strengthening of democratic tendencies among the Japanese people” were also to be enacted. At the head of this revolution, as spelled out in Potsdam, was Douglas MacArthur. General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Power (otherwise known as SCAP), from day one became, except in name, dictator of Japan. No aspect of the Japanese nation was untouched, with special attention directed to the areas military, government, and the economy. While most revolutions throughout history have emanated from below, starting from the people, the social and political changes forthcoming was truly a “revolution from above.” Within a month of landing numerous measures were enacted, either to dissolve existing laws or to create new ones. The “thought police” of the Home Ministry was done away with, as was the Peace Preservation Law of 1925, in which thousands of government critics were imprisoned. Purges of militaristic, high ranking officials occurred, as was the ban on restriction of assembly and speech. Yet, while political change happened with lightning like swiftness, social change was much slower.Upon arriving to the mainland of Japan, many of the American occupation were stunned at the utter devastation that the Japanese had endured. It was a testament to both the bravery and spirit of their armies, as well as the foolishness of their leaders, that they were able to endure the war as long as they had. Having put most of their economic resources to the war movement, much of the civilian population was left in near famine. With the armies throughout the Pacific being repatriated on a daily basis (although many wouldn’t return for year) the conditions became even worse. Despair and hunger set into the populace that was described as the “kyodatsu condition.” With their colonies in Asia no longer in direct control, much of their food supply imports were cut off. Japan had ...
