The Ryukyus University Project From The Perspective Of Cold War (1951-1968)

After World War II,the United States began a 27-year trusteeship over the Ryukyu Islands.For its own strategic consideration and to show the so-called democratic politics and cultural education of the United States to the outside world,the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands began the reconstruction of Okinawa education,including Ryukyus University Project.The United States chose Michigan State University as the aid provider.The aid plan includes infrastructure construction,book donation,subject setting,teacher dispatch and other activities.During the time span from1951 to 1968,they finally built the University of the Ryukyus to be a scientific research and cultural center in Okinawa,which played an important role in post-Okinawa social reconstruction and human resources development.At the same time,however,for the purpose of cultural export during the Cold War,the United States tried to use the University of the Ryukyu as a base for cultivating pro-American and anti-communist talents,which not only caused friction between the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands and Michigan State University,but also intensified the conflict between the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands and the students of the University of the Ryukyus.With the U.S.decision to "return" Okinawa to Japan,in1968 Ryukyus University Project came to an end.This 18-year educational aid project is an academic guidance project led by the U.S.military.It transplanted the American higher education model and promoted the establishment of Okinawa higher education system.It is an important window for the U.S.to export its culture and values in Okinawa during the Cold War.However,the undemocratic practices of the United States led to the dissatisfaction of Ryukyu teachers and students,and the University of the Ryukyus instead became the vanguard of Okinawa’s anti-American struggle.