Japanese Industrialization
nation outside of Europe that was able to launch its own Industrial Revolution during
the 19th century. Its quick modernization surprised other countries and made it a country
to be admired. Many came to Japan to study its history and learn from its achievements.
So how did Japan do it?
For a few centuries, Japan was ruled by shoguns. The shoguns’ purpose was to prevent
the daimyo, or the feudal lords, from fighting and causing a civil war. The shoguns wanted
peace and stability. They had strict rules, and even divided up Japanese society into a
hierarchy: samurai, peasants, artisans, and merchants on the bottom. The goal of these
shoguns were to freeze Japan. They were worried a civil war would break out like before.
Their strict rules were not liked by the public. The people eventually started to complain.
Samurai wanted to trade and merchants were dissatisfied with their low status, even
though they were rich and even had the samurai relying on them. More dissatisfaction in
the shogun regime arose due to widespread corruption and the inability of the shogun to
deal with a famine in the 1830s. The shogun were not liked.
the daimyo, or the feudal lords, from fighting and causing a civil war. The shoguns wanted
peace and stability. They had strict rules, and even divided up Japanese society into a
hierarchy: samurai, peasants, artisans, and merchants on the bottom. The goal of these
shoguns were to freeze Japan. They were worried a civil war would break out like before.
Their strict rules were not liked by the public. The people eventually started to complain.
Samurai wanted to trade and merchants were dissatisfied with their low status, even
though they were rich and even had the samurai relying on them. More dissatisfaction in
the shogun regime arose due to widespread corruption and the inability of the shogun to
deal with a famine in the 1830s. The shogun were not liked.
However, their reforms for peace contributed to the economic growth in Japan. Without
the shogun regime, there would have been a lack of agricultural innovation and
manufacturing enterprises. By 1750, Japan was already one of the world’s most
urbanized countries.
the shogun regime, there would have been a lack of agricultural innovation and
manufacturing enterprises. By 1750, Japan was already one of the world’s most
urbanized countries.
After Commodore Perry from the US came to demand the right to trade with Japan, the
shogunate yielded. This led to further loss of support from the people, and a takeover by
a group of young samurai. This new group now had the purpose of breaking with the past
and advancing Japanese society. Japan started to work on genuine national unity, by
replacing daimyo with governors. Everyone legally became a commoner in order to be
more equal. Japan sought out western education and technology. And although they were
fascinated by it, they still maintained their identity by taking what they liked from other
cultures and mixing it with their own traditions.
shogunate yielded. This led to further loss of support from the people, and a takeover by
a group of young samurai. This new group now had the purpose of breaking with the past
and advancing Japanese society. Japan started to work on genuine national unity, by
replacing daimyo with governors. Everyone legally became a commoner in order to be
more equal. Japan sought out western education and technology. And although they were
fascinated by it, they still maintained their identity by taking what they liked from other
cultures and mixing it with their own traditions.
In my personal opinion, Japan’s road was unique and unexpected. Even if the shogunate
wanted a stable and unmoving society, the opposite somehow happened, which was
surprising. In the end, it benefited Japan. And all of this happened relatively peacefully
compared with other countries. Japan’s transition is definitely an ideal. I think one of
Japan’s strong points in this chapter is how it readily accepted other cultures to improve
on itself. The Japanese did not think that they had the best, and they were open-minded
enough to see look into other countries’ ways of doing things. The shogunate’s refusal to
go to war was also helpful, even if that meant losing the respect of the people. Overall, I
think Japan’s open-mindedness and peacefulness helped contribute to its quick transition.
One criticism I would have is Japan’s inability to deal with the social issues in its
communities. Although the country advanced in terms of industrialization, Japan in this
time period had not given women their proper rights, even if they were in desperate need
of women’s labor. Public life for women was extremely restricted.
Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day! :)
wanted a stable and unmoving society, the opposite somehow happened, which was
surprising. In the end, it benefited Japan. And all of this happened relatively peacefully
compared with other countries. Japan’s transition is definitely an ideal. I think one of
Japan’s strong points in this chapter is how it readily accepted other cultures to improve
on itself. The Japanese did not think that they had the best, and they were open-minded
enough to see look into other countries’ ways of doing things. The shogunate’s refusal to
go to war was also helpful, even if that meant losing the respect of the people. Overall, I
think Japan’s open-mindedness and peacefulness helped contribute to its quick transition.
One criticism I would have is Japan’s inability to deal with the social issues in its
communities. Although the country advanced in terms of industrialization, Japan in this
time period had not given women their proper rights, even if they were in desperate need
of women’s labor. Public life for women was extremely restricted.
Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day! :)
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