How did US help Germany and Japan after WW2
Answers
Americans at the time was largely anti imperialists not too long prior to the war the Philippines gained independence from America. One of FDR’s biggest problem with the UK was their massive empire, in which he publicly criticized. So in that sense, the US had no intentions of taking over the countries it had conquered.
The US though did fear communism. The logic behind things like the Marshall Plan and the aid to Greece is that an economically and politically stable country is the best defense against communism. So that was pretty much the concept behind many of the US policies regarding foreign aid and the reconstruction of Europe. I mean it was in recent history that a unstable Germany, Spain, Yugoslavia, Italy and Soviet Union eventually came under the control of dictators.
Apparently it worked. Both Japan and Germany are economic powerhouses in their respective region. So is South Korea which experienced a similar relationship with the US after the Korean War.
Also I feel another aspect overlooked is simply the fact that the US populace was somewhat removed from the war. After WW1 the US was against the harsh punishments of Germany. So its likely the same mindset was present after the 2nd World War.