MAEd- Social Studies

SS 308

1. How USA and USSR engaged in the Cold War? How SEA countries were
implicated in the cold war?

 The Cold War was a state of political and military tension after World War II between
powers in the Western Bloc (the United States) and powers in the Eastern Bloc (the
Soviet Union). The relations between the United States of America and the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics (1922–1991) succeeded the previous relations from 1776
to 1917 and predate today's relations that began in 1992. Full diplomatic relations
between the two countries were established late due to mutual hostility. During
World War II, the two countries were briefly allies. At the end of the war, the first
signs of post-war mistrust and hostility began to appear between the two countries,
escalating into the Cold War; a period of tense hostile relations, with periods of
détente. The end of World War II saw the resurfacing of previous divisions between
the two nations. The expansion of Soviet influence into Eastern Europe following
Germany's defeat worried the liberal democracies of the west, particularly the
United States, which had established virtual economic and political primacy in
Western Europe. The two nations promoted two opposing economic and political
ideologies and the two nations competed for international influence along these
lines. This protracted a geopolitical, ideological, and economic struggle—lasting from
about 1947 to the period leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union on December
26, 1991—is known as the Cold War.

2. What are the distinct political, military, economic and social impacts of Pacific war
to the Philippines and other SEA countries?

 Politics: The most well-known political changes are the rise of ethnic consciousness
and nationalism and their popularization. Socialism and communism gained strength
in Southeast Asia during the Pacific War. As was the case for nationalists, socialists
and communists were in existence since before the war, but they increased their
numbers during the war particularly in the form of resistance movements against
Japan. Typical examples included the Malayan Peoples’ Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA)
of Malaya, the Hukbalahap (Huk) of the Philippines, and the Vietnamese
Independence League (Viet Minh) of Vietnam. In many cases, socialist and
communist movements were largely based in rural areas, even though they were led
by the elite. This is further evidence that politics became popularized and spread
from urban areas to rural areas during the Pacific War.
 Military: Immediately before the war, as part of its preparations for the southward
offensive, or during the war, in preparation for the counteroffensive by the Allied
Forces into Southeast Asia, the Japanese military, except in the Philippines and some
other areas, organized defence forces or volunteer corps of native youths and
introduced the heiho system as ancillary forces to the Japanese military, and
provided them with military training and education for officers. Through the military
training conducted by the Japanese military, youths in Southeast Asia acquired not
only technical skills but also awareness about national defence, which were put to
good use in the subsequent wars of independence.

 Economy: It should be noted that the Pacific War had only negative effects on local
economies. The economies of colonies were supported by their close relations with
the suzerains. Even as trade with the suzerains in Europe decreased following
Germany’s westward offensive in the European theatre, the Pacific War broke out
and Japan took control of Southeast Asia, severing economic relationships between
the colonies in Southeast Asia and the suzerains. Japan pursued a policy aimed at the
attainment of self-sufficiency, and tried to increase food production, change
cropping, develop natural resources and produce substitute goods.

 Social: The organization of society or people may be given as the first example of the
war’s impact on society. From cities down to villages, Japan organized a variety of
social groups, such as neighbourhood community associations, young men’s
associations, civil defence units, neighbourhood watch groups and women’s
societies.
A second example is an increase in social mobility. Pre-war Southeast Asian
societies were hierarchical and static. The aforementioned organization of societies
or people, however, helped generate the movement and exchange of people
between cities and villages, and along with this, rural societies became more open,
and Japan introduced merit-based systems and encouraged the spread of universal
education.
Thirdly, ethnic conflicts became more acute, as an apparently negative effect.
For example, the colonial administrations of the United Kingdom and the
Netherlands tended to favor ethnic minorities at the expense of ethnic majorities.
Conversely, Japan favoured ethnic majorities in the areas it occupied during the
Pacific War.

3. Why many historians considered the Greatest East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere as
Japan’s idealistic national mission, opportunity for imperialism and economic
expansion?
 The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was Japan's attempt to form an
economic and military bloc consisting of nations within East and Southeast Asia
against Western colonization and manipulation, but it failed because of Japan's
inability to promote true mutual prosperity within the alliance. Japan's rise to power
was quick and her early successes convinced the Japanese that they were the
supreme race. However, along with Japan's rise to power, she found the West to be
less than supportive. Once Japan realized the West's unwillingness to allow an equal
footing, she began to look to expand her own empire in Asia. Japan's attempt to
conquer Asia led to her involvement and defeat in World War II.

4. How ASA and MAPHILINDO became precursors of ASEAN? How ASEAN was
established?

 The Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), formed in Bangkok on 31 July 1961, con
sisted of Malaya, the Philippines and Thailand. In spite of "its limited membership”
and "accusations that it was a pro-Western, anti-communist group", ASA could be
considered to a major step towards regional cohesion in Southeast Asia. ASA had
entered a disruptive phase since the latter half of 1963 because of the deteriorative
relations between the Philippines and Malaya over the former’s claimed to North
Borneo (Sabah) and the following formation of the Federation of Malaysia in
September 1963. However, it should be noted that even under such political
tensions ASA's activities continued to operate through the intermediary of the
Thailand's bilateral communications between the other two member-countries and
that consequently ASA was reactivated and paved the way for the creation of ASEAN
in. 1967; finally, ASA can be considered a predecessor to ASEAN for the reason that
the former's reactivization in 1966 led to the birth of the latter in 1967 and further
that the former's purposes, various projects and programmes was succeeded to the
ASEAN's objectives and activities.

 The other organization inherent in the region is Maphilindo, which was formed in
1963 by the proposal of the Philippines for "Greater Malay Confederation" and
composed of Malaya, the Philippines and Indonesia. The name of "Maphilindo"
which was given to this confedration by the then Indonesian Foreign Minister
Subandrio is made up of the first syrables of each member's name—MAlaya, the
PHILippines and INDOnasia. The “Maphilindo" concept was, instead of the ASA
framework, intended to internally settle the same interested issues between the
members and externally get rid of any interference from ex-regional powers on the
basis of the exclusive common Malay origins of member-countries. However, no
sooner had Maphilindo proved to be inoperative than it was launched in August
1963 through the birth of the Federation of Malaysia in September 1963 and the
subsequent Indonesian confrontation against the new Federation. Furthermore,
facing the tension between the new Federation of Malaysia and the Philippines over
the latter's claim to North Borneo since 1962 and Indonesia's friendly policy to
Communist China from 1963 to 1965, Maphilindo could not choose but come to a
still born end. But, the defeat of the Maphilindo idea could be described as having
led the three countries to seek for an alternative broader scheme of regional
cooperation.
 After the failure of Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), another regional
organization was established, called MAPHILINDO comprising Malaysia, Philippines
and Indonesia. Consequently, it placed SEA in a tense situation, cause the regional
interrelationship to break and create conflict between member countries
(Kunnaseelan Muniandy. For example, the confrontation between Malaysia-
Indonesia in 1963 where arm forces approach was applied in this conflict. This
confrontation between countries produced the elements of uncertainty and
suspicion between one another. Hence, the establishment ideas of regional
organization such as ASA and MAPHILINDO experienced failure (Chamil Wariya,
1989:44-45). After the end of the confrontations and tension between countries, SEA
tried to revive relationship between the regional states. Therefore, a conference
attended by SEA leaders was held in Bangkok in 1967, where the conference
produced the Declaration of Bangkok on the 8th of August 1967. The declaration
leads to establishment of Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) (Khaw Guan
Hoon, 1977:6). Since ASEAN was established in 8 August 1967, ASEAN organization
was only joined by five countries. Now ASEAN has become a successful regional
organization in bringing the attention of the other countries in rest of the world.
Generally, ASEAN has successfully nurtures the cooperation in political, economic,
social and cultural with establishment in exercise and research facilities for shared
interest. Nowadays, ASEAN roles and influence has strong base in Southeast Asia and
South Asia regions.

5. One of pol Pot’s legacies was the creation of culture of violence among young
Cambodians. Briefly discuss evidences to justify this statement.

The majority of Cambodian victims of gun violence are adults, but children have not
been spared. In a now notorious incident in 1998, bodyguards for the Kompong Speu
provincial governor fatally shot 16-year-old Soy Sophea, pumping more than a dozen
AK-47 bullets into him after he scaled the walls of the governor’s compound to steal
chickens. The boy’s sister identified his body.

Children who witness armed violence have been influenced by the power of the
gun–as the following incident described by a Cambodian child demonstrates.

The continued prevalence of small arms and light weapons and people’s willingness
to use them keeps Cambodian children fearful and unable to trust people in
positions of authority. One Cambodian child describes his father’s murder.

The impact of armed violence on Cambodian children during the Pol Pot years
continues to have negative consequences not only for those children who are
today’s adults, but also for the current generation of children. Cambodia remains a
country struggling to improve its people’s quality of life. Efforts to develop
economically and maintain political stability are burdened by the prevalence and
accessibility of small arms and light weapons. Until the negative impacts of small
arms can be countered, and alternatives to violent conflict resolution and crime
implemented, Cambodia will remain restrained by the legacy of Pol Pot and the
Khmer Rouge and the resulting dominance of small arms.