Modern Development of Japan

ISU Essay

                Modern Development of   Japan

                                                      Cheng Zhang
                                                                CHY 4U West and the World
                                                                Mr.Coleman
                                                                2011.01.19

  During 18th century, under the influence of imperialism, the European nations came to control much of the world’s geography and its people. Japan, However, not only effectively resisted the imperial powers but transformed its feudal society into a modern, western-style nation under the Meiji government. Japan accomplished serve changes to reform its nation. Politics, economy and military are the three major keys that response for the success of became a modern country.

  Japanese government reformed into a western-style political group. Before the Meiji government, the old bakufu system took control of Japan over 5 centuries. Japan almost totally isolated itself with the world by Tokugawa`s government in 16th century. But in March 1854, the Treaty of Peace and Amity forced the government open two ports to the U.S.A after Admiral Matthew C.Petter took fair in Edo Bay. This significant event made Japan rejoin the world. 13 years after the treaty, Tokugawa government replaced by Meiji government. Japan now has the chance to absorb western culture. In 1873, One of the governor of Meiji government Itagaki Taisuke started a movement aimed at establishing a constitutional monarchy and a legislative assembly. It known as the Freedom and People’s Rights Movement. In 1881, Itagaki helped found the Liberal Party in Tokyo, which favored French political doctrines. This movement determined the Japanese government is moving toward western countries instead of staying in the old bakufu system. Later on, in 1882, Okuma Shigenibu established the Constitutional Progressive Party, which called for a British-...