Friday, December 9, 2011

How did America’s desire to make Japan an ally lead to the ANZUS Treaty?

Australia and New Zealand were very concerned about defense and security after World War II.  Communism was 'winning' in many countries of East Asia.  The United States seemed to focus on securing Europe and West Germany more than it was with interests in the Pacific.  Japan, in the eyes of Australia and New Zealand, was a threat to their interests and security.  The island nation of Japan had previously launched a campaign of aggression in the region and had bombed Australia.  For this reason, Australia and New Zealand were not completely in agreement with the conciliatory tone being presented by the United States towards Japan.  The United States, on the other hand, saw Japan as a potential ally in the fight against communism in the East and wanted to rebuild it with a Western-style government and economy.  To ease the fears of Australia and New Zealand after the United States ended its occupation of Japan in 1952, formal talks were held to establish a security alliance between the three countries.  

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