Date of Award

Summer 1976

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

History

Committee Director

Heinz K. Meier

Committee Member

Norman H. Pollock

Committee Member

Patrick Rollins

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.H47 G66

Abstract

This paper traces the changes in the attitudes and policies of the United States towards the Southeast Asian country of Thailand during the Second World War. From a position of indifference the United States assumed an active role in the emergence of Thailand as a sovereign nation at the conclusion of the war, encouraging pro-American factions and opposing a traditional power of the area, Great Britain.

The emphasis of the paper is on the different attitudes held by Britain and the United States and the efforts to reconcile them. The British expected recompense by the Thais for allying themselves with the Japanese; even so the discussions were usually within the framework of the Americans' post-war vision that placed great reliance on the free will of the Thai people.

When Britain appeared to be attempting to impose its own authority over the Thais, the United States acted firmly to thwart this and insist that its own world-view prevailed, thus assuring continuing American influence in the area.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/4m54-r475

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