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Food Shortages
There were food shortages due to a bad harvest, so MacArthur put in place a rations system, but it did not give enough nutrience. This is important to post WWII Japan because peoeple were desperate and crime rate went up, such as black markets popping up. -
Potsdam Declaration
The Potsmark Declaration was put in place when Allies negotiacted terms for the end of World War II. The declaration threatened Japn with, "prompt and utter destruction," if Japan did not unconditionally surrender. This is important to post Wrl War II Japan because the ultimatum resulted in Japan surrendering and led to SCAP and General Douglas MacArthur coming into Japan. (1 & 2) -
Atombic Bombing
The US dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima on August 6th and 9th. The emporer surrenders and Japan gives back all the land it occupied. This event is significant to post WWII Japan because it ended WWII and also it significantly damaged Japan. -
MacArthur and SCAT try to rebuild Japan
General Douglas MacArthur used the Supreme Command of Allied Powers to rebuild Japan. SCAP and MacArthur, over the next few years, attemped to fix Japans economy and combat communism. This is a significant event because it provided a power source in Japan that was eager to restore it to its former glory, and also westernize it with means of propaganda through controlling mass media. -
Punishment and Initial Reforms in Japan
SCAP made initial reforms in Japan, such as dismantling the military, except for enough for civil disapline, and banning military leaders from becoming political leaders. Land reforms were made to benefit small buisnesses and farms, while strinking big buisness. Trials occured for war crimes and expansion. This intial reform was significant to Japan because it shifted the power to western powers. -
Spread of Disease
Due to the lack of housing and extreme poverty that was occuring in Japan, disease spread and many were infected and killed. Almost 150,000 people were to have died of Tuberculosis, and Japan expierenced a rise in drugs, crime and alcoholism. This is significant to Japan post WWII because conditions were very bad and this event caused nationalism to be very low, and quality of life at this time was bad. -
New Consitution
General Douglas MacArthur and SCAP created a new constitution for Japan. It included womans rights and downgraded the emporers power. This event was significant to post WWII Japan because it created a parliment, therefore changing the government of Japan. -
Economic Policy Changes
MacArthur and SCAP created new economic policies to try to help the Japanese economy. They did this by making tax reforms and working against inflation. This series of reforms is significant because it helped Japans economy become strong, and therefore is it was likely to be taken over by communism from China. -
Korean War Begins
The Korea War was good for Japan because it became a depot for UN forces, thus solving thier issue with a shortage of raw material. The Korean War is significant to post WWII Japan because it facilitated trade, and also got Japan to more advanced technology. -
Treaty of San Francisco
Fifty two nations met in San Francisco to discuss peace and declare the offical ending of WWII. This was significant to Japan post WWII because it officailly ended Japan as an imperial power and had Japan compensate for war crimes they had comitted.
