The American Military's Proposition Of Far Eastern Policy And Its Influence In The Immediate Postwar Period (1945.8—1950.6)

Military and diplomatic means are the main measure in safeguarding and enhancing national interests, and the military organization performs an important function in policy-making. In making Far Eastern policy, the American military expressed its own views, and these views made important impact on forming and changing policies.After the Word War II,the pattern of the world had changed a lot, so the U.S. Government prepared to pursue a new Far Eastern policy. The military viewed China as "the anchor of Far Eastern", and claimed to assist Chiang Kai-Shek to unify China vigorously. With the situation deteriorating, it even suggested the U.S. be involved in the civil war. The military argue strongly for occupying or reserving the bases in the western Pacific, and gaining "the controlling voice" in Japan.In the early days of 1947, the America policy of mediating between the Nationalists and the Chinese Communists Party failed. U.S. started to re-examine the Far Eastern policy. The military regarded the National Government as "the bulwark of freedom" in order to resist the "expansion" of Soviet and Communism, and viewed Japan as "the workshop" to encourage the recovery of Asia. So the military maintained to assist Chiang and resist Communists, and encourage Japan to recover. In the meanwhile, from the strategic point of view, it proposed to withdraw troops in Korea.In the autumn of 1948, facing the offensive of P.L.A., the troops of Nationalists lost war once and again. The situation of China became more and more unfavorable. The U.S. had no choice but to adjust Far Eastern policy. The military opposed "getting away" from China strongly and maintain to assist the National Government again in order to delay some time. At the same time, it prepared to shift the key of Far Eastern policy to Japan. Moreover, the military realized the strategic importance of Taiwan and proposed to defend it by economic and diplomatic means.To the next autumn, the P.R.C. founded and soon after the Nationalists moved back to Taiwan. With a view to "losing China", the U.S. was pushed to the crossroads of Far Eastern policy once more. The military regarded Japan as the pillar in Far Eastern strategy, began to re-evaluate the strategic significance of Taiwan, and realized the role of Southeast Asia in containing "China-Soviet bloc". The Department of State and other organization did not agree the proposition of the military, but these opinions still made important impact on forming and changing policies.It is from the military or strategic point of view that the military advanced proposition. In view that the military element be related to national security, theses views could not be neglected, even performed a decisive function sometimes. But the military opinions are not overall after all. It should be submitted to political opinions and only President had the power of determining. So the influence of the military was limited.