MacArthur

Question 1

How would you answer “Is significant but peripheral” contradictory?

Answer 1

1. Take a moment to think and remember
2. Outline that it is not
   The context for his significance and his overall impact on retention are different
3. Significant through a social lens
   - explain why
4. Peripheral in terms of his impact of policy
   - Predetermined, not heavily involved in the constitution
5. Finish and explain that he was important in terms of public perception but this was a more nominal impact upon policy making

Question 2

Peripheral: The retention of Hirohito was predetermined

Answer 2

As early as 1941, following Pearl harbour, US officials discuss the retention question

1943, The Department Advisory Committee on Postwar Foreign Policy determines there is nothing to be gained from abolishing the emperor

1945 Japanese and Asian context: U.S wanted to maintain influence over Asia to protect western influence against Communism

General Fellers wrote: “to try him as a war criminal would not only be blasphemous but a denial of spiritual freedom”

Basically, if the emperor was tried the government structure would collapse and a general uprising would be inevitable (1 million troops need deployment)

Anti emperor sentiment in Japan is led by the Communist party, abolishing the emperor system would take on uncomfortable political connotations

U.S home opinion did not matter, retention was predetermined

Question 3

Peripheral: Not involved in the constitution

Answer 3

MacArthur was not deeply involved within the draft constitution
- He submitted 3 vague principles which had to be drafted:
1.Emperor head of the state
2. War no longer sovereign right of the state
3. feudal system of Japan to be abolished

U.S interest and are not novel concepts of MacArthur

In reality a board of 24 individuals (16 officers and 8 civilians- including 4 women) drafted the constitution

Question 4

Significant: Pictures

Answer 4

September 1945 Hirohito visits GHQ for the first time (3 photos taken but only one published)

Depicted:
MacArthur on the left (much taller, informal, military dress, collar undone)
Hirohito on the right( formal western morning dress)

Impact: Seized upon by the media as a New York Times “a painful realization of defeat”
- Humanized the emperor (contrast to pre war photo 1928, alone, stern and in traditional Sokutai regalia)
- Mad clear that MacArthur would stand by the emperor

Eliminated aura of divine status and fostered a relationship between the pair
- MacArthur speaks highly of Hirohito and so does Hirohito to MacArthur

Question 5

Significant: Social image for Japanese

Answer 5

Largely held in cult like image
- received 441k letters of praise throughout the occupation

Included
- One letter in 1948 of a man writing to see if MacArthur would fish with him
- Other gifts sent included the skin and antlers of a deer as a gift for inducing democratic spirit

Altar Emperor
- Hirohito epitomised empire, Shintoism and traditional feudal values
- MacArthur embodied (perceived to) democracy, westernization and freedom