HPCCSS 5B English ALRAS

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ALRAS - English Section

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Common Abbreviations

Open this table to review historical abbreviations used in the HIST ALRAS section.

TypeCodeMeaning
RegionEEEastern Europe
CECentral Europe
WEWestern Europe
MEMiddle East
CountryUSSRUnion of Soviet Socialist Republics
USUnited States (of America)
BRBritain
FRFrance
SROVSocialist Republic of Vietnam
GERGermany
EGEREast Germany
WGERWest Germany
CZECzechoslovakia
DPRKDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea
ROKRepublic of Korea
PRCPeople’s Republic of China
PolicyCPContainment Policy
PoliticsPOTUSPresident of the United States
VPOTUSVice President of the United States
PMPrime Minister
KMTKuomintang
CCPChinese Communist Party
UNUnited Nations
MilitaryICBMIntercontinental ballistic missiles
MADMutual assured destruction

Cold War Notes

Review the HIST ALRAS Cold War notes table taken from the course reference file.

Characteristics of Cold War

Type Name Description
Characteristic Economic rivalry US (representative of the capitalist bloc) - Marshall Plan → aid WE → containment policy and ease communism spread

USSR (representative of the communist bloc) - Molotov Plan → aid EE

Impact - Intense hostilities
Military rivalry (forming opposing military organizations) WE - NATO

EE - Warsaw Pact
Armaments race US - (WWII) Developed atomic bombs (Hiroshima + Nagasaki)

USSR - (1949) Developed atomic bombs

Common - (1953) Developed thermonuclear weapons + intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) + built missile bases
Impact - Rise in military expenditures + great threats to world peace + intense hostilities
Space race US - (1958) Launched first satellite (Explorer 1)

USSR - (1957) Launched first satellite (Sputnik 1)

Impact - Rise in space exploration expenditures + intense hostilities
Regional conflicts (proxy wars) Definition - Not direct wars between US and USSR, but conflicts in different regions representing the two blocs

(1946-1949) Greek Civil War
(1946-1949) Chinese Civil War
(1950-1953) Korean War
(1961-1975) Vietnam War

Impact - Intense hostilities + worsened regional problems
Spying activities US - Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
USSR - Committee of State Security (KGB)

(1960) U-2 Incident
Stopping all kinds of communication Definition - Termination of trade and cultural exchanges between capitalist and communist blocs

(1980) US boycott of Moscow Olympics
(1984) USSR boycott of Los Angeles Olympics

Impact - WE and EE have no contact → intense hostilities
Rivalry in propaganda Definition - Two blocs promote their own political ideas and attacked the counterpart

(1946) Iron Curtain Speech
(1957) USSR radio announcement on successful launch of Sputnik 1

(1945-1953) Stalin Period / End of WWII

Type Year Name Description
Foreign policy 1945-1965 Containment Policy Ease the spread of communism → intense hostilities
1947 Truman Doctrine Greek Civil War → Truman requested Congress to provide USD $400M to support Turkey and Greek → ease the spread of communism → intense hostilities
Event 1946-1949 Chinese Civil War Course - US supported KMT → contain communism in Asia → KMT retreated to Taiwan → (1949) PRC established → new communist regime

Impact - US worried about communism spread to Asia → provided resources and USN 7th Fleet to KMT until KMT quit UN → containment policy
- PRC established → Sino-Soviet relationship enhanced → communist cooperation
1946 Iron Curtain Speech Background - USSR communism promotion in EE → more USSR satellite states + expansion into Turkey, Greece, Iran

Course - BR PM Winston Churchill criticized USSR for violating Yalta Conference → (March 1946) speech in US → imagined "Iron Curtain" along CE and EE to block WE communication + US should cooperate with WE to resist USSR expansions → USSR responded regimes in EE are for national safety only

Impact - Truman adopted CP against USSR → intense hostilities
1947 Marshall Plan and Molotov Plan Background - Ease communism spread

Course - Truman proposed Marshall Plan + USSR proposed Molotov Plan as a response → USSR did not allow Molotov Plan countries to trade with WE

Impact - Slower communism spread → econ rivalry → intense hostilities between two econ blocs
1948-1949 Berlin Crisis Background - Yalta Conference + Potsdam Conference → GER divided into four zones (US, BR, FR, USSR) → USSR wanted to weaken GER + US, BR, FR wanted to recover GER → US, BR, FR trizonia → protested by USSR → GER divided into WGER, EGER

Course - Allowed WGER to join Marshall Plan → USSR cut all land routes from East Berlin to WGER → USSR provided airlift to provide food, oil, daily supplies to East Berlin + BR stopped coal and steel supply to EGER + US sent B29 to BR → (1949) NATO formed → NATO Article 5 → USSR softened attitude and lifted blockade

Impact - Split GER into WGER and EGER until 1990 reunification
Led to Berlin Wall → stopping all kinds of communication
WE aligned with US to balance power → formation of NATO → military rivalry
1949 Formation of NATO Background - Berlin Crisis → US needed long-term military alliance

Course - 12 countries formed NATO to military support and resist communism

Impact - US-USSR military confrontation → military rivalry
US abandoned isolationism → started involving in international affairs
Led to Warsaw Pact + enhanced arms race → invention of nuclear weapons → might have led to end of the world
1950-1953 Korean War Background - Korea Empire was a colony of Japan → WWII Japan surrender → divided Korean Peninsula into DPRK and ROK at 38th Parallel

Course - Kim Il-sung ambition to unify Korean Peninsula → DPRK Army crossed 38th Parallel → occupied Seoul → UN troops sent led by Gen. MacArthur → DPRK retreated to near PRC border → PRC sent volunteer army → UN troops retreated → stalemate along 38th Parallel → DPRK signed cease fire

Impact - USSR attended every UN meeting → one-vote veto system → UN meetings became power struggles between USSR and US → UN not effective → use of military organizations → military rivalry
US sent 7th Fleet to protect KMT → US rearm → allowed rearm and entry to NATO of WGER → CP

(1953-1964) Khrushchev Period

Type Year Name Description
Foreign policy 1945-1965 Containment Policy Ease the spread of communism → intense hostilities
1953-1961 Eisenhower Doctrine If any ME countries get "invasion from communism", they can request econ/military assistance from US + UN is not reliable → Eisenhower requested Congress to use US Armed Forces for protecting ME when needed → CP
1961-1963 Kennedy Doctrine Supported CP → actively contained communism
Event 1955 Warsaw Pact Background - WGER entered NATO → threatened communist bloc in EE

Course - USSR established Warsaw Pact with 8 countries + established an article that is similar to NATO's article 5

Impact - Military rivalry → EE, WE split into two military camps → enhanced arms race + slower GER reunification
1959 Exchange and Paris Summit Course - VPOTUS Nixon visited Moscow → promoted US products to USSR + Khrushchev visited Washington

Impact - US, USSR, BR, FR planned Paris Summit to settle disputes peacefully (nuclear disarm + GER problems) → attempt of comms → suspended due to U2 Incident
1960 U-2 Incident Course - US spy plane shot down in Russia → Eisenhower denied intelligence activities (said plane was weather research aircraft) → USSR revealed plane and pilot found → Eisenhower admitted → USSR demanded apology → Eisenhower refused → USSR withdrew from Paris Summit

Impact - Spying activities → end of US-USSR relations improvement → worsened relationship
1961 Berlin Wall Course - US helped WGER econ → recovered rapidly + EGER econ depression → 2.1M ppl (many workers, professionals) looked for shelter in WGER → EGER ppl escaped to WGER → WE refused to withdraw from Berlin → USSR built Berlin Wall, watchtowers to prevent escape

Impact - US increase in military expenditure to support West Berlin + USSR ended nuclear test agreement → nuclear race
1961-1975 Vietnam War Background - Vietnam was occupied by Japan → WWII Japan surrender → (1954) Vietnam independence → divided into north (communist), south (capitalist) in 17th Parallel → south refused to unify → started eliminating communists in south (supported by US because Domino Theory)

Course - South resisted with US forces → US retreat → North Vietnam triumph

Impact - (1976) SROV founded (communist) + US high expenditure and massacre → TV more common in US → shown on TV → more US civilian anti-war (against CP) → internal pressure → abandon of CP
1962 Cuban Missile Crisis Background - Cuba pro-US → Castro revolution → Cuba pro-USSR → US cut diplomacy with Cuba + JFK support of Castro overthrow → Cuba became communist → closer to USSR + US concerned of national security, communism spread to Central, South America

Course - US missile bases in Turkey and Italy → USSR missile bases in Cuba to counter → JFK imposed naval blockade on Cuba → warned USSR to remove Cuba missile bases → Khrushchev, JFK agreement to remove missile bases → US lifted blockade → promised not to invade Cuba → removed missile bases in Turkey

Impact - Moscow-Washington hotline, Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty → attempts of comms → improved relations
USSR thought Khrushchev weak → USSR coup → change in leadership
USSR demanded Cuba confront → USSR demanded Cuba compromise → PRC discontent → Sino-Soviet relations worsened

(1965-1979) Detente

Type Name Description
Reason for Detente Huge cost of armaments race Development and tests of nuclear arms (ie. hydrogen bombs, ICBM, TNT) → (US) USD $14.5B to $75.4B + (USSR) USD $15.5B to $80.9B (1950-1967) → both sides wanted lessen burden + raise people's living standards → wanted restrict arms race
Fear of nuclear war USSR Sputnik capable of launching ICBM to US + US deployed strategic missile forces + Cuban Missile Crisis → MAD → both sides wanted prevent nuclear war → reduced tension to negotiate
Internal pressure Vietnam War → anti-war wave → Nixon abandoned Truman Doctrine and adopted Nixon Doctrine
USSR internal problems (ie. econ development, living standards) → wanted national construction by expanding trade and exchange in tech with West
Sino-Soviet split (1958) Khrushchev criticized PRC's Great Leap Forward + CCP opposed Khrushchev's criticism of Stalin + (1969) Zhenbao Island conflict → intense relations between PRC and USSR → reduced communist threat to US + CPC and USSR scared of isolation → both wanted better relations with US → indirect help of improving US-USSR relations
Rise of Richard Nixon (1969) Nixon became POTUS → Nixon Doctrine to reduce conflicts with USSR + nuclear umbrella → limited nuclear proliferation → SALT → reduced tension
Foreign policy Nixon Doctrine US only provided military and econ support → less intervention to allies defenses → reduced tension

Nuclear umbrella → provided nuclear protection to allies → limited nuclear proliferation + alliances stability → reduced nuclear race
Gerald Ford Doctrine
Event Signing of nuclear treaties (1963) Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
(1968) Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
→ attempts of comms
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaties (1972) SALT I signed → attempt of disarm and comms
(1979) SALT II signed → failed due to Soviet-Afghan War → regional conflicts caused no comms
Exchange visits (1972) Nixon visited Moscow
(1973) Brezhnev visited Washington
→ US agreed export oil rigs and wheat to USSR + USSR promised pressurize North Vietnam ceasefire
→ attempts of comms → reduced tension
Negotiation on German problems (1972) US, BR, FR, USSR signed Quadripartite Agreement → attempts of comms
(1973) WGER, EGER joined UN together → reduced tension between two blocs → reduced military rivalry
Helsinki Agreement NATO, Warsaw Pact met at Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) → signed Helsinki Agreement → WE recognized boundary of EE + EE promised give basic human rights to EE people → attempts of comms tension greatly relieved
Enhancing econ ties (1969) US Export Administration Act → loosened restrictions on exports to USSR + approved large-scale trade with USSR → (1970-1975) Increased US-USSR trade (USD $200M to $2B) → reduced econ rivalry + attempts of comms
Space cooperation (US) Apollo 18 and (USSR) Soyuz 19 docked in space, carried out joint experiments → end of space race + attempt of comms

(1979-1985) End of Detente

Type Year Name Description
Foreign policy 1981-1989 Reagan Doctrine Abandoned Nixon, Ford Doctrines + communism rollback → supported regions overthrow communist regimes → increased hostilities, regional conflicts

Increased military expenditure → enhanced arms race
Event 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan Course - US helped overthrow pro-Soviet regime in Afghan → USSR worried control loss → sent troops to Afghan → Persian Gulf region major oil supply → US demanded USSR withdraw → USSR refused

Impact - Failure of SALT II + Olympics boycotts + worse USSR econ → part of USSR dissolution → end of Cold War
1981 Suppression of Polish Solidarity Course - Solidarity was trade union of Poland workers → fought for rights of workers → USSR and Poland suppressed, martial law → US limited trade

Impact - gained independence → USSR suppression → worse USSR image
Reagan was POTUS → Reagan Doctrine → failure of communism rollback → tensed US-USSR relations
1983 Strategic Defense Initiative USSR stronger nuclear weapons → Reagan imposed SDI → restart of space race→ support regions overthrow communist regimes

(1985-1991) End of Cold War

Type Year Name Description
Foreign policy 1985-1991 Sinatra Doctrine Gorbachev became USSR leader
→ EE autonomy → could move away from USSR control → gained independence

Non-intervention on EE → no military force for maintain USSR influence

Support of reform in USSR (econ and political)

Hong Kong History Notes

Review the HIST ALRAS Hong Kong History notes table taken from the course reference file.

Abbreviations / Meanings

Type Code Meaning
RegionSEASoutheast Asia
CWBCauseway Bay
HKHong Kong
USUnited States
CountryUKUnited Kingdom
JPJapan
ROCRepublic of China
CNChinese
ENEnglish
BRBritain
Politics // Policies // MilitaryExCoExecutive Council
LegCoLegislative Council
PoWPrisoners of War
KMTKuomintang
GLFGreat Leap Forward
OtherR/OReform and Opening up
CNChinese

(1850~1950) Chinese Influencers in Hong Kong

Name Description
Sir Robert Bosman Hotung 何東爵士 - Eurasian race → identified himself as Chinese
- Graduated in Central College (Queens' College) (Dr. Sun's alma mater) → bilingual (CN+EN)
- 1st CN to live on the Peak
- Diverse businessman → close connection with CN reformers
Chow Shouson 周壽臣 - Studied abroad in US (Qing Dynasty period) → bilingual (CN+EN) → mediations between conflicts
- 1st CN unofficial member of ExCo
- Worked in CN railway bureau + Korea → banking business → wealthy merchant
Wu Tingfang 伍廷芳 / Ng Choy 伍才 - Graduated in St. Paul College
- 1st CN barrister + 1st unofficial LegCo member
- ROC foreign minister + Qing second class official → drafted and negotiated treaties
- Sir Kai Ho = brother-in-law
Sir Kai Ho 何啟爵士 - Educated in Central College abroad → became both lawyer and doctor + bilingual (fluent in CN+EN)
- Became unofficial member in LegCo → cannot vote
- Tried to protect CN interests // business partner with foreigners → sometimes sided with westerners
- Not accepted into CN clubs + westernized → identity = stuck in middle
- Awarded knighthood → became Sir Kai Ho
Ma Ying-piu 馬應彪 - Established 1st HK department store (Sincere Department Store)
- Family moved to Australia → learned new business model → from grocery to department store → 1st price-tagged imported department stores to HK
- Counters to serve customers → 1st store to hire women sales // rooftop = playground + 1st building to have lift
- Supported revolutionaries against Qing → helped in fundraising + supplies
Lee Leung Yik 利良奕 / Lee Hysan 利希慎 - Part of the Lee clan
- Participated in opium trading (dark history)
- Post-war HK → Jardine sold CWB to Lee family → Lee built properties in CWB → became land owner

(Pre-WWII) Hong Kong Modernization

Aspect Description
Characteristics Diversified industry: Swire dockyard (Royal Navy repair) // Whampoa dockyard (heavy industry) // sugar production // soda manufacturing (retailing)

Transportation hub: Steamships // railways (KCR) // aviation (Kai Tak Airport)

Western education: Originally CN+EN → system changed to EN+science+math → tertiary education (HKU)

Business branches: Stores like Sincere had different branches (HK // Shanghai branches)
Factors Excellent geographical location: HK near South China Sea and Western Pacific Ocean → easy access to mainland and Pacific region → became trading hub // deep-water harbor

Free port policy: UK declared HK free trading port → ships from any countries could enter // no taxes for entering // no tariffs for any imported goods

Comprehensive infrastructure: Warehouse and piers near Victoria Harbor // Taikoo and Whampoa dockyards // Transportation: KCR + Kai Tak Airport

Sufficient capital: Chartered Bank + HK Shanghai Banking → provided loans + financing + insurances + trades + investments → capital for entrepot trade
Contributions to Asia Spread of business: HK introduced first dept store → spread to SEA // Nam Pak Hong branches in mainland China + SEA → conduct trade of Nam Pak products + remittance
Jardine Matheson → conduct trade between HK and SEA

Revolutionary base: Ma Ying-piu donated money to Dr Sun → 1911 revolution → overthrow Qing dynasty → establish republic → promoted democracy / equality
Provided shelters for reformers (educated in HK // western education → democratic ideas)

Gender equality: Women's employment → first to hire women workers (fashion show // cosmetician)
Western education of women: central college / QC // Ying Wah Girl's School // Bellio's Public School → founding of HKU → foster education of talents → contributed to development of PRC

Freedom of religion: Promoted Christianity to HK // neighbouring regions through business

Imperial Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong

Ruling Description
Military rule Martial law + no separation of powers representation → rule by violence // terror → executions + interment camps
Indirect rule Use CN to govern CN / foreigner PoW → used as bargaining chips during war
Governor Description
Sir Mark Young 楊慕琦爵士 Defeated by JP → low reputation / unpopular → CN did not respect him
Young Plan Description
Description Establishment of Municipal Council for Chinese to vote → democratization // representation of CN // internal affairs → appease the CN → lessen negativity against UK colonial rule
Factors of failure Independence movements
Chiang Kai-shek assumed he would resume the role of controlling CN
President Roosevelt insisted colonialism had to end → promised Soong Mei-ling to restore HK to CN control

(Post-WWII) Economic Development of Hong Kong

Factor Reason
Internal Trade network from entrepot trade
Dockyard infrastructures // airport // railways
HK remained as a free trading port → low tax
Larger labor force → cheap wages
Tech + skills + management skills + capital + investments from Shanghai
External Embargoes → decline of entrepot → rise of HK manufacturing + light industry → textile // plastics

(Post-WWII) Success of Vitasoy

Factor Reason
Internal Tech advancement → pasteurization
Infrastructure → transportation → roads // highways // ports // railways // airport
Tech → automation // machinaries
Government promoting local brands through HKBPE
HK products were cheaper and of higher quality
Foundation from entrepot trade → network + infrastructures
Government policies → positive non-intervention → low tax rate + free foreign exchange → foreign direct investment
Trade organizations → HKTDC + HKPC
Polytechnic College → skilled labor
Rising of middle class → consumerism
Expansion in Asia outside of HK
Decline of entrepot trade → US + UN embargoes against PRC during Korean War
Began to manufacture + export local products overseas
Labor → mainland refugees from PRC → low cost // skilled labor
Brought capital + tech + management skills
Few competitions in Asia

(Post-1970s) Economic Restructuring of Hong Kong

Revival of entrepot trade Reason
Internal Factories relocated to mainland → R/O → lower production cost
HK lacked raw materials → less competitive compared to SEA / mainland
Revival of entrepot → low tariffs + deep sea port → largest container terminal
Improved relation between PRC and the west → trade through HK
End of embargoes
HK's role → regional headquarters // investing through HK into mainland
Evolving into knowledge-based and high-value industry Reason
Internal Shortage of labor → aging pop // compared to region
Compulsory education + tertiary education → 8 universities by 2000 + vocational → knowledge
Technology → octopus cards → touchless payments
Lacked government support for manufacturing industry
Protectionism → increase in tariffs + quotas for foreign goods → increased cost of HK-made products → lower competitiveness
Rise of Asian countries → 4 little dragons (SK, TW, SG, JP)
Rise of finance and service sectors Reason
Internal Professionals → level of education → attracting foreign talents
Legal system compatible with western countries
Infrastructure → airport (city centre) // ports // terminals // railway
Low tax rate // monetary stability → linked // pegged with USD 7.76~7.78
Geographical location → coastal + close to mainland (SZ + DG) // located in Asia → formed 24 hours financial service in HK → invest in different countries
/

(Post-WWII) Hong Kong Relations

Aspect Time period Role
Political Before WWII Revolutionary base → overthrow Qing
Promote equality + rights + freedom of Chinese → people do labor strikes
Support war efforts against JP → Dongjiang Columns
After WWII Aid provider during disasters (GLF)
Refuge for Chinese people (GLF // civil war // cultural revolution)
Patriotic movement protecting CN sovereignty (Diaoyu Island)
Economic Before WWII Major entrepot trading partner → connecting CN to the world
Remittance → sending money back to hometown
After WWII Partner for rapid economic development (RAD) → HK investing in mainland
Revival of entrepot trade
Social Before WWII Refuge (civil war // natural disasters // coolies)
Education provider → for reformers/revolutionaries/Qing/ROC officials
After WWII Aid provider during disasters
CN's role → necessities provider to HK (dongjiang water // food)
Aspect Time period Role
Political Before WWII Introduce western idea to CN → democracy // freedom // rights
After WWII Introducing capitalist // market economy to China after R/O
Economic Before WWII Entrepot trading partner to SEA countries (Sincere // NPH)
After WWII Manufacturing products exporter to SEA countries (made in HK) (Vitasoy)
Financial center (regional) → major investor to SEA
Employment provider → domestic helpers → 150~180000 → remittance back to SEA
Social Before WWII /
After WWII Refuge for CN, Vietnamese "boat people" → Vietnam War 1970s
Cultural exporter → HK movies (Bruce Lee // Jacky Chan // TVB) + music (Canto-pop)
Cultural facilitators → helped spread JP culture to the region

Japan History Notes

(1900 ~ 2000) Japan History Notes

Abbreviations / Meanings

Type Code Meaning
RegionSEASoutheast Asia
HKHong Kong
USUnited States
UKUnited Kingdom
CountryJPJapan
ROCRepublic of China
CNChinese
ENEnglish
GERGermany
USSRUnion of Soviet Socialist Republics
Politics // Policies // MilitaryIJAImperial Japanese Army
SCAPSupreme Commander of the Allied Powers
LDPLiberal Democratic Party
OPECOrganization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
VERVoluntary Export Restraints
VIEVoluntary Import Expansions
MOSSMarket-Oriented Sector-Selective
MITIMinistry of International Trade and Industry
GATTGeneral Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
OtherCNChinese
ENEnglish

(Early 20th Century) Political Condition

Aspect Details
Centralized Power Genro (elder council) held multiple cabinet positions → appoint / choose prime minister + issue edict + advise (control) the emperor + choose which laws to pass
Advantages Efficiency → powerful families stabilize JP as a whole
Disadvantages Lack of representation // Power concentrated in the hands of a few people // Party politics not effective

(Early 20th Century) Military Condition

Aspect Details
Stability Military not controlled by elected officials // Continuous increase of military expenditure → expansionist policy
Example: (1913) Constitution Protection Movement Army and Navy ministers demanded increasing expenditures → forced the cabinet to dissolve by resigning until demands were met // Constitution protection movement → against the emperor forcing to form a cabinet → violated constitution / democracy // Military dominated political scenes → weak party politics / democratic process → rising demands for democracy
Characteristics of Militarism Superiority Thoughts → Extreme nationalism → foreign expansions // genocide // racial superiority → supporters = ultranationalists // Japanese Self-identification → Yamato race → view themselves as more superior than other Asians → able to defeat western powers → avoid being colonized → destined to lead Asia against the west → by colonizing Asian countries → ultra nationalists + groups → foreign expansion // Seppuku → Absolute loyalty and obedience → prevent being captured / tortured → not release information to enemy → seppuku ritual / ceremony

(Early 20th Century) Economic Conditions

Aspect Details
Change of Mining Industry Rapid industrialization → coal + steel → heavy industry → convict / forced paid labor → exploitation
Light (Textile) Industry Conditions: Widespread exploitation against women and children → low wages + harsh working environment + work hazards + diseases // Children = assets for factories → expendable → long working hours + paid 1 sen // Children → obedient + without fear of danger // Modernization: Use of machines // mass production // division of labor // assembly line → higher efficiency / productivity → 24 hours production + wage labor
Actions on Natural Resources Inadequate natural resources → foreign expansion → colonies → targeted Korean peninsula / Manchuria / SEA
JP Industrial Development Increased: Textile: from 152 to 416 from 1912~1938 → 3 times
Zaibatsu Mitsubishi // mitsui // sumitomo // Yasuda → promoted industrialization → monopolize → many industries → horizontal + vertical integration → government relied on zaibatsu → increased influence → collusion / corruption → supported militarism // Positive: Promoted industrialization → have capital + labor + raw materials // Negative: Unequal distribution of wealth → collusion / corruption + not a supporter for democracy
WWI 1914 ~ 1918 → increasing econ development → WWI Europe was destroyed → needed supplies and products from JP → econ peaked around WWI
Post-WWI JP econ stagnation → Europe econ recovery → JP econ sharp decline after WWI → worst during Great Depression → 80% decline of banks
1930s Gradual increase of military burden → 6% in 1920 to 23% in 1938 → war bonds in postal office / banks → civilian loan money to country → return with interest after X years

(Early 20th Century) Social Conditions

Aspect Details
Freedom / Human Rights Limited freedom → freedom with conditions → cannot against emperor // against law // must respect conditions // customs // emperor
Education Modernization: Subject / topic = based on western products / invention // Learning English language // Increasing primary students → 800000 in 1900 to 1.2 million in 1907 // Traditional: Filial piety toward parents / elders // Respect constitution / laws / order // Patriotic / sacrifice for JP / emperor
(1918) Rice Riot Government bought rice from farmers at low prices → support military expansion + overseas troops → discontent against party politicians → support militarists → foreign expansion → resolve socio-econ problems
Food and Cuisines Modernization: Hairstyle → cut off queue / ponytail / bun // Food / drink / diet → utensils / omurice / pasta / hamburg steak

(Early 20th Century) Diplomatic Conditions

Aspect Details
(1894-1895) Sino-Japanese War Message: Japan being perceived as weaker than China has defeated China in the Sino-Japanese War // Clue: Samurai
International Status Achieved: Invited to draft the Treaty of Versailles // Colonized Korean peninsula after Russo-Japanese War // Joining anti-communist alliance with US, Fr, UK // Not achieved: Racial discrimination by the US → immigration act // League of Nations → JP must return // Manchuria to China → illegal invasion

(Early 20th Century ~ Pre-WWII) Factors Leading to Militarism

Factor Details
Military Longstanding military tradition
JP Imperial Reserve Association → 2 million members throughout JP → use reserve association to influence general public on their perspective of war / foreign expansion → justify and support war
226 / 515 coup → more support to militarism to have political stability → avoid criticizing militarists → avoid being targeted as political enemy → solidifying militarist rule → extreme nationalism / patriotism
Army / navy minister can resign → dissolve cabinet until increase military expenditure → government dominated by the military
Political Loyalty towards the emperor of JP → not to take any political sides → remain neutral
Hideki Tojo formed cabinet → centralized power → militarists
Weak emperor (Taisho Period) → increasing militarist influence → militarists and party politicians fought each other for power → unstable government / cabinet → paralyzing government
Increasing collusion and corruption among party politicians → social discontent → people supported militarism → 15000 cases cheating in elections → disregard public interest → bribery (building schools / bridges / roads to gain votes)
(External) Washington Conference → fixed ratio of tonnage in navy (UK:US:JP = 5:5:3) → JP has less tonnage → JP felt 60% of naval power was unfair
(Education) Expected qualities and values → moral / ethics / values → loyalty + courage + kindness
Economical JP econ declination after WWI → people supported militarism
JP had limited resources + post-WWI had econ stagnation + (1923) Great Kanto Earthquake caused 100000 deaths and 40 banks closed down + (1929) Great Depression → militarists suggested expansionists policies + colonization of Asia + war against the wealthy countries is justified
1929 → Great Depression → JP lacked natural resources → militarists suggested econ integration (colonization between JP and CN) → CN = resources // JP = capital + intelligence → exploit CN resources + labor force → JP industrialization → raw materials + markets → totalitarian states have faster econ recovery during GD → JP foreign expansion → econ growth → rapid militarization → 99% government expenditure toward military

(WWII) Japanese Participation

Aspect Details
Japan's Participation in the Axis Power Axis powers → military alliance between GER, JP, Italy in WWII // JP = anti-communist → JP tradition → spiritual leader = emperor → communism = natural enemy to government system
Japan's Foreign Expansion Northwards → Korean peninsula & Manchuria // China & industrial resources // Southwards → Shanghai / Nanjing / HK & coastal areas / ports // Westwards → SEA & natural resources / oil / rubber / food
Japan's Self-identification of its Responsibility in Asia Defend Asia against the west → colonizing Asia → under JP control → pan-asianism → JP as leader against western expansion
Japan's Slogan Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere
Japanese Invasion of Manchuria 9-18 Incident → JP invasion → claimed JP-owned railway was destroyed by CN → Lytton Report → LoN required JP withdraw from CN territories → JP withdraw from LoN

(Post-WWII) Japanese Surrender

Aspect Details
SCAP Occupation JP defeated → Emperor Hirohito surrender → occupied by SCAP government → demilitarization → Show that the Emperor is not a god // Partnership / ally for the capitalist bloc during Cold War → show equal status between US and JP
Factors Affecting Difference between JP and GER after WWII under US Occupation Start of Cold War → US needed a reliable ally in Asia to counter USSR / PRC // JP as a base for capitalist bloc + military base
Attitude of Gen. MacArthur towards JP Mixed → Friendly / respectful toward emperor → removed emperor from list of war criminals // Forced JP to follow demands / orders by US

(1950~2000s) Political Conditions

Aspect Details
Background (External Factor) Japan under pressure from SCAP → implemented a new constitution
Declarations Sovereignty rests with people (not emperor) // Emperor is a symbolic leader only → no political functions // Renunciation of war → can no longer declare war // Non-possession of military force (Article 9) → self-defense force only // Restricted JP renunciation of war // Citizens' rights and obligations // Equality among all citizens // Political participation by all // Religion freedom // Freedom in publications / movements / marriages // Protect private properties // Rule of law // Diet as the highest legislative body
Anti-monopoly Policy Demilitarization → against militarism supports during WWII → dissolve zaibatsu
Stability Before: Pre-WWII → political instability → political assassinations / military coups → resume party politics // After: Political stability → LDP dominated elections for ~40 years → militarism
Reverse Course Cold War → US government thinks SCAP policies are too socialist // Revise earlier SCAP policies // Use JP as an example to show the world that capitalism is superior
Role Changes Emperor (Before Meiji): Command military // Appoint / dismiss officials // Control diet // Sacred and inviolable
Emperor (After Surrender): Symbolic leader // No sovereign power // Can no longer control diet // no political / military power
Diet (Before): Limited authority → no decision-making power // House of peers: nobles // house of representatives: limited representation // House of peers has veto power
Diet (After): Responsible to the people and not emperor // All members elected // House of representatives have greatest power
Prime Minister and Cabinet (Before): Appointed by and responsible to the emperor
Prime Minister and Cabinet (After): Responsible to the people
Judiciary (After): Became independent → separation of powers // Rule of law
Military (Before) Military dictatorship → militarism // Controlled cabinet // Declared wars // Not controlled by Diet or Prime Minister // Direct access to emperor
Military (After): Army and navy disbanded // Small-sized military for self-defense // Mutual security pact = US stationed troops in JP
The people (Before) Only wealthy males / who pay taxes can vote // Universal male suffrage (1925) // Had little knowledge about democracy
The people (After): Universal suffrage // More freedom of speech and knowledge on democracy // Forming political parties
Privy council (Before) Advisors to the emperor // Direct access to the emperor // Appointed by emperor // More powerful than the cabinet and diet
Privy council (After) Council was dissolved: demilitarization

(1950~2000s) Economic Conditions

Category Factor Explanation
External Cold War Against USSR / PRC / DPRK → considered rearm JP as a military ally
Declaration Reduce military expenditure → reliance on US military → small-scale self-defense force → less than 1% GNP for military → resources invested in tech / econ
Treaty of San Francisco (post-war settlement for Asia pacific) → JP make reparations to allied forces → not by cash // by services / production → factories in SEA → a portion of manufactured products will be given as reparations →
- SEA reliance on JP products → JP products enter SEA markets
- Trade networks in SEA
Dodge Plan Advantage: stabilized econ + currency → set a foundation for future growth + promote export / trade
Disadvantage: Econ will slow due to government spending
Agricultural reform Poor living conditions after WWII → SCAP to support farmers / workers → improve quality of life → prevent rise of communism in JP
Against the wealthy / landlords that were militarists during WWII → demilitarization
Korean War Korean War led to econ growth in JP → special procurement from US → JP benefited from KR’s suffering / war
Internal Government policies - MITI → give direction for tech industry → focus on specific sectors (high tech) → ‘double steel production’ → direct resources
- Coordinate large companies (previously zaibatsu)
- International organizations → GATT (WTO) / IMF / OECD
- Boost export / trade // loans for development // formulate policies with other countries
- ’Income doubling plan’ within 10 years → success
- Low interest / tax rate → boost spending
- Investment in infrastructure
Production of hi-tech goods Increasing →
- Car → 1300 to 4.5 million → Toyota / Nissan / Suzuki / Honda / Mitsubishi → low fuel consumption / more efficient
- Camera → 0 to 4.5 million → Nikon / Fuji
- TV → 0 to 7.5 million → Panasonic / Toshiba / Sony
Food price Stable
- JP income doubling → lower cost of necessities → higher savings and consumer spending → increased spending on consumer products (electronics / cars)
- Increased savings
Karoshi Obedience and sacrifices → bushido towards company for econ recovery / miracle
Societal change - Wilingness to learn: Tech transfer / advancement → Toyota → new industries: auto car / semi-conductor / computer / video games / electronics / watches
- Savings / investments: Highest saving rates in the world → deposit in banks → banks to invest in JP industries → econ growth
- Unique management style: Life-time employment → wage related to seniority (years of work) → stable work environment + harmonious → like a family → less conflicts + higher efficiency
- Narrowing of urban-rural disparity: Rural → labor force surplus → too many farmers / too few land → low income + low productivity // 1970s → rural-urban migration → manufacturing / factory jobs → increase job opportunities → increase wages → labor shortage → lessen disparity
- Higher purchasing power: Three sacred treasures → television + refrigerator + washing machine → increase quality of life + entertainment + productivity of women + convenience + women employment → join labor force → changes in women’s role / empowerment
- More travelling: Number of JP people travelling abroad → increasing: 0 in 1965 to 20,000,000 in 2000 → middle class → high disposable income / expenditure → popular destination: hong kong
- Trend of JP Yen: Gradual increase of value of Yen (0.35 in 1980 to 1.2 in 2010) → higher yen → JP products more expensive → less consumers choose JP products

(1973) Japan Oil Crisis

Aspect Details
Factors Conflicts / war → oil supply decrease // OPEC countries → increase oil price → decrease supply on purpose → negotiate higher prices
Course OPEC set policies to quadruple the price of oil → panic buying (detergent / toilet tissue) → shortage of goods
Impacts Positive: Development in auto industry → higher efficiency of engines / higher mileage of cars → better than US / EU cars // 1970s → JP governments decrease interest rates → boost lending to companies → lower borrowing costs → companies expand / operate → improve economy // Before: reliance on imported fossil fuels → on crisis → negatively affect econ // After: energy sources more diversified → increase in nuclear → stabilize cost → econ development // Advanced tech: dev electronics / consumer products → alleviate oil crisis → household appliances (colored TV / washer / refrigerator) // semi-conductors (computer) → domestic + international consumption
Negative: Decline in JP oil / energy dependent industries (heavy industry): higher production costs

(1970s) Trade Disputes between US and Japan

Aspect Details
VER JP to restrict export to US + tariffs on JP products → reduce JP exports // JP products become less competitive → JP econ decline
VIE JP import US products → increase US companies → competition → JP companies are pressured
MOSS US companies enter JP market → through investments / US products

(1990s) Women's Empowerment

Aspect Details
Marriage People are marrying at a later age (edu + career) → “proper” age to marry is disappearing → less dependency on men / family → financial independence
Education Higher level of education (1955: 2.4% female senior high school graduates entered four-year university → 22.9% in 1995)
Employment More female force participation → M-shaped curve → high women employment → high employment during youth / late adult + low employment in the 30s (caretaking role)

(1950~2000s) Diplomatic Conditions

Aspect Details
Yasukuni Shrine Worshipping those who sacrificed for JP during wars → symbolizes a praise of loyalty / obedience + represents JP’s right wing / ultranationalists (a minority with huge influence on JP politics) + religious practice regardless of war debts // JP soldiers who committed war crimes → category 1 war criminals → judged by international court / UN → executed post-war → praising will negatively affect JP relations with PRC / ROK / SEA // JP government officials should not visit the shrine as a sign of respect to neighbouring countries
Comfort Women and Territory Disputes Continuous disputes about comfort women and territories between JP and PRC, ROK → compensations // Diaoyu island / Dokdo island → for national resources / natural gas / fishing rights / maritime claims / shipping routes

Vocabulary Set Challenge

A synonym set is chosen and the Chinese meaning is shown. Fill in the rest of the set with first-two-letter hints.

Set meaning:
Given word:

Website Updates

View recent updates and improvements to the Academic Learning Resources Administration System (ALRAS).

[2026/04/21] 0100 GMT+8
[+] [EN] Added Generic Vocabulary Challenge
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[2026/04/20] 0400 GMT+8
[+] [EN] Wordle feature for vocabulary with five characters
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Wordle Game

Guess the five-letter vocabulary word in 6 attempts.