How Japan Became a World Power in Only 40 Years (1865 - 1905)
Watch how Japan rose from a poor nation to a modern industrial nation equal to the Western powers in 40 years.
In the 1600s, Japan had cut off contact with the outside world. Foreigners were not permitted to visit Japan or conduct business there. With a small fleet of American vessels, an American commodore named Matthew C. Perry invaded Edo Bay on July 3, 1853. This exposed Japan to outside influences and ignited a fierce internal battle for executive power and reform.
After Emperor Komei died, and his son was crowned Emperor Meiji, civil unrest continued, making it hard for the new ruler Tokugawa Yoshinobu to maintain his power, leading to his resignation in November 1867. In 1868, the Boshin War and the subsequent fall of Edo finally overthrew the Shogunate, marking the end of this Tokugawa military dictatorship and the beginning of the Meiji era.
After taking the throne in January 1868, Emperor Meiji had implemented a comprehensive reform called “Meiji Restoration”, which was followed by an era of major political, economic, and social change in Japan, leading to its modernization and westernization. By 1871, the administrative reorganization successfully dismantled the old feudal system, abolished feudal class privileges and replaced feudal domains with a system of prefectures.
During the Meiji period, Japan underwent a rapid transition towards an industrial economy. Besides significant changes in politics, education and economics, the modernization and enlargement of the Imperial Japanese Army played a key role in Japan's expansion abroad.
It was now comparable to the Western powers in many aspects. Japan had created an up-to-date army and navy that had prevailed in two quick wars. It had triumphed over Russia in 1904–1905 and China in 1894–1895. It had effectively turned Korea into a colony.
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Timestamps 📽
00:00 Introduction
04:20 The End of the Beginning
10:31 Japan Meets The World
18:00 Business Opportunities
20:33 Meat
24:57 Upgrading The Military
30:22 Rebellion
37:11 Big in the West
44:36 Climbing the Ladder
48:15 Tension with the West
52:58 The First Rank of Nations
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Cre: @VoicesofthePast (YouTube)