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THESIS
Although various preexisting values remained present in governance, economy, and politics in East Asia and the Pacific Rim from the 1940s onward, the fluctuations of the forms of governments, rapid growth of the economy, and the adoption of Western styles in politics show that change was far greater. -
Mao establishes the People's Republic of China in Beijing
After Mao Zedong conquered over Chiang Kai-shek, he made China communist. This is change because now mainland China would be solely communist. -
Communist China's focus shifts to urban workers
The Chinese communist leaders wanted to see success through rapid industrialization, so they turned their focus to urban workers as the future of China. This is change because peasants farmers were the way that communism was able to take power in China and they were the focus and now urban workers were the main priority. -
Liberal Democractic Party is established in Japan
The establishment of the Liberal Democratic party was the result of two moderate parties coming together. This is an example of change because even though the Liberal Democratic party would reinstall older oligarchic features into Japan, it would also bring various new political and economic changes like heightened political unity and a strong business foundation. -
Rapid economic growth in Japan (mid 1950s)
Japan began prospering economically in the 1950s. This was due to the high quality and high quantity of the products that Japan produced and that were exported internationally. This is change because it would lead to Japan becoming one of the top economies of the world, which was not the case before. -
Japan makes law for social obligations to the elderly
Japan made a law saying that the elderly should be respected and protected to be insured a peaceful life. This is significant continuity because even though Japan was making great changes politically, it still retained this ancient value and implemented it into their new ways. -
South Korean economic growth rates mirror Japan's
South Korea was able to put products such as cheap consumer goods, automobiles, and steel into international markets, which gave a massive boost to its economy, making it similar to Japanese economy by the 1970s. This is change because Southern Korea was much poorer than Japan in earlier times due to exploitation, but they finally turned things around and were able to grow to match Japan's. -
Singapore has the second highest per capita in Asia (1980s)
Singapore's authoritarian poltical style helped increase production and economic development. They began to build electronics, textiles, and ships. This is an example of change because the changes in government and the assistance of government control were able to increase revenue to unprecedented levels in Singapore. -
Liberal Democratic Party falls
Due to political corruption within the Liberal Democratic Party, the party was replaced. This is major change because the new coalition governments installed were unstable which led to unemployment and an economic recession, which was unlike what Japan economic prosperity Japan was used to before the fall of the party had happened. -
Hong Kong is returned to China
Hong Kong was returned to communist China after they negotiated with the British. Even though Hong Kong was democratic and had a free market system, China was willing to allow it to keep those components. So, this would be an example of continuity since China promised Hong Kong that they could retain their old properties of democracy and free enterprise even though it now was a territory of a communist government. -
Indonesia turns to democracy
After Indonesian currency faltered and political pressure increased, Indonesia turned to a democratic form of government. This is change because Indonesia had been under authoritarian rule for quite a while.