American Occupation of Japan: The Orgins of the Cold War in Asia (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780195051902)

In this novel and intriguing book, Michael Schaller traces the origins of the Cold War in Asia to the postwar occupation of Japan by U.S. troops. Determined to secure Japan as a bulwark against both Soviet expansion and Asian revolution, the U.S. instituted ambitious social and economic reforms under the direction of the flamboyant Occupation Commander, General Douglas MacArthur. MacArthur was later denounced by the Truman Administration as a "bunko artist" who had wrecked Japan's economy and opened it to Communist influence, and power was shifted to Japan's old elite. Cut off from its former trading partners, which were now all Communist-controlled, Japan, with U.S. backing, turned its attention to the rich but unstable Southeast Asian states. The stage was thus set for U.S. intervention in China, Korea, and Vietnam.

Author: Michael Schaller
ISBN-10: 0195051904
ISBN-13: 9780195051902
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Language: English
Published: 10/22/1987
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.33lbs
Size: 8.92h x 6.10w x 0.91d