In every meaningful way, the winners of WW2 were soviet Russia and communist China. Both acquired vast territory and legitimacy. The allies? Had almost as much as they started with.
And the Japanese idea to actually free Asia from colonialism? No, we will give Asia to Mao instead. Fortunately MacArthur was a very wise man (in this case) and found a way to make allies of the Japanese. Start of this was very similar to the Orange Man walking into North Korea. MacArthur respected the Japanese and went without guards to shake hands with the opposing generals as equals. This respect is the foundation of US/Japan being friends now.
The growth of our friendship with Japan really did defy all odds. I think you're absolutely right: it was all thanks to MacArthur. My dad has told me for 30 years MacArthur wanted to fight the Soviets at the end of the war; he knew what they truly desired for the world.
In every meaningful way, the winners of WW2 were soviet Russia and communist China. Both acquired vast territory and legitimacy. The allies? Had almost as much as they started with.
And the Japanese idea to actually free Asia from colonialism? No, we will give Asia to Mao instead. Fortunately MacArthur was a very wise man (in this case) and found a way to make allies of the Japanese. Start of this was very similar to the Orange Man walking into North Korea. MacArthur respected the Japanese and went without guards to shake hands with the opposing generals as equals. This respect is the foundation of US/Japan being friends now.
The growth of our friendship with Japan really did defy all odds. I think you're absolutely right: it was all thanks to MacArthur. My dad has told me for 30 years MacArthur wanted to fight the Soviets at the end of the war; he knew what they truly desired for the world.