Article presentation: Buddhism-Propaganda and its Consequences

Student's Name Professor Course Code & Name Date Article Presentation: Buddhism-Propaganda And Its Consequences During World War II, Westerners' image of the Japanese changed from "lesser men" to scary "supermen" and icons of the "Yellow Peril." These perceptual modifications altered wartime propaganda, legislation, and sentiments against the Japanese during and after the war. Early in the conflict, Japanese military forces' surprising victory portrayed Japanese troops and airmen as superhuman figures with great prowess and cunning. Allied propagandists used fears and stereotypes to represent the Japanese as a menace to Western culture. According to John Dower's insightful work, Chapter Five in "War without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War.", Japanese perceptions changed during World War II. This essay critically examines the "Superman" myth, propaganda, fearmongering, attempts to debunk these myths, and the persistence of archetypical figures like the "Yellow Peril." These perspectives shaped wartime policies and postwar sentiments toward the Japanese, as shown by historical sources. Transformation of Perceptions Dower's investigation shows a shift in Western opinions of the Japanese from "lesser men" to supermen. Westerners first disdained Japan's military, from strategic to physical. Few people in the West believed that the Japanese could create such intricate military strategies or execute them skillfully, mentally or physically (Dower 108). President Roosevelt's acceptance of pseudo-scientific statements regarding Japanese inferiority shows Western ethnocentrism (Dower 115). Before Pearl Harbor, Westerners greatly underestimated Japan's intentions and capabilities (Dower 98). The surprise Pearl Harbor attack broke Western perceptions of Japanese incompetence, requiring a reconsideration of their military and geopolitical prowess (Dower 101). Western attitudes remained contemptuous and disbelieving, as shown by sentiments such as "We can lick the Japs in twenty-four hours" (Dower 109). Overconfidence blinded Western leaders to Japan's threat, causing them to underestimate their opponents grossly. As Japan won, significantly after Singapore fell and Allied forces were devastated in the Pacific, the Japanese Superman developed. Stunned by Japanese military operations' bravery and efficiency, Westerners gave them superhuman powers, turning them from comic caricatures to formidable opponents (Dower 112). This shift in attitudes showed the strength of warfare propaganda and how military failures affect collective awareness. Propaganda and Fearmongering Dower explores the impact of propaganda and fearmongering on historical conceptions of the Japanese during World War II. US leaders like Secretary of War Stimson and former ambassador Joseph Grew spread scary language that helped build the Japanese Superman. Grew, in particular, portrayed the Japanese as "sturdy," "Spartan," and vicious, alarming Americans. Western media also fueled the Japanese invincibility myth. Editorial cartoons portrayed Japan as a threatening colossus, while headlines exaggerated its military might (Dower 113). Time and Life articles inflated Japanese qualities, promoting the superhuman Japanese warrior (Dower 111) and representing the Japanese as supermen justified Allied wartime policies and boosted Western morale. It also fueled anti-Japanese sentiment and justified...