How Did Foreign Pressures Influence the Processes of Post-1868 Japanese Modernization, Essay Example

How did foreign pressures influence the processes of post-1868 Japanese modernization? How, in turn, did modernization affect Japan’s foreign relations in subsequent years?

The nation of Japan had several difficult issues at the time of the Meiji emperor’s restoration in 1868. The country was mainly relying on its agriculture for support and was significantly underdeveloped in the technological fields. As well, it was quite weak as a military country of this time. Foreign pressures began to profoundly influence the processes of modernization in this post-1868 Japanese society, especially as Japan had been forced in to signing treaties restricting the management of its own trade and legal system with foreign nations, namely Europe and the United States. This, in turn, led to modernization, which significantly affected Japan’s foreign relations in subsequent years. By the time the Meiji era came to an end in 1912, the country had regained full control over its legal system, foreign commerce, and had become reputable in international associations for its complete independence and impartiality.

Pressure from the Western World influenced the processes of modernization in different ways. Although the political uprising restored power to the emperor during this time period, he did not rule over the people directly. Instead, the expectation was that he would follow the recommendations of the faction that had overthrown the Shogun. It was from this set of people that certain samurai from the lower ranks took control and created the new political structure in Japan. This group of men quickly built up their own military, and took control of economic management, in the name of the emperor. This change brought about a certain amount of resentment and resistance from some members of the population, upset at losing some of the privileges, of which they had become accustomed.

In 1872, top leadership of the country left to take a trip to the United States and Europe, in order to study the Western ways. During this time, conservative groups in Japan argued that an invasion of Korea was needed and that this would facilitate the samurai in gaining back their rightful positions. Upon hearing of this, the leadership returned to restore order and argued that the modernization of Japan should be their main focus. Over the next twenty years, the main goal of Japan remained domestic reform. Using the model provided by the Western nations to transform their social and monetary institutions was the main endeavour of this domestic reform.

The modernization of this post-1868 Japanese society was strongly influenced by foreign powers. The Meiji reforms brought change, both within Japan and in Japan’s role in world affairs. It strengthened itself enough that even in the face of Western colonizing powers; it remained a sovereign nation and became a colonizing power itself. Despite this, Japan has continued to struggle on and off with foreign relations, even to the point of declaring war upon them. Japan was highly successful in organizing an industrial, capitalist country based on Western models. However, when Japan also began to apply the lessons it learned from European imperialism, the West reacted negatively, and tensions have remained to this day in many ways.

Works Cited

“Introduction to Meiji Japan.” Japan Answers the Challenge of the Western World. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2010 <http://www.asij.ac.jp/highschool/academic/ss/history_of_asia/michelle/introduction_to_meiji_japan.htm>.

“Power Point Presentation Exploring Non.” Exploring Non-Western Civilizations, Cultures, Philosophies and Theories. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2010 <http://faculty.uncfsu.edu/hlheem/08-smm-460-present-summary.htm>.