Post-war+Asia+2nd+Period

=**Post-war Asia**= ==== After WWII, Asia was a changed place. Many countries had changes they were making right and left to become back where they were previous to the war or to a better place than before.The first change was the takeover of Communist leader Mao Tse-Dung that was only possible because of the poor people in the country. Second, the Korean war began due to rise of communism in North Korea. The United States found it necessary to come in and start a war over this matter. Third, the changes Japan went through going from ruins to eventual success with help from the United States. Last, the replacement of General Douglas MacArthur by Truman even though he was considered a hero for leading an assault.====

**Success of Mao Tse-Tung vs. Nationalists in China (U.S. reaction to Communist takeover):**
====In 1925, Mao Tse-Tung began to consider the potential of organizing the peasantry and concentrated all his efforts on rural China, this provided seeds for his rise to power in the late 1930s and 1940s. Without the poor peasants it would never have been possible to bring about in the countryside the present state of revolution and to overthrow the local bullies and bad gentry, the poor peasants have won the leadership in the peasant association. Without poor peasants there could be no revolution. Mao believed that all vestige Chinese traditional culture needed to be overturned so Confucianism, Monarchism, ancestor worship religion and the authority of elders were not allowed anymore. Mao himself referred to the new democracy as a democratic centralism (this is in essence a dictatorship) of all revolutionary classes. Mao made it so that there were only a few people that had power of the nation. Mao was the architect and a father of the people’s republic of China. Mao changed China from a peasant-based society into a major industrialized world power.====

**Korean War:**
====In 1945, the Soviet Union occupied the northern half and the United States occupied the southern half of Korea. On September 9th, the Japanese retreated from Korea. The northern part of Korea was more industrialized than the southern half, and the Soviet troops were stealing all the machinery they could find. The Russians made things worse by separating the two halves of the country. This stopped much of the transportation in the country. The people became enraged because of foreign countries' intrusions. The northern portion began to take on the Russian views of communism. By 1946 President Truman wanted the people of Korea to govern themselves, but the Russians wouldn't hear of it. The United Nations became involved and demanded general elections for Korea. The elections were held in places that could allow it. Furious, the Russians wrote a constitution for their zone and presented North Korea as an independent nation. In 1949, both Russia and the United States moved their troops out of the area. However, the leader of North Korea went to Stalin for aid in reuniting Korea by force. The United States now became focused on stopping Communist expansion. Kim II Sung, North Korea’s leader, finally convinced Stalin to help in Korea’s reunification, on the condition of North Korea supplying the Russians Industries. The war was basically the United States vs. Russia but they used the Koreas as their puppets. The South Korean military wasn’t strong enough - even with Americans - so the United States convinced the United Nations to aid them. Unfortunately the Chinese got involved and attacked the United Nation's troops in South Korea. The Chinese were successful for a period of time, but American reinforcements pushed back the Chinese. The Americans could have defeated them, but decided to appease China by allowing them to control Taiwan and several surround islands. ==== ====

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**Japan Reconstruction After WWII (Economic and Government Changes Dictated by the U.S.):**
====Japan was ruined after WWII ended. Everyone was having trouble surviving and living because of the major shortage of food, the damaged cities throughout the entire country, and seeing everyone else in ruins. Many of the islands were taken over by the United States and Soviet Union that were not returned to them until many years later - some still held by Russia. General Douglas MacArthur entered into the country and took his place as the leader, leaving Emperor Hiorohito as the emperor with minimal power. The reason for this was to avoid major chaos in the country from extreme takeover. General MacArthur was given quite a bit of respect during the six years he was in the country ruling the people as a dictator. He put many things into place that helped the country such as a school lunch program, voting rights for women, and attempting to make the country a democracy. Americans were respectful and did so much to help the country that they were thanked by the Japanese people for coming in and taking their place. Japan is now a very successful country and is one of the best in the world.====

**Douglas MacArthur vs. Truman on Military Policy in Korea:**
====In June of 1950, right after North Korea invaded South Korea, United States General Douglas MacArthur was selected as the commander of the United Nation forces that were defending South Korea. MacArthur then led an assault on Inchon on September 15, 1950 and was considered a hero for his actions because it was an extremely risky move. Seven months later, on April 11, 1951, President Truman fired him for making public statements that differed from the official policies of the United States Government with regard to Truman’s order to restrict the military interaction with the media. Douglas MacArthur still remains a controversial topic in the military field. President Truman sent a letter of dismissal to Douglas MacArthur saying that the reason he was getting dismissed would be released to public once he got the letter. President Harry Truman gave MacArthur an order to push to the Yalu River and to destroy the bridges so that it would be very difficult for the Chinese to cross the river with big numbers. But Truman failed to give MacArthur the message. He said the reason he fired him was because he would not respect the authority of the President.==== ====

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**The U.S.'s reaction to events in East-Asia, and their Concerns:**
====In reaction to the events in East-Asia, the U.S. wanted to stop the Soviet Union growth and power. They wished to be stronger than Russia, and to stop their views on economy. The U.S. wished to spread free trade throughout the world, but Russia wished to spread Communism, so they became rivals, which later turned into the Cold War. The main concerns the United States had after WWII was first, stopping the growth of communism, because they all knew it to be a very bad thing and needed to end any rise of communism about to erupt. Second, to bring back the peace and security to the all of Korea. Third, to increase employment for all people. Fourth, to pursue friendly policies with European governments as well as Asian governments. Last, to advance in technology and become stronger through it.====

http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch24kor.html http://www.funfront.net/hist/europe/coldwar.htm http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/http:// http://hnn.us/articles/9245.html http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MODCHINA/MAO.HTM http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2124.html http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2056.html [] []
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