This is a country in southeast asia that was under japanese occupation during wwii but belonged to the united states

Philipines- Was under Japanese occupation, but it belonged to the US, and we aquired this teritory through the Spainsh American War.

julius caesar turned the roman republic into the roman empire by coming in and taking the "dictator" role during the time of a civil war (elites vs lower classes) winning battles and reputation, then declaring him dictator for life

hope this : )