The Widening of the Cold War 1949-1955 PART 1

The Widening of the Cold War 1949-1955 PART 1

1. US containment in action in Asia

   • KEY DATES
     • 1949-Aug: The USSR tests its first nuclear weapon
       • 1949-Sept: Truman approves NSC-68
         • 1950-Jan: The idea of a strategic perimeter is suggested
           • 1950-Feb: China forms a military alliance with the USSR
             • 1950- April: NSC-68 is presented
               • 1950-Nov: China joins North Korea in its war against South Korea
                 • 1951-Sept: The San Francisco Peace Treaty between the USA and Japan is signed
                   • 1953-Jan: Eisenhower becomes US president

2. The reconstruction of post-war Japan

   • 1947- USA introduces the 'reverse course' towards Japan
     • This policy showed that the US wanted to develop and instigate democratic institutions and practices into Japan instead of punishing them for the war
       • This sparked the USA's influence in Asia
       • The USA targeted communists and their sympathisers rather than suspected war criminals in Japan (tried to remove communism)
         • Economic Stabilisation was important in Japan for the US, the US achieved this by
           • Increasing Trade and foreign exchange Regulation
           • Price and Wage controls
           • Efficient taxing and a balanced budget
           • Stricter lending criteria
           • This was created by Detroit banker Joseph Dodge.
             • (economic adviser to SCAP and responsible for the plan)
           • Sadly led to unemployment due to business closures
           • Japan then joined GATT which strengthened their trade with the west
             • (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade)
             • GATT was made by the UN at the end of WW2. Managed international trade and minimised tariffs and duties to maximise trade

3. US/Japanese relations

   • in February 1950, Mao Zedong (Communist China's leader) formed a military alliance with the USSr. In November, China joined North Korea in the war against the south
     • Led to a worldwide containment of communism for the USA and meant that they had to commit to supporting various countries around the world. (working like a global policemen even though that was the UN's job)
       • Suddenly Japan became crucial for the USA's containment of communism in the East. This led to Japan's Prime MInister and Dulles signing a treaty that would provide security for Japan

4. San Francisco Peace Treaty, September 1951

   • The Treaty Didn't:
     • Place restrictions on Japan's economy
       • Place significant restrictions on its future political model
         • Impose reparation payments for the states owned by Japan
           • NSC-68
             • In September 1949, the USSR tested its own atomic bomb.
               • Triggered a fundamental review of the USA's strategic objectives and priorities
                 • Basically made the USA increase its power (more testing of atomic bombs and stuff)
                   • Led to military emphasis on the application of containment.
     • Identify Japan's responsibility for the war
       • Restrict Japan's future rearmament
   • The Treaty Did:
     • recognise the full sovereignty of the Japanese people
       • Force Japan to renounce any claims of neighbouring territories
         • USA to have unrestricted use of Military bases in Japan
           • US received Control of Owkinawa
             • The US were allowed to use military force during any disorder in Japan
               • The right to reject Japan offering military bases to other states

5. Japan's rearmament

   • Japan trained a 75,000 strong national police reserve to be trained by the US military (for defence)
     • By August 1952, the Japanese government established a force of 110,000 ground troops and 7600 maritime personal known as the NSA (National Safety Agency)
       • Eisenhower increased the Japanese ground force and invested $240 million into Japan
       • This was caused by the US' fear of communism in Korea
         • The USA aimed at avoiding any consequences that could lead to instability
           • USA's support for Jiang Jieshi and policy towards China and Taiwan
             • 1949- Jiang Jieshi's nationalist force's(KMT) loss during the Chinese Civil War seemed inevitable
               • Mao considered US intervention but realised that it wouldn't happen due to their interest in Asia
                 • In June 1949, the Chinese Communist Party announced its allegiance to the USSR
                   • The USA's strategy towards China was defined in the China White Paper in July 1949.
                     • Dean G. Acheson (George Marshall's successor as Secretary of State, was committed to supporting the KMT in Taiwan. This was done secretly in order to not alert China.
                       • Acheson wanted the USA to do nothing that might reinforce a Sino-Soviet alliance. Supporting the nationalists in Taiwan was a means to end the CCP
                         • The Defensive Perimeter Strategy
                           • Acheson tried to move the USA's policies towards the Far East's military security of the pacific in the earl 1950's.
                             • He argued the military defence of Japan was the responsibility of the USA
                               • This was achieved in the 'defensive perimeter' which was defined in January 1950 in advance of the sino-soviet treaty.
                                 • Acheson's Defensive Perimeter Strategy was criticised for omitting Korea in the defensive cordon.