The small island nation of Japan, after the end of its isolation policy in 1854, took many steps in modernising itself, and for a number of movi tives. Two distinct periods of modernisation are in the era of the Tokugawa shogunate and then the Meiji Restoration. A strong nationalism and the desire to compete and prove their worth to the West also assisted Japans modernisation. The Japanese, in addition, modeled their navy on that of the British, thier army from Germany and their industry from various other Western nations.
All these factors resulted in a rapid and highly efficient modernisation trend by the Japanese. During the mid 1800’s to the early 1900’s much modernisation, and with it westernization and industrialisation, took place. This change was partly due to the events approaching the end of the Tokugawa period. The previously resource based economy became based around cash. The countries wealth became concentrated, so much so that even the dam iyo couldn’t afford to retain their samarai. These samarai, or ronin as they were known without a master, roamed the countryside becoming a nuisance.
Just one of the reasons why the public were generally dissatisfied and ready for change. When the Tokugawa shogun fell to rebellions due to the fact he let foreigners into the county, in violation of their former isolationist policy, the previous puppet emperor Meiji was given total power. He pleased the public by satisfying their desire for change. Reforms were made in industry, agriculture and education. A strong industry developed, in particular the production of guns and warships. Agriculture became more efficient with the redistribution of land and the abolsion of feudalism.
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The education system was changed to teach skills required for effective service in the navy, army or in factories. the end result was a huge army and navy, wester ised lifestyle and strong Japanese nationalism. This nationalism and Japans desire to compete with the West also influenced her modernisation precess. These feelings had developed during the the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. The Japanese were a proud nation focused on success and progression. They also held a distinct resentment towards the West, from, for example, the breaking of their country’s Isolationist policy and the events leading up to the 1904-5 Russo-Japanese War.
This combination of nationalism and Western resentment posed as a movi ation and motive behind Japans modernisation. Lastly, is the fact the Japanese had many other countries to follow in their process of modernisation. Their 200 years of isolation had put them significantly behind development wise. But to their advantage they could now base their new society off that of the Western, more developed, nations. They could see what had worked and what hadn’t and then make their choice. The Japanese navy was based on that of the British and their army from the Germans.
Their industry was taken from various western nations. And that is why Japan were so effective and efficient in the developement and modernisation, the results of the concepts they used had already been witnessed. In conclusion, factors involving historical events, nationalism, resentment and mimicking saw the Japanese modernise themselves very quickly and efficiently. It is a pity Japan couldn’t have been satisfied with what they had, or that racism had not have been present, and that an expansionist policy had not been undertaken. But, despite this, history has proven that Japan finished far ahead them where she started.
