Meiji Era (1868-1912) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Meiji Era (1868-1912) - Essay Example The government industrialized the nation with the assistance of investing in enterprises owned by the state, development of the infrastructure for industries and obtained technology, machinery form developed nations such as European countries and privatization of industries. Japan's isolation from other parts of the world did not begin industrialization as early as the other western European countries. The Japanese government by that time tried to resist western influence in trade, and until 1853, they closed their trading boarders and ports for any trading activity with foreigners. They engaged in no foreign contact unless it was decidedly necessary and the laws forbade any Japanese civilian to travel. Japanese government also ensured that there was only one seaport open to trade with any western nation. The port of Nagasaki was the connection point for any trading activity with the western countries especially the Dutch and Chinese ships.2 In 1853, the president of America at that time sent the American commando, Mathew Perry, with a fleet of steam-powered ships (the back ships) to force a trade treaty with Japan and open the Japanese ports and boarders to trade with other parts of the world. Captain Perry gave the Japanese government one year of decision-making, and when he returned in 1954, the Japanese signed the treaty under the influence of force and opened their gates to the world trading. This was an indication of how the Japanese were weak in both economy and military.3 Creation of industrial infrastructure The Japanese realized that they needed a strong modern military to avoid intimidation by any foreign nation. However, the old rule of Tokugawa did not share the view modernizing their weapons and military. In 1968, the old Tokugawa government collapsed, and marked the beginning of the Meiji era when the Japanese begun serious consideration of modernization. However, the military modernization and arsenal buildup could not come alone; it included th e industrialization and industrial buildup of Japan and its principal cities2. Even though, there were several oppositions against industrialization, the Meija government proceeded with the modernization process. The government begun with sponsoring the telegraph system that connected the greatest cities in Japan, then they built roads and, shipyards rail network. The Meiji government also facilitated the building of mines, textile industries, munitions factories, experimental factories and agricultural stations. The leaders reloaded their efforts of military modernization including compulsory military service for all men, establishment of small standing army and a large reserve army system to boost their national security. They also engaged in foreign military education and consultation from studying foreign military, using foreign military advisors and sending cadets abroad Europe and America to study military education4. The Meiji government’s chief aim was to restore Japa nese isolation, but still maintain their contact with the west.