IB History - Effects of WW2 (Asia)

How long was Japan occupied by the USA, and what reparations did it provide?

How long was Japan occupied by the USA, and what reparations did it provide?

• Japan was occupied for 7 years by the USA.

• Provided reparations to territories it occupied from 1941-45.

What territorial control did Russia gain in 1945?

Took control over Manchuria and provided access to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party).

What were the political outcomes in China after WWII?

• CCP took control of China, forming the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949.

• Nationalists set up a government in Taiwan.

• PRC gained a UN seat in 1971.

How was Korea divided after WWII?

• Split along the 38th parallel by the UN.

• A demilitarized zone was established after 1953.

What were the causes of decolonization in Southeast Asia?

• Weakness of Britain and France post-war.

• Nationalist movements like Ho Chi Minh's in Vietnam gained strength.

• Condemnation of imperialism by the USA and UN weakened the moral argument for empires.

Name examples of decolonization in Southeast Asia.

Philippines (1947)

Indonesia (1949)

Malaysia (1963)

Vietnam (1975)

Hong Kong (1997)

What treaty marked the end of US occupation of Japan?

• Treaty of San Francisco (Sept 1951).

• Linked Japan to the USA militarily and economically through the Security Treaty (1952).

What were the successes and failures of the UN in peacekeeping?

• Successes: Decolonization, ending the Korean War (1950-53), resolving the Suez Crisis (1956).

• Failures: Conflicts like Kashmir, Palestine, Rwanda (1994), and Iraq (2001).

  • UN division led to the Korean War (1950-53).

  • Vietnam: UN Security Council voted against involvement during the war.

What were the key contributions of the UN Charter post-WWII?

• Established the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

• Established the Economic and Social Council and the Food Commission.

How were Japanese leaders held accountable after WWII?

• 28 leaders tried in Tokyo.

• 6 executed (e.g., Tojo and Hirota), 18 given life terms, and others died pre-trial.

What territorial losses did Japan face after WWII?

Lost all colonial gains and occupied territories.

What were the US military casualties in WWII?

100,000 soldiers killed and 250,000 wounded.

What were Japan’s military and civilian casualties?

1.7 million soldiers killed, 4.5 million injured, and 1 million civilians killed.

How did US women contribute to WWII?

Over 300,000 served in military services like:

• WASPS (Women Airforce Service Pilots).

• WAC (Women’s Army Corps).

• WAVES (Women’s Naval Reserve).

How did Japanese women contribute to the war effort?

Worked in the volunteer labor corps starting in 1943.

How did the US economy emerge after WWII?

Became strong, stepping into global conflicts as a Cold War superpower.

What economic organizations were created after WWII?

• IMF (International Monetary Fund) in 1944.

• World Bank in 1945.

What economic challenges did Japan face post-war?

Mass unemployment, price inflation, and hunger.

How did Japan recover economically by 1952?

Stabilized due to US economic deals and the Security Treaty (1952), which facilitated growth.