Chapter Notes 21-1 (East Asia Today) China’s Government and Society

1. Chapter Notes 21-1 (East Asia Today) • China’s Government and Society • The Chinese Communist Party controls the government. • Leaders are not elected, they gain control through their party. • The government keeps tight control of the people and denies human rights. • In 1989, 100,000 students protested peacefully at Tiananmen Square which were met w/force by the government. • In 1950, China took over Tibet forcing its Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama to flee to India. • 65% of China’s people live in rural areas, though many are migrating to the cities.

2. Economic Changes in China • The government made “free market” reforms which people choose their jobs and keep the profits. • It is the leader in producing rice, tea, wheat, and potatoes. • China’s Neighbors – Mongolia and Taiwan have close ties. • Taiwan is an island that was once a province of China that is still under China’s rule today. It has moved to a democracy. • Mongolia is a landlocked country nicknamed “Texas of Asia” because of its herding. In 1990, it replaced its communist system.

3. Chapter Notes 21-2 (Japan) • Japan’s Government and Economy • It’s a constitutional monarchy w/the emperor as the head of state. • Voters elect members to legislature called the Diet, led by the prime minister. • An industrial giant, its economy is based on exports. (cars, ships, and electronics) It has to import its raw materials. • Farmland being very limited, they practice intensive agriculture. • Government passed laws making it difficult for other countries to sell their products in Japan. • Economic competitors, aging population, low birthrate, acid rain, and earthquakes (Ring of Fire) are challenges Japan faces today.

4. Life in Japan – much is covered with mountains (80%). • It has many islands w/ the 4 largest being Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. • Most live in cities on coastal plains. (35 million live in Tokyo) • The 2 main religions are Shinto (nature) and Buddhism. • Japanese traditional art includes No, Kabuki, and Bunraku.

5. Chapter Notes 21-3 (The Koreas) • A Divided Country - The culture has been influenced by China. • It created a form if writing called hangul that allow them to unify. • South Korea – had to rebuild its economy after the Korean War. • It introduced land reform, making farms more productive. • It became an industrial country improving their standard of life. • Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism are its major religions. • III. North Korea – Government controls all areas of life. • A. N. Korea is economically poor and invests most into its military. • N. Korean farms lack land and are controlled by the government. • The government refuses food aid and as a result people are starving to death.

6. Why The A-Bomb Was Dropped

7. Why The A-Bomb Was Dropped Why Truman used it? • Millions of American lives would be saved • Pearl Harbor • Demonstrate its power to the world • Speedy end to the war • Part of total war • Japan’s leaders refusal to surrender • Did not want the Russians to enter the war Why not to use it? • Killing innocent victims without warning • Bombings as war crimes (Holocaust) • Modify the “unconditional surrender” • Wait for the Russians to enter the war • Beginning of an “arms race” • Militarily unnecessary