Question 2 of category 2:
How do the approaches for industrialization differ between Britain and Japan? How are they similar?
The Industrial Revolution began during the 18th-19th century. By then, various countries began to evolve and adapt to survive. The Industrial Revolution first sparked in Great Britain in the 1700s. The country shifted from human production to mass production with the help of machinery and factories. Soon Britain’s methods created a chain reaction all across the globe and everyone began to industrialize. Britain caused the spark of ideas to flourish in several countries including Japan. However, Japan changed their approach to industrialize. Back in the 1600s, Japan confided in isolationism, just as China and Korea did. They all cut off trade connections with the foreigners…aka the Westerners. However, their tranquil solitude did not last forever. In 1854, the U.S forced the Japanese to trade with Westerners; there were several goods they’d desired and intended on getting what they wanted. Once the Japanese left their “turtle shell”, they seeked revenge. However, they were more cunning than the Westerners and planned to use their ideas against them. Now, the Japanese weren’t the first to think of deceiving them. China had attempted this, but failed. The difference between the two was that…the Japanese were successful in their semi-rebellion. It seemed that their (the Japanese) industrialization began in vain, to out-smart the Westerners. Their true industrialization that made progress began in the 1900s…two centuries behind of the British and various other countries. One difference between Japan’s and Britain’s approach to industrialization was purpose. In contrast to what was previously stated about the Japanese, Great Britain’s purpose of industrializing was to survive and have their mother country prosper. Britain’s game plan was to use their population (colonies), money, ideas from the Agriculture boom, machinery, and natural resources. These resources consisted of mainly coal and iron, which could completely turn their dream into a living reality. Britain also successfully industrialized, because their government fed off of business and fully supported all business growth and production. However, Japan’s strategy to industrializing differed from Britain’s. Japan planned to educate themselves with the Westerners science, technology, and ideas. They sent observers to see how the British established their machinery and factories to produce their own. Japan began to re-model their nation for the better and eventually became a powerful nation of the East. This could be interpreted as a strategic way of cultural diffusion. Soon, Britain and Japan thrived off of similar principles during their industrialization. Both countries aimed to re-shape their society for the better. Under the Meiji rule, the Japanese had several goals in store. This consisted of reforming the economy, social structure, education system, military, and government. The British set to spread their methods to other countries, helping/ hoping they to would evolve through industrialization. Another industrialization approach similar between the British and Japan: The Industrialization revolution greatly helped the British with transportation, communication, and banking. For transportation, railroad tracks, and steamboats were created. This helped make long distance transportation faster. Britain also created easy road construction using “Macadam”. This made the roads sturdier, smoother, and less muddy. They even invented new technologies like, the telegraph. This helped with banking and communications; steam vessels also helped improve national communications. Banks were made for investments and to store money from trade. The British believed that once they established a transportation system, that the production of factories to create machines could be possible. The Japanese copied this strategy to become prosperous themselves. Eventually, Britain became the top Western pioneer of industrialization and Japan was the top Eastern pioneer of industrialization. As top notch industrializers, the British and Japan soon became allies in 1902. In result of the Japanese’s and British’s bond, it showed that the Industrial Revolution helped unite people of various colors, ethnics, and cultural backgrounds. The Industrial Revolution changed the world forever. Even now, people are still advancing their technologies and questioning theories to help invent new machinery to benefit the human race. It seems as though the Industrial Revolution has never really stopped…it’s just evolving over time…still making history. |