East+Asia

East Asia in the Postwar Settlements Main Ideas: After the advent of WWII, several East Asian states gained a sense of economic and political stability. These nations and states included Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, and eventually, Korea. - After WWII, Taiwan was ruled "in principle" by the Chinese government of Chiang Kai-Shek - Islands in the Pacific were decolonized - Phillipines taken over by the United States (promised independence) - The United States took steps in ensuring the de-militarization of Japan through occupation - The US also aided in selective westernization campaign in Japan (female enfranchisement, unions, etc) ---> lead to explosive growth of the economy ---> Parliament eventually afforded real political power; emperor becomes a figure head ---> New constitution outlined new democracy and more civil liberties for Japanese individuals - The Liberal Democracy Party (the result of consolidation of two parties) dominated Japanese politics up until 1990 - Korea divided after WWII because of claims made by the US and the Soviet Union (Cold War rivarly) - The US backed forces from the South (Republic of Korea), while the Russians, and later the Chinese, backed forces from the north (People's Democratic Republic of Korea) - The government in the north was Stalinist/communist - The start of the Korean War began after North Koreans made advances towards South korea, with the ultimate goal of achieving unification. - Hong Kong was British colony until the near the end of the 20th century - Japan after WWII created an economy that went through vigorous growth because of a "distinctive political and cultural reforms" ---> Japanese held many of its own distinctive political features (Meiji Japan, willingness to compromise, government-business coordination, good labor policies) ---> By 1982, "the total national product was equal to the combined totals of China, both Koreas, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, Austrialia, and Brazil) > Result of educational expansions, US economic aid, no capital devoted to military expeditures, etc - Conformism emphasized, nonconformism frowned upon - Many nations followed Japan's lead in the economic sphere following Japans success (Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong), but still some authoritarian govts. remained (although there was pressure to adopt a new Westernized styles of government. - South Korea underwent a period of significant economic dynamism (parly due to advances in steel and textiles) - Hyundai (great industrial group) epitomized South Korea economic surge - High population densities in Korea - Taiwan became an increasingly stable country (partly due to careful government oversight + unusual dicipline) - Singapore also followed in economic revolution (electronics, textiles, oil refining) - All countries had characteristics of hard working people, but economic growth began to falter in the last decade