K9Buck
Platinum Member
- Dec 25, 2009
- 15,907
- 6,522
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.
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.