East+Asia+and+the+Pacific+Rim

P. 812-823 Notes

Main Idea: Noncommunist states developed along the pacific rim after the end of WWII and maintained a neo-Confucian emphasis on the importance of conservative politics and a strong state. · Taiwan o Restored to China, which had previously been ruled by Chiang Kai-Shek · New divisions = created, end of empires = happened, territories regained - __Japanese Recovery__ · 1945 Japan = wreckage · Gen. Douglas MacArthur = tore down Japan’s wartime political structure, Japan in 1952 = signed peace treaty where its military forces were disbanded, the police = decentralized, may officials = removed, and political prisoners were released. · Democratization of Japanese society = pushed · New constitution = attempt to cut through older limitations by making parliament the supreme government body along w/ several other guaranteed civil liberties. · New constitutional measures = J Japanese people, repulsed by military revival · Liberal Democratic party o Monopolized Japan’s government into the 1990s o Combo of two moderate parties that emerged in 1955 __- Korea: Intervention and War__ · Republic of Korea o United States sponsored, southern · People’s Democratic Republic of Korea o Soviet sponsored, northern · June 1950 o Attempt to reconcile North and South Korea by Northern Korea o US = quickly reacts · Korean War o Under General MacArthur’s leadership o Allied forces pushed North Korea back and drived on toward Chinese border __- Emerging Stability in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore__ · Authoritarian political patterns nationalists developed in China = applied by need to keep disaffected Taiwanese in check · Hostility with communist regime = ^^ · Hong Kong o Remained British colony
 * EAST ASIA IN THE POST WAR SETTLEMENTS **

Main Idea: Japan onward from the 1950s became intensely concentrated on economic growth and distinctive political and cultural forms as the nation proved itself with industrial success that did not rely on Western patterns. · Japanese politics = conservative stability · System = revived many of oligarchic features of Mejii Japan and 1920s Japan · Japan’s distinctive political atmosphere = clearly in strong cooperation with business. · Rapid economic growth made Japan’s clearest mark internationally · Total national product in China = combined totals of China, North and South Korea, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, Australia, and Brazil. · Economic surge o Active government encouragement, o educational expansion o foreign policy Main Idea: Political authoritarianism was a characteristic of most Pacific Rim states, although there were democratic instances in which greater freedom was wanted. Economic and political developments in several nations and city-states on Asia’s rim coast = looked after Japan’s lead. · South Korea = obvious example of spread of new economic dynamism to other parts of Pacific Rim · Freedom in press · South Korean government = focus on economic growth · Hyundai o Example of huge industrial groups that resembled the great Japanese holding companies before and after WWII; also wielded great political influence. · Taiwan and City States = advance o Republic of China & Taiwan = high rate of economic development § Productivity in both agriculture and industry = ^^ rapidly · Land reforms, benefited small commercial farmers § Government = concentrate ^ on economic gains as plans for military action against mainland communist regime = vv  o Chiang Ching-kuo § Took over for father Chiang Kai-shek shortly after his death in 1978 § Emphasized personal authority less than his father § Reduced gap between mainland-born military personnel and native Taiwanese in government ranks § Strong authoritarian strain = continued, political diversity = still not encouraged o Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew § Took office in 1965 § Held power for next three decades § Established tight controls over citizens § Government = proclaimed necessity of unusual discipline and restraint
 * JAPAN, INCORPORATED **
 * JAPAN, INCORPORATED **