Prior to the Meiji Restoration, the Western powers viewed Japan as the backward nation because “in terms of military strength and economic development, Japan was indeed far behind the Western nations” (Hane and Perez 84). The Meiji government feared that Western nations would colonize Japan because they had already done it to other Asian countries by using military forces (Hane and Perez 84). The Meiji government’s fear came out to be true when the Western powers imposed unequal commercial treaties on Japan. Because of these unequal treaties Japan was “deprived of the right to regulate tariffs, and Western residents in the treaty ports were granted the privilege of extraterritoriality” (Hane and Perez 84).
...anarchy and complete corruption. Through its economic progress and booming industry, Japan pushed itself out into the global economy and create a positive reputation. Finally, by taking up war with Korea and Russia, Japan proved its military power in the East. While not every single policy provided positive gains, the experiences and steps toward westernization were important. If the Japan had never stepped forth from its mainly agrarian society, the current economy and situation of the country would not exist. Its global influence would be minimal without the steps taken to open the country to modern ideas and concepts.
Japan is small island country with few natural resources, lacking especially in iron and oil. Starting before World War I, Japan moved to ease these limitations by working to acquire new territory. Within a period of 15 years (1894-1909), Japan took over the Pescadores Islands and Formosa, defeated the Russians, and annexed Korea [Smurthwaite p.12]. These actions forced the rest of the world to recognize Japan as one of the strong powers in the East. As a result of the Treaty of Versailles (January, 1919), they gained the former German territories in the Mariana, Caroline and Marshall Islands [McKay p.
Also, after much industrialization, Japan developed into an imperialistic state. It started to pursue settlements as a foundation for raw materials and new markets f...
Imperialism has existed for many years and has displayed many differing forms. It is a naturally occurring event that has a vast and complex history. Major world powers have been striving to expand their relative power and at the same time provide for their people. From the earliest civilizations groups of individuals set out to improve their well being at the expense of others. When examining more modern imperialism there is little variation from this view. Countries all over the world depend on their colonies to meet the needs of their nation. The world has become transformed and many changes have occurred based on situations resulting from imperialism. There are processes towards basic imperialism that can be labelled as fundamental. Japan’s imperial experience in Korea, for example, differs from what the “West” experienced in Africa and Asia in several ways. The 19th and 20th centuries displayed a great amount of expansion and the countries of the West were heavily responsible for this experience. Japan, however, played a key role in the history of imperialism as they joined in the fight for world power. First of all, Japan’s experience is different from the West’s in that it was more of a reactionary decision to expand, while the West had strong, rational motives to do so. Secondly, Japan’s choices in altering Korea’s society by such drastic measures are more powerful than how most of the West approached controlling their many colonies. Thirdly, the West did not have to deal with the outside interference and resistance that Japan was accustomed to near the end of their rule over Korea. Fourthly, Japan and Korea are two closely related countries. Their societies are similar and their geographical locations are very close to each other. The West, on the other hand, does not typically have this attachment with its colonies and the effects are noticeable. Lastly, because Japan had a history of Emperor worship the ways in which the country approached imperialism is affected in ways not applicable to the West. These differing aspects of rule displayed by Japan and the West clearly promote Bruce Cummings take on the matter of imperial experiences in the modern era.
The Meiji Restoration is regarded as the start of modernization in Japan. The coming of Commodore Perry in Japan converted the nation from feudalism and isolation into a world power by the twentieth century. Japan emulated the model of Western powers by industrializing and expanding its foreign influence. Japan reacted distinctly when challenged by the West. When the United States and European countries were compelling Japan to open its ports to the world in the 1850s, Japan decided to use the West as a model for their own benefit. When the emperor was restored to power, Japan modernized, militarized, and industrialized. These changes were all based on examples set by the West.
After World War 1 Japan had a hard time adjusting to the new world. “While its economy was still primarily agricultural, rapid population growth (to over 80 million) had diminished the amount of land suitable for farming. Many people lived in small houses, lacking running water. In a nation about the size of California, only one of every six acres was farmland. This put great pressure on Japanese government to find more space and land for its people.” (America Enters World War II page 12). Japan attempted to change its agricultural-based economic system to an industrial based system. “But the international system of trade barriers and tariffs, established by the United States and other industrial powers to protect domestic manufacturing, hindered Japan’s industrial expansion.” (America Enters World War II page 13). Many of the materials Japan needed were found in neighboring countries that were controlled by European powers. Japan began to question it’s right to Asian markets and raw materials. “J...
Japan, a once prosperous country, was one of the leading countries in technological, economical and social status until the early 1600s, becomes the victim of many forced, unequal trades by western countries, similar to the other, advanced non-western empires such as China and the Ottoman Empire. After man attempted reforms by the shogun’s chief advisor, Mizuno Tadakuni, had failed, led to the downfall of his reign in office. In 1844, western lands, Britain, France and the United States of America, pushed for Japan to establish political and economical trade relations with other countries. This persistence continued until 1854, when a commodore from the United States of America, Mathew Perry, forcefully makes Japan agree to the Kanawaga treaty,...
Japan’s main struggle that it overcame was the fact that it was not on an equal playing field compared to western powers like the United States and England. However, through the Meji restoration, Japan was able to quickly climb to power which caused a negative reaction from Western countries. Due to the fact that Western nations
Upon the modernization and adaptation of a strong military in Japan and a succession of victories against neighboring countries, Japan emerged as a world power. They began to be arrogant in their military power and desired to show it. As we’ve seen with Korea, the Japanese feel a need to go into surrounding countries and modernize them, just as how they were modernized. Japan desired a collectivist Asia in order to protect themselves from Western powers.