What was America's GREATEST non-military success in the 20th century?

[K9Buck]

I qualified it as "non-military" because it would be hard to argue that anything America did was "greater" than winning the second world war.

My answer is - Japan.

Japan had been, seemingly forever, a war-like nation under a feudal system where women had less rights than dogs. We wrote a constitution for them and gave their women the right to vote. There was some controversy about that but MacArthur demanded that it be included because he said that women would reject war if given a say. MacArthur also and wisely declined to prosecute their emperor for war crimes. In reality, it was a no-brainer as he was a virtual god to the Japanese people. It would have been a blood bath.

Off the top of my head, I don't think Japan really came into their own until the 70's but, when they did, they exploded. Also, they've remained war-free for nearly 75 years now. They're a strong democracy and ally and a great counter against China, Russia and North Korea should war ever break out.

In my mind, transitioning Japan from what they were to what they are is America's greatest non-military success of the 20th century.

For those interested, the following book is a GREAT listen. It deals with how MacArthur and team both revolutionized and pacified the Japanese people.

 

[Tommy Tainant]

Rock and Roll.

 

[Gdjjr]

I agree with your points, but, they were defeated by the Military.

 

[Syriusly]

I qualified it as "non-military" because it would be hard to argue that anything America did was "greater" than winning the second world war.

My answer is - Japan.

Japan had been, seemingly forever, a war-like nation under a feudal system where women had less rights than dogs. We wrote a constitution for them and gave their women the right to vote. There was some controversy about that but MacArthur demanded that it be included because he said that women would reject war if given a say. MacArthur also and wisely declined to prosecute their emperor for war crimes. In reality, it was a no-brainer as he was a virtual god to the Japanese people. It would have been a blood bath.

Off the top of my head, I don't think Japan really came into their own until the 70's but, when they did, they exploded. Also, they've remained war-free for nearly 75 years now. They're a strong democracy and ally and a great counter against China, Russia and North Korea should war ever break out.

In my mind, transitioning Japan from what they were to what they are is America's greatest non-military success of the 20th century.

For those interested, the following book is a GREAT listen. It deals with how MacArthur and team both revolutionized and pacified the Japanese people.

I think you may be absolutely correct. Good analysis.
MacArthur could have really screwed up Japan but he did a good job there, and I think Japan is a great example of the U.S. doing a great job at something.

 

[Syriusly]

I agree with your points, but, they were defeated by the Military.

You missed the point.

Germany was defeated by the military in WW1, but the aftermath of that peace set up WW2. Likewise, American military easily defeated Saddam's forces in Iraq, but we had not planned well for the victory and Iraq got rather screwed over.

Japan we got the peace right. Whether it was because of McArthur, American policy or Truman- in the end it was done right.

 

[K9Buck]

I agree with your points, but, they were defeated by the Military.

We also crushed the Iraqi military. How did the subsequent occupation turn out?

 

[Gdjjr]

I agree with your points, but, they were defeated by the Military.

You missed the point.

Germany was defeated by the military in WW1, but the aftermath of that peace set up WW2. Likewise, American military easily defeated Saddam's forces in Iraq, but we had not planned well for the victory and Iraq got rather screwed over.

Japan we got the peace right. Whether it was because of McArthur, American policy or Truman- in the end it was done right.

Actually, if you read what I actually wrote vs what you want to argue about, I clearly said (copy and paste exact words) I agree with your points,

 

[Flash]

We actually defeated the Soviets with our economy rather than our military.

Capitalism won out over Socialism. Great victory.

However, the OPs point about turning Japan around is a great one. Goes hand in hand on how we also saved Europe from the economic destruction of WWII. Building up the economy of South Korea is included.

Then there was going to the Moon with slide rules and toggle switches.

 

[MarathonMike]

When a private citizen rose up and smote the evil Ice Queen, saving America from an endless Winter of Doom and Despair.

 

[Flash]

When a private citizen rose up and smote the evil Ice Queen, saving America from an endless Winter of Doom and Despair.

Greatest American victory since Yorktown!

 

[fncceo]

I qualified it as "non-military" because it would be hard to argue that anything America did was "greater" than winning the second world war.

My answer is - Japan.

Japan had been, seemingly forever, a war-like nation under a feudal system where women had less rights than dogs. We wrote a constitution for them and gave their women the right to vote. There was some controversy about that but MacArthur demanded that it be included because he said that women would reject war if given a say. MacArthur also and wisely declined to prosecute their emperor for war crimes. In reality, it was a no-brainer as he was a virtual god to the Japanese people. It would have been a blood bath.

Off the top of my head, I don't think Japan really came into their own until the 70's but, when they did, they exploded. Also, they've remained war-free for nearly 75 years now. They're a strong democracy and ally and a great counter against China, Russia and North Korea should war ever break out.

In my mind, transitioning Japan from what they were to what they are is America's greatest non-military success of the 20th century.

For those interested, the following book is a GREAT listen. It deals with how MacArthur and team both revolutionized and pacified the Japanese people.

Only possible because of the application of two, very small, nuclear weapons.

 

[petro]

I agree with your points, but, they were defeated by the Military.

We also crushed the Iraqi military. How did the subsequent occupation turn out?

Paul Bremmer screwed that up by disbanding the entire Iraqi military without weeding out the Saddam supporters, putting all those members of the military out on the street with no income.
Coaltion Provisional Authority Order 2. Many who then turned against us.
The police had no chance controlling the weeks of looting and destruction of historic museums and national treasures without a national military to back them up. We allowed a complete breakdown into anarchy.
Doesn't erase that Saddam was in violation of numerous UN
resolutions and a general POS that brutalized his own population.

Coalition Provisional Authority Order 2 - Wikipedia

 

[Flash]

I qualified it as "non-military" because it would be hard to argue that anything America did was "greater" than winning the second world war.

My answer is - Japan.

Japan had been, seemingly forever, a war-like nation under a feudal system where women had less rights than dogs. We wrote a constitution for them and gave their women the right to vote. There was some controversy about that but MacArthur demanded that it be included because he said that women would reject war if given a say. MacArthur also and wisely declined to prosecute their emperor for war crimes. In reality, it was a no-brainer as he was a virtual god to the Japanese people. It would have been a blood bath.

Off the top of my head, I don't think Japan really came into their own until the 70's but, when they did, they exploded. Also, they've remained war-free for nearly 75 years now. They're a strong democracy and ally and a great counter against China, Russia and North Korea should war ever break out.

In my mind, transitioning Japan from what they were to what they are is America's greatest non-military success of the 20th century.

For those interested, the following book is a GREAT listen. It deals with how MacArthur and team both revolutionized and pacified the Japanese people.

Only possible because of the application of two, very small, nuclear weapons.

...and the sacrifice of a hundred thousand Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines.

 

[Syriusly]

We actually defeated the Soviets with our economy rather than our military.

Capitalism won out over Socialism. Great victory.

However, the OPs point about turning Japan around is a great one. Goes hand in hand on how we also saved Europe from the economic destruction of WWII. Building up the economy of South Korea is included.

Then there was going to the Moon with slide rules and toggle switches.

I thought about Europe- Western Germany was a great turn around also.

But because of the Soviet Union's presence, frankly, I don't think it is as significant as Japan's.

The Moon landing is a great technological achievement, but what we did in Japan has and will continue to have- a greater effect on the world.

 

[Augustine_]

 

[Flash]

We actually defeated the Soviets with our economy rather than our military.

Capitalism won out over Socialism. Great victory.

However, the OPs point about turning Japan around is a great one. Goes hand in hand on how we also saved Europe from the economic destruction of WWII. Building up the economy of South Korea is included.

Then there was going to the Moon with slide rules and toggle switches.

I thought about Europe- Western Germany was a great turn around also.

But because of the Soviet Union's presence, frankly, I don't think it is as significant as Japan's.

The Moon landing is a great technological achievement, but what we did in Japan has and will continue to have- a greater effect on the world.

The US could have completely dominated the world after WWII. For instance, we could have taken over the oil fields of the Middle East if we had wanted. Nobody could have stood in our way. We could have raped Africa and South America. We could have turned West Europe into our client states like the Soviets did to Western Europe.

We could have enslaved the Japs.

Instead we went on a campaign to build up the economies of our previous enemies and our allies.

We also stood fast against the spread of Communism, which could have been much destructive than it was.

The US economic leadership after the war was a great thing. However, it cost us a lot. Japan started to eat our manufacturing lunch in the 1970s. The Muslims held our economy hostage with their oil.

By the way, I will disagree a little on your statement about going to the moon. It was much more than just a technological achievement. We had the economic resources to do it and we had the national will. The Soviets had the technology but they didn't have the economic depth to do what we did.

 

[Augustine_]

Instead we went on a campaign to build up the economies of our previous enemies and our allies.

Today's America would never do such a thing

 

[Augustine_]

By the way, I will disagree a little on your statement about going to the moon. It was much more than just a technological achievement. We had the economic resources to do it and we had the national will. The Soviets had the technology but they didn't have the economic depth to do what we did.

It's the best success in the history of humanity

 

[Flash]

Instead we went on a campaign to build up the economies of our previous enemies and our allies.

Today's America would never do such a thing

We have quite a record of nation building. It has cost us a lot.

Hopefully we can grow up and get out of the business of nation building and fighting other people's wars for them.

 

[K9Buck]

When a private citizen rose up and smote the evil Ice Queen, saving America from an endless Winter of Doom and Despair.

Agree, but that's 21st century.