Modernise Japan example essay topic

After 200 years of complete isolation, Japan opened itself to new ideas and influence that allowed a process of rapid modernisation to occur; that would have a drastic impact on every facet of Japanese society. This period became known as the Meiji Restoration, and under the Imperial Charter Oath of 1868, a new system of government was established and important aspects such as industrialisation and imperialism transformed Japan. The first step towards becoming a modern state came in 1853, when four United States ships commanded by Commodore Perry sailed into U raga Bay, near the capital Edo. Perry presented a letter from US President Fillmore, urging Japan to end their seclusion, opening the country to foreign trade. Impressed by the foreigner's steam-powered ships and heavy artillery, the Japanese officials felt as if they had no choice but to sign the treaty with the United States. Known as the Treaty of Kanagawa (1854), Japan granted permission to trade and extraterritorial rights to many foreign nations, as well as allowing Americans to station a consular official in Japan.

Within two years, Japan had signed other unequal treaties with Britain, Russia and the Netherlands. However, the Japanese feared that foreigners would take over Japan unless some changes took place. The people realised that they would have to adapt advancements from Western civilisation, but retain certain traditional features of their culture at the same time. In 1868, the Imperial Charter Oath was signed on behalf of Emperor Mutsihito, in which the Emperor took the oath to give the Japanese people an idea of aims of the government and the direction of future policies.

These basic ideas were: To end feudalism, to learn everything from outside countries, to introduce a form of parliament and to give all people the opportunity for economic advancement. This was perhaps the most important aspect of Japan's attempt to become a modern state, because it began the revolutionary Meiji Era (meaning 'enlightened rule') and outlined all the reforms that were to take place, changing the face of Japan forever. Prior to the Restoration, and in a period known as the Tokugawa shogunate (1600-1868), members of the Tokugawa family ruled Japan. The feudal system that was in place during this time held the shogun (general chief) as political rulers, served by the daimyo (feudal lords who important landowners and nobles). The military class known as samurai fought on behalf of the daimyo, with farmers and craftsmen, followed by merchants and peasants at the bottom of Japan's social echelon.

Whilst the Emperor was technically the leader of Japan, he had little real power and was merely a figurehead. However, the system of feudalism was ended in order to central ise power and modernise the country. This eliminated daimyo independence, provided a steady source of revenue and reduced the chance of political upheaval, forcing clan leaders to give up their land. As the boundaries between the social classes of Tokugawa Japan were broken down, socio-economic upheaval began.

The daimyo's financial position increases because they did not have to support the samurai class; however the samurai suffered because of conscription into the army also signalled the end of their privileged position. Merchants benefited greatly when the government decided to pay many of the daimyo's debts and the peasants were no longer exploited by their feudal lords, however they remained in poverty and continued to move to the city for work. With the end of the shogunate came the need for a new system of government. Emperor Mutsihito was restored to full power.

In actuality, for the first ten years power was in the hands of three leaders from the Satsuma and Cho shu provinces, who introduced reforms in the emperor's name. The Meiji Constitution was established in 1889 and stated "Japan shall be reigned over and governed by a line of Emperor, unbroken for ages eternal. Based on the German model of government, the constitution separated both the army and the navy, as well as the Cabinet ministers, from any control by the House of Representatives. It included aspects such as a Privy Council with a Premier and Cabinet, a Supreme War Council and the Imperial Diet, consisting of a House of Representative and a House of Peers. The House of Representatives was elected by a limited number of adult males (comprising only an eight-hundredth of the total population, whilst the House of Peers consisted of mainly formers daimyo.

This form of government had adopted certain democratic aspects from the West, but still concentrated power in the hands of the Emperor, thus creating a 'benevolent dictatorship'. However, as in Germany, real power was in the hands of a small group of men - the Gentry, who were determined to build a powerful nation. One such leader was Tomo mi Iwa kura, who vowed to seek knowledge throughout the world in order to "open the country to drive out the barbarians". On missions to Europe and North America, the Japanese studied foreign ways of life, and chose certain aspects to bring back to Japan. One Japanese leader observed: Are we to delay the using of steam machinery until we have discovered the principles of steam for ourselves? If we can select examples from then and adopt their contrivances, who should we not be successful in working them out?

Revamping and modernising along western lines, Japan's industrialisation saw the country's first railroad line built in 1872, connecting Tokyo and Yokohama, with more than 7000 miles of railroad track by 1914. Coal production increased from half a million tons in 1875 to more than 21 million tons in 1913 with the infamous coal mines such as that of Battleship Island. This attitude of "Japanese spirit - Western technology" argued that reform must come before conflict, with Japan responding to the threat from the West by developing its own industries. Large government-supported companies built thousands of factories, such as Mitsubishi, and these helped Japan's economy to grow. Over the next 30 years, Japan's economy became as modern as any in the world. A modern banking system was introduced, and the Japanese borrowed as little money as possible from European or American bankers, with any money borrowed quickly repaid.

Most of the capital needed to modernise Japan came from the exports of such traditional products as silk. The modernisation of the economy was dependant largely on provincial Japan. The government relied on revenue from product and land tax, with farmers suddenly making Japan's dream of becoming part of the international economy a reality. The farmers also began an important aspect of Japan's attempt to become a modern state, and this was education.

They built schools in their provinces and the government soon introduced compulsory education, with the slogan "Education is the key to success". However, economic development was only part of Japan's plan to become a world power. Another part was military reform. In 1873, the government declared universal conscription, and raised the first national army from the former samurai. The Japanese navy was trained by the British, whilst the army was patterned after Germany. By 1890, Japan had several dozen warships and 500 000 soldiers.

It was believed that military strength was essential for a strong and independent nation. Growing in strength in both a military and industrial sense, Japan could now renegotiate the unequal treaties signed in the 1850's. The legal system was completely changed and in 1899, The Japanese persuaded the Western powers to give up their extraterritorial privileges in Japan. Japan now had the strength to become imperialistic. Imitating attitudes of European powers, Japan believed that if it was not imperial it would lose its independence. Other factors that influenced empire buildings were nationalistic attitudes, meeting economic needs and showing the world that Japan was now a powerful nation.

Japan expanded at China's expense, and went to war against the former "mother country" in 1894. As a result, the Japanese took over Korea and moved into the iron and coal-rich province of Manchuria. In 1904, Japan went to war with Russia in the Russo-Japanese war, and won victory after victory. At the Battle of Tsushima, the Japanese navy sunk 38 of 40 Russian ships. This victory, and indeed the whole prospect of Japan's colonialism won the nation the recognition of being a great power. The Meiji Era brought about many reforms in Japanese society, in its attempts to become a modern state.

The Imperial Charter Oath outlined and justified these changes, and saw the end of feudalism (which meant the end of the Tokugawa dynasty, restoration of the Emperor to the throne, and huge socio-economic changes) and a new system of government that changed how the nation would be run. Policies implemented by this monarchical system include industrialisation and imperialism, which both led Japan into being a modern economic and military world power, and the only Asian country that was able to deal with the West as an equal.