Japanese Imperialism Essay

1089 Words3 Pages

Imperialism has not only influenced colonial territories to better themselves or to further the mother country’s realm of power, it also had a significant impact on the people’s culture, education, environment, and political systems. Japan and Britain were two imperial systems that countered each other in many facets but also had strikingly similar qualities that had helped them become strong imperial powers that needed one another to continue their position amongst others. The Japanese empire was an inspirational country to other Asians that spearheaded the fight against the European imperialism. After the Meiji restoration, emperors decided that the modernization of Japan was going to begin and in order for it to be a success, the government
63). This not only increased the Japanese people’s nationalism but also their imperialistic journey because of the samurai having military leadership roles; this stressed the importance of their loyalty to society. British roles that already existed in Japan had affected their education— “For a long time, Japanese naval cadets had been sent to Great Britain for training. British experts and officers had worked in Japan in advisory and instructing roles, and most of the Japanese fleet had as built in British yards” in which Japan resulted with multiple strategies for way (Roberts, p. 62 and 212). Another thriving element was Japan’s environment; it provided support through trading with other countries by being a “…semi-developed, diversifying society, with a money economy, large commercial cities and the beginnings of a quasi-capitalist structure in agriculture.” Therefore, they were able to compete and trade not only with Britain but with
Its monarchy has led them to success with nationalism and patriotism, and even some of their own thought that ruling over more countries (particularly India) would make them “the greatest power in the world” (Roberts, p. 225). They were interested in imperializing and having control over others, to spread their beliefs and government across the seas. All they needed was “food, raw materials and cash” while they supplied “minerals and capital and sold services” and traded their goods with Europe (Roberts, p. 50). Trading with other countries and having to rely on Britain for large goods further pushed them as a clutch for some countries to continue their own rule. Queen Victoria, who ruled over Britain, believed that they could not be defeated; the thought of it did not even exist, which brought forth a very arrogant political party. They believed that to follow their type of rule will guarantee results of overall success and power against other countries (Roberts, p. 108). For example, the British antagonized the Egyptians by decreasing employment rates and raising taxes without the possibility of Egyptians becoming part of their own office. With the lack of the people representing themselves, the power of a foreign nation continued to dominate and further influence the colony’s

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