Emperor Meiji's Impact On Japan

Emperor Meiji triggered the start of modernization in Japan. He made the right decision because this helped convey to people that it was time to change and become part of the outside world. The modernized Japan had become advanced in technology, art, culture and literature, however not everyone wanted this lifestyle. Samurais who still believed in the traditional worldview fought for what they thought was right. The problem was that Emperor Meiji was set on the idea of modernization and the samurai wanted tradition and the old ways.

One of the things Japan advanced in was technology and that includes weapons. When the samurai fought against the Emperor’s soldiers, the samurai suffered an honourable defeat because even though they lost, they helped start a new era where the worldviews could live together in peace. Weapons were not the thing they advanced in. They also designed and created the bullet train in the future.In the Edo Period, Japan progressed greatly. One of the ways they did that was to use western technology and improve it and add their own touches. In the west they created the railroads and that inspired the Japanese to create a better one. Technology improved over time and that led to great new inventions, including the bullet train. They also advanced in their

culture by creating new traditions that were inspired from the rest of the world especially China. But of course, this went both ways. While Japan advanced, the rest of the world did too, they helped each other by changing/improving ideas and creating the things.

Having these new ideas, Japan was to connect to the world easier after their 200 year isolation. After learning how to fend for themselves, Emperor Meiji was able to see if what was happening between the outside world and Japan was fair. Trading increased between the countries and this was one of the ways people could be tricked to trade something of lesser value. Emperor Meiji used the guns and boats that were traded to improve their military because they still needed to be protected. Being part of the world meant being exposed to the plans of colonization. In the 19th century countries still needed to be colonized and that includes Japan. Having this information Japa was able to plan for the future if they were ever to be bombarded by westerners. This also helps the government because depended on the Emperor to make the right choice and help Japan modernize.

Japan wasn’t always part of the outside world. In the Edo period westerners thought that Japanese people were barbarians and they had no rule over themselves. WHen the westerners finally came to Japan, they were surprised to see the Japanese so civilized and “perfect”. The worldview for the Japanese later changed because the westerners finally saw them in person and have seen how they function when they are by themselves.
The Japanese have always strived for perfection and over time they have prospered many ways from technology to culture.

Emperor Meiji helped with the evolution of Japan because he helped advance guns and that helped them in wars and getting colonized by other countries. Japan has always been changing and trying to fit in the with the outside world. For Japan to be part of the outside world, they had to make friends with the other countries. 2 years after the Meiji Period ended, World War 1 began and was dragged into the fight. What Emperor Meiji did to advance Japan helped Japan survive the war because they had better firearms and they were connected to the world so they could ask for

help.

At the end Emperor Meiji impacted the ways of Japan in advancement and in improving the traditions. Even though all of Japan was not in favour of what he did, he still made a difference in the future. Emperor Meiji mostly helped with the advancement of technology and weapons because in the future the Japanese used it more so they could protect themselves from the outside world. Even though their main goal was to make friends with outside world, they were still dragged into wars because of this. But this helped Japan colonize and become a country, even though they still made mistakes in the future they still learnt from it and that helped them perfect themselves.