans, it was divided between Soviet control in the north and American control in the south. Remember, at this time, the US and Soviets were still allies, but this was a recipe for disaster during the Cold War which was now boiling.
The Korean War would serve as the first in a series of skirmishes, standoffs, and conflicts that are really proxy wars between the Imperialist Capitalist Americans and the Communist forces wherever they may be. This pattern still continues to this day, and this very conflict with North Korea is still an ongoing threat as Kim Il Sung’s grandson Kim Jong Un is the current ruler (Unless the rumors of his death or coma are true) and they boast of their Nuclear capabilities despite sanctions and calls for disarmament.
Dismissal of MacArthur
One of the most interesting aspects of Korea to me was the disagreement between MacArthur about the appropriate course of action once their forces were in North Korea at the Yalu River and were threatened with Chinese forces. The cooler head prevailed as Truman was forced to dismiss General MacArthur. Had he been allowed to push into China or to attack their bases (possibly with Nuclear weapons) who knows where we would be today.
As you watch the video below, I want you to think about the lessons that the Japanese learned from this interaction. By this time, MacArthur has essentially replaced the Emperor in Japan and he was considered by many to be divine. There were even Japanese Christians that called him the second coming of Christ. What lessons do the Japanese learn by seeing this powerful figure dismissed and what can we tell about MacArthur from his demeanor after his dismissal?
I was very surprised that Hirohito just cooperated with them. He was viewed as a god and he gave it up.
I don’t know if he had much of a choice. Imagine what they would have done to him had he refused. It probably wouldn’t have been anything too bad, so as not to upset the general public, but his lifestyle would not have been as comfortable as it was. He wasn’t willing to make that sacrifice.
The Japanese learned that power doesn’t equal divinity. Just as Emperor Hirohito lost his power, MacArthur lost his. MacArthur was a man of pride. He may have had good intentions when he claimed that attacking China was the best course of action for America, but he didn’t consider all the possible outcomes of such a provocation. He was a good military leader who let his pride get in the way of his duty.
I agree, when Hirohito lost his power, the Japanese people realized that he was not a an all powerful deity.
The Japanese probably lost some faith in Hirohito’s divinity after they were defeated in the Pacific Theater. After their defeat he was still a person that the Japanese people looked up to, and he had a lot of influence. I think it was wise that American didn’t try to scrap the political system in Japan and then try to do it a different way, they changed the already present system to their liking.
Getting rid of/punishing Hirohito may have caused an uprising, so it was wise on the US’s part.
Getting rid of/punishing Hirohito may have caused an uprising. I also believe that the US was wise.
Macarthur was a brilliant strategist, but I guess he was almost too aggressive for Truman. However, when the president relieved him, many Americans disliked this. He may have been a war hero, but that doesn’t mean that he is always right. I think Truman did well.
yea, Macarthur became so attached to Japan, who had ironically just been at war with the US, that he wanted revenge on the Chinese.
Macarthur was a brave man and risked his life for the good of his people. It also was interesting to hear about all the events that happened between Japan and Korea
MacArthur definitely looked out for the people in Japan. Right when he arrived he saw what was happening, the suffering and starvation. He then called for the rations that were being saved for the land invasion and gave it to the Japanese people. This shows that he cares about what is going around him.
Truman did very well in dismissing Macarthur. Macarthur wanted to bring out the nukes on china, and then America would’ve just been know for carelessly using our atomic bombs, not caring about the deaths of innocent civilians.
How did MacArthur get Hirohito to comply? Seems like he would not have wanted to leave his position of power so easily. He dropped so far from deity to makeshift president.
Hirohito expected to be killed. He was an conquered enemy. The fact that MacArthur treated him like an equal is amazing.
I feel like the Korean War is often called the forgotten war because not as many countries were involved in it. If you look at World War I or World War II, more countries were involved and there was a more tragic aftermath from these than the Korean War.
I really like how countries like America and Brittian actually want to see these countries rebuilt. They could have just let them slowly deteriorate but these countries made the SCAP to help them prosper even after losing in a war
I agree with Cecilia here and how this war is just forgotten but it is such a crucial part to the world
wow this is very informative thank you
Good decision on Americas side. too much power for the people in charge was definitely going to there head and clouding judgement. Control becomes a problem when people start using it to play God.
MacAuthor probably got hirohito to support him becuase he showed hirohito what he saw was happening in Japan. By seeing the need for change it is best for the president of Japan hear about the suggestion.