Levittown Schools



Chapter 31 Outline – Japan and the Pacific RimVI. The Present Era (1914 – Present)Japan and the Pacific RimDecades of Turmoil: The World Wars and Their ConsequencesJapan’s Ongoing Development (between WW1 and WW2, 1918-1939)By the 1920s, the Japanese economy soared and became modernizedJapan had huge businesses (called zaibatsu) and shipbuilding and metallurgy grewA new consumer culture emerged (ex: people went to movies and read newspapers)Universal education began, more people went to college, and Japan catching West in technologyJapan’s economy vulnerable to what was going on in the world b/c relied on selling exports (ex: silk exports weakening b/c of competition from Western made artificial fibers like rayon)Japan had huge population growth (1868 = 30 million, 1940 = 73 million) which led to crowded cities and poor living conditionsJapan hurt by Great Depression in 1930s, but military spending for WW2 helped recoveryKorekiyo Takahashi = Japanese minister of finance in 1930s who encouraged government spending (government provided jobs which helped stimulate economy)By late 1930s, Japan had 3rd largest navy in world, and basically caught up to West technologicallyPolitical Crisis and Growing MilitarismWhile the Japanese economy was growing, politically Japan was going through a crisisStarting in 1920s, Japan’s military leaders had major influence over foreign policy decisions Military leaders opposed civilian leaders, who wanted to limit spending on military (ex: civilian leaders angry when military leaders decided to take Manchuria from China)As Great Depression set in, conservative nationalist groups began rejecting Western influences that had begun to spread to the quickly modernizing JapanThese conservative leaders used the Great Depression to attack parliamentary system as weakA series of coups (rebellions) took place in Japan in the 1930s1932 = Prime minister killed by group of conservative military officers, though they didn’t rule Japan, and instead a moderate military rule was established (no more civilian rule thought)1936 = A failed coup was attempted, but more militaristic prime ministers began leading JapanTojo Hideki = General who helped prevent 1936 coup, pushed for military-style rule in JapanBy 1938, Japan had expanded (controlled Manchuria, Korea, and Taiwan, from which it sold exports and got imports) and leaders wanted to further expand JapanChange in Other Pacific Rim AreasB/t WW1 and WW2 the countries in the Pacific Rim (east Asia) each had different experiencesJapan controlled Korea during this time (Japan exploited Korea, leading to resentment by Koreans)Chinese culture no longer dominant influence on Korea, as Japanese put their stamp on KoreaJapan abolished Korean monarchy in 1909 and limited power of Korean court aristocracyKorean language newspapers banned and Japanese weights and measures and money usedResources in Korea were given to Japanese businesses, and Korean peasants forced to grow rice for export to Japan and other foreign marketsWhile terrible, the economic exploitation of Korea by Japan had some beneficial effectsKeys to later economic success of Korea developed under Japanese ruleKorea’s Christian minority became a basis for independent identity under Japanese occupationSingapore = Part of Britain’s Malaya colony; city with largely Chinese population; underwent important development in 1930s when British tried to build it into strong naval baseSingapore was major international port w/ access to rubber and tin producing areas of MalayaOccupied by Japan during WW2 which led to widespread poverty after the warEast Asia in the Postwar SettlementsNew Divisions and the End of EmpiresAsia was totally restructured after WW2 by the Allied nations that won the warAfter WW2: Korea divided, Taiwan returned to China, Europeans regained colonies of Vietnam, Malaya, and Indonesia (though each soon got independence), U.S. regained control of the Philippines (though soon granted it independence), and Japan was occupied by U.S.Japanese Recovery (Post-WW2 Japan)Japan was totally destroyed by the end of WW2 (1945) but experienced a rapid recoveryThe U.S., which occupied Japan after the war. avoided punishment and helped Japan recoverGeneral Douglas MacArthur = Led U.S. occupation of Japan; ended military rule in JapanAmericans supported democracy in Japan – gave women right to vote, encouraged labor unions, as abolished Shinto as state religionU.S. also reformed Japan economically – helped small farmers by breaking up large estates, and also broke up the powerful zaibatsuA new constitution was written, and parliament was made the supreme ruling bodyCivil liberties and freedoms were guaranteedJapan’s military was abolished (U.S. vowed to protect Japan), which made Japanese people happy since they had grown wary of military ruleThe emperor became a figurehead, with no political power and no longer considered holyJapanese had parliamentary system in past, so transition to new constitution went smoothlyJapan became democracy that allowed different political parties, but it was unique b/c only one party ruled for decadesLiberal Democratic Party =Moderate political party; dominated Japanese politicsWomen had gained right to vote, yet their condition was worse than women in the WestJapan placed huge emphasis on education, w/ rigorous exams to determine next level school Korea: Intervention and War (Post-WW2 Korea)Korea had many problems after WW2, and was divided into two nationsRepublic of Korea = South Korea, supported by the U.S., had authoritarian government led by Syngman Rhee (not a democracy, but not communist which U.S. liked)People’s Democratic Republic of Korea = North Korea, supported by the Soviets, led by communist dictator Kim Il-Sung until his death in 1994Korean War (1950-1953) = N. Korea attacked S. Korea (tried to make 1 communist nation)United Nation forces, led by the U.S. and Douglas MacArthur, drove the North Koreans out of South Korea and all the way back to the Chinese border War turned into a stalemate and original border was kept, and fighting ended in 1953After the Korean War, North Korea and South Korea continued to develop very differentlyNorth Korea became isolatedSouth Korea was helped by American aid and the economy grewStill today, there is much tension along the border between the two KoreasEmerging Stability in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and SingaporeTaiwan after WWW2: (this will be discussed more in chapter 35)Civil war in China (1945-1949) led to communists taking over mainland China (the nationalists fled to Taiwan and established authoritarian government under Chiang Kai-shek)In another part of Pacific Rim, Hong Kong and Singapore had close ties to the BritishHong Kong = Remained British colony after WW2, though gained more autonomy over time, and in 1997 it was given back to ChinaSingapore gained independence from British in 1971From 1960s onward, these areas had international influence due to manufacturing and tradeJapan, IncorporatedThe Distinctive Political and Cultural StyleJapanese politics very stable as Liberal Democratic Party held power from 1955-1990Unlike other democracies where power shifts b/t political parties, Japan dominated by 1 partyWasn’t until late 1980s when political scandals emerged that people challenged the 1 party Japan’s government was very supportive of business, which allowed industry to soar“Japan, Incorporated” = Nickname for Japan b/c government was so pro-businessCulturally, Japan preserved many of its traditionsTraditional styles of poetry and painting, tea ceremonies commonKabuki and No theater flourishedPainters and architects influenced by the international style, but put a Japanese twist on itOrchestras played Western composer music, but they incorporated Japanese flute and zitherWhile Japan borrowed culture (adding Japanese twist), Japanese culture didn’t spread to worldThe Economic SurgeJapan’s biggest impact on world was economically, starting in mid 1950sBy 1970s, Japan was one of top 3 economies in world, (by 1983, Japanese economy bigger than both Koreas, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, Australia, and Brazil combined)Per capita income (average salary) was still behind the West, but only slightlyJapanese corporations did huge international business, especially selling cars and electronicsThere were several reasons for this rapid economic growth post-WW2The government actively encouraged economic growth (remember, “Japan Incorporated”)Since Japan had no military, that money was spent on education, and this major focus on education allowed Japan to produce more engineers than anywhere in worldJapan’s labor policy worked well (how workers were treated)Each company had its own unions, so employees felt loyalty to their company and worked hardGroup loyalty was encouraged (ex: morning exercises that workers would do together)Managers listened to ideas of employees, so workers felt they had stake in company’s successManagers took active interest in employee suggestions making them feel importantJapanese reluctant to take vacations, and thus had less leisure time than workers in the WestFamily life in Japan was different from family life in the WestDespite access to better education, Japanese women did not gain as many rights as they did in West (Japanese women expected to be housewives and moms)When raising children, conforming to the group was a trait instilled in the child (unlike West)Tough exams and little leisure time led to many Japanese having a lot of stress, and it was more acceptable in Japan to go on drinking binges and visit Geisha houses While Japanese tried to maintain culture, there were changes in popular culture over timeBaseball became popular beginning when Americans occupied Japan after WW2Tensions b/t older generation (preserve traditions) and younger generations (open to West)Another change that arose was pollution becoming a major problem in Japan by the 1960s, and some people began wearing masks in publicThe 1990s brought new questions to JapanThe Liberal Democratic Party lost power due to corruption, ending long 1 party ruleEconomic problems set in, and a severe recession led to large-scale unemploymentThe Pacific Rim: New Japans?The Korean Miracle (Post-WW2 South Korea)Other than Japan, South Korea saw the biggest economic growth in the Pacific RimSouth Korea was generally ruled by authoritarian, militaristic leaders, mostly army leadersIn 1980s, protests ousted military leaders from power, but conservative leaders replaced them, so things didn’t change muchLike Japan, South Korean government mostly focused on economic growthHuge industries were created, partly by the government, and partly through private ownershipBy 1980s, South Korea was competing with Japan in consumer goods, steel, textiles, and cars Like in Japan, huge companies emerged which had a lot of political cloutHyundai = South Korean multinational automobile corporation; had so much power it basically governed southeast South Korea (built ships including petroleum supertankers, built thousands of homes, sold to low paid workers, at below market rates, built schools)Since Hyundai provided cheap homes and schooling, workers put in 6 day work weeks with only 3 vacation days per yearThe economic growth of South Korea produced a lot of changes for the nationPopulation soared, and South Korea had one of the highest population densities in the worldGovernment eventually encouraged couples to limit birthrateAdvances in Taiwan and the City-States (post-WW2 Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong)Taiwan also had a high rate of economic growth after WW2 (we study Taiwan more in chapter 35)Land reform that helped small farmers reason for agricultural growthTaiwanese government involved in economy, but allowed for private ownership alsoEducation increased greatlyTaiwan preserved culture, but Western culture spread also (ex: medicine and entertainment)Taiwan began trading with east Asia, especially JapanTaiwan was formed by the Chinese leaders who fled after communists won civil war to rule ChinaChiang Ching-kuo = son of 1st ruler, Chiang Kai-shek; took power after his dad died (1978)Still very authoritarian, although allowed more native Taiwanese to be in governmentSingapore’s economic growth resembled Taiwan’s in many waysLee Kuan Yew = Prime minister of Singapore, 1959-1990, when it gained full independenceYew was leader of only political party in Singapore, the People’s Action Party (PAP)Government of Singapore strict, and used harsh discipline, which led to low crime ratesTo grow economy, government allowed free enterprise (Singapore became a leading exporter of manufactured goods and also is big in banking industry) By 1980s, Singapore had highest per capita income in Asia and health conditions and education had improved greatlyHong Kong was also a major portAlso became center of international banking (bridge b/t communist China and rest of world)By 1980s, textiles and clothing 39% of exportsProsperous middle class emergedIn 1997, Britain gave Hong Kong back to China, and communist China promised to respect the Hong Kong’s free market economy and democratic rightsCommon Themes and New ProblemsPacific Rim had more in common than just rapid economic growth and exportsAll stressed group loyalties over individual excessAll had reliance on government planning and direction, while limiting dissentEconomic growth of the Pacific Rim began spreading throughout southeast Asia by the 1980s“Little tigers” Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand began to have rapid economic growth along with accompanying pollution problemsBut the end of the 1990s revealed weakness in the Pacific RimGrowth stopped, unemployment went up, and currencies took a hitWest argued must get government out of economy and allow more free marketPolitical pressure came along with economic struggles(ex: long-term dictator of Indonesia was overthrown in 1998 and democracy came) ................
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