US containment in action in Asia: the reconstruction of Japan and US-Japanese relations; support for Jiang Jieshi and policy towards China and Taiwan; the defensive perimeter strategy; support for South Korea; NSC-68
US foreign policy in Asia after 1949
CONTAINMENT
After 1949, US foreign policy in Asia was shaped by the rise of communism.
The US sought to contain the spread of communism in the region, particularly in China and Korea.
led to the US involvement in the Korean War and the establishment of military alliances such as SEATO and ANZUS.
The US also provided economic and military aid to countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to help them resist communist influence.
US aims in Japan
Considered the ‘Asian analogue to (West) Germany
US viewed Japan as an indispensable region of economic growth and a Cold War strategic asset
There was a shift on reforming and demilitarising a previous enemy state , to now facilitating its rapid economic recovery
Reverse Course - 1947
Wanted the development of firm democratic institutions and practices
an emphasis on economic reconstruction as the route by which political stability could be achieved
Contributing factors towards economic stabilisation - cleared directives from Washington sent to MacArthur
increased regulation of foreign exchange
price controls
a more efficient taxation system
a balanced budget
‘Super Balanced Budget’
Set a target of a surplus of nearly 157 million yen - Dodge’s budget ( economic adviser to SCAP) led to increased unemployment due to business closures
San - Francisco Peace Treaty , September 1951
The San Francisco Peace Treaty, signed in September 1951, officially ended World War II between Japan and the Allied Powers.
recognised Japan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also required Japan to renounce claims to certain territories, including Korea and Taiwan.
established the International Military Tribunal for the Far East to prosecute war crimes committed by Japanese officials during the war.
US Japan Security Treaty, 1951
Mutual defence agreement between the United States and Japan. It was signed in San Francisco on September 8, 1951
allows for the presence of US military forces in Japan and commits both countries to cooperate in the event of an armed attack against either party
Japan joins GATT - 1955
Strengthened Japan’s access to western trade but prevented trade with communist China
Rearmament of Japan (1952)
August 1952 - Japanese government established a force of 110,000 ground troops and 7600 maritime personnel
November 1952 - US Joint Chiefs of Staff announced plans for a Japanese air force
US policy changes in Japan after 1954
Up to 1954 - driven by the threat of communism in Korea
Rearmament created instability due to anti and pro rearmament attitudes
The US was now focused on managing rearmament in order to avoid any consequences which may lead to instability
US Foreign Policy aims in China
After the Communist Party of China took power in 1949
- the US foreign policy towards China aimed to contain the spread of communism and prevent the expansion of Soviet influence in the region.
June 1949
Chinese communist party announced its allegiance to the USSR
China White Paper, July 1949
US strategy towards China was defined in the China White Paper
Acheson was committed to supporting the KMT in Taiwan - but secretly so that the US did not appear as an ‘imperialist menace’
Attempted to justify its withdrawal from direct military support for Jiang Jeshi - this was done in order to not reinforce a Sino - Soviet alliance
Defensive Perimeter Strategy , January 1950
Acheson argued that the military defence of Japan was the responsibility of the USA and that this was to be achieved through the Defensive Perimeter
Acheson’s Defensive Perimeter was criticised for omitting Korea in the defensive cordon - the US was still committed to protecting South Korea from communist expansion.
Sino - Soviet Treaty of Friendship, 14th February 1950
Preserved the security of both sides and maintained peace in the Far East
Provided China with security guarantees and increased the scope for economic cooperation
Factors behind the review of USA’s strategic objectives (NSC 68)
USSR tests their own atomic bomb in September 1949
Truman’s ‘loss of China’ - declared independence of China
NSC 68 - 7th April 1950
Military emphasis on containment - permanent military buildup and a global application of containment
Significance :
recognition that containment is not sufficient to deal with the communist threat
Evidence that China caused the USA’s fundamental shift in Cold War Strategy
October 1949 - communist victory did not trigger the review of strategic objectives
→ June 1949 , China’s allegiance to the USSR revealed how China was not isolated from Soviet Support
China White Paper, July 1949
USA take an active stance in South East Asia
→ February 1950 , the USA abandon a quasi neutral approach to the Indo China dispute - recognise the French installed regime and provide direct military support
NSC 68 - triggered by the ‘loss of China’
→ globalisation and militarisation of containment as result of the most populous country in Asia emerging as a communist state