Modernization In Japan

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To fortify their nations, Japan and the Ottoman Empire underwent modernization and reformations between 1850 and 1914. At the start of the reforms both regions efforts at modernization were defensive, and both regions adopted Western elements into their society. Nonetheless, Japan worked to become a more industrialized nation, dissimilar to the Ottoman Empire, which was unable to create an industrial economy or strong state. Differences are also apparent during this modernization where women in the Ottoman Empire experienced greater opportunities than women in Japan who were suppressed in both public and political life. The efforts made in modernizing and creating reforms during the nineteenth century were defensive in both regions. The Ottoman
This contrasted to the Ottoman Empire, which did not undergo such a revolution to become an industrialized society. In a state-guided industrialization program, Japan created modern infrastructure by creating railroads, postal systems, and national currency. Along with being a major exporter of textiles, munitions, industrial goods, newspapers, and electric lights were produced. The Ottomans were not able to create industrial economies to fend of European intrusion, and in turn, they depended on Europe. Japan was able to have a solid foundation for its industrial growth due to urban development that took place in the Tokugawa era. Different from the Ottoman Empire, Japan, in its time of peace, had become a fairly urbanized country with an educated population, leading into a burst of economic growth and commercialization. In contrast to the Ottoman Empire, Japan was able to experience industrialization due to the utilization of its own resources. The Ottomans, on the other hand, relied on foreign loans to support economic development. Unable to pay off these massive debts, Europe took control of its revenue-generating
The Tanzimat era offered modest educational openings with teacher training colleges and training programs for midwives to women. The Young Ottomans allowed women to wear Western clothing and the right to obtain divorces in some situations. In addition, some women of more western cities found themselves abandoning veils and establishing publications and organizations. Although Japan did offer universal education, the curriculum was segregated and gender-specific. Not only was the role of women in public life harshly suppressed, but laws were made to forbid women from joining political parties and meetings. Constitutions and civil codes gave no political rights to women and instead gave full authority to the male head of the family. Women in the Ottoman Empire experienced greater opportunities because the reform-minded class that emerged in the Tanzimat era believed that the development and teaching of women helped strengthen the state. Male reformers of Japan, on the other hand, still believed women’s roles lay in the context of family life. Although differences in the attempts of modernization can be seen in terms of these gender issues and industrialization, both these regions created programs of defensive modernization and adopted Western ideas into their

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