The Impact Of United States Opening Of Japan In 1854

In order to understand the impact the United States’ opening of Japan in 1854, had on Japanese society, one must have basic knowledge of it before foreign disruption (Hayes, 149). There were strong nationalistic tendencies, fueled by the 250-year isolation period Japan had previously gone through (Hayes, 146). This isolation, and active deterrence of foreign influence, led to a nation that largely developed on its own, barring the earlier influences from Chinese and Korean interaction (Hayes, 143, 147). In 1825, the shogun, the military leader who ruled the nation by the authority given to him by the emperor, even went so far say “Western ships approaching the coast of Japan should be fired upon and driven away," (Hayes, 148). This was in support

From 1868-1889, the Meiji Restoration period transformed the ‘backward’ nation of Japan and created the groundwork for a modern nation (Campbell). This government signed the Charter Oath in 1868, which committed them to modernization with clear Western influences, such as political participation from all classes, freedom to choose jobs without historical constraints, and permission for public discourse. Emperor Meiji and his progressive leadership also strove to advance Japan’s technology, to ‘keep up’ with Western prowess, particularly with the military. Similar to the Western ambitions of colonialization and expansion, Japan also adopted a new form of imperialism to expand its influence throughout East Asia (Hayes, 151). China and Korea were engaged for this purpose, with their biggest success being the Korean annexation. Their annexation was contested by the Russians, resulting in a military success for Japan, indicating that their efforts of modernization and technological advancement were successful (Campbell). This made Japan an internationally recognized power and gave them the ability to withdraw from previous treaties that allowed foreign domestic encroachment (Hayes,

Due to Japan’s rapid development, its society was in turmoil as it had to rearrange itself with the rationalization of jobs through industrialization, and a population boom ("Emperor Meiji & the Meiji Restoration Documentary"). Tightening their grip on the disheveled society, the Japanese government implemented the Public Peace Police Law, and the Special Higher Police in the early 1900s (Hayes, 155). They were meant to suppress new reformist movements, that went against the current government, targeting labor unions and intellectuals. Upon Emperor Meiji’s passing in 1912, the government’s urge for foreign and domestic control increased dramatically (“Emperor Meiji & the Meiji Restoration Documentary”). This increase in nationalism among the governing officials led to the attempt to annex China through the twenty-one demands in 1915 (Hayes, 156). Domestically, the people experienced increased government control and the rise of fascism in the 1930s. The military leaders disobeyed the wishes of civilian leaders in the Manchurian Incident, as they continued engaging upon being told to disarm (Hayes, 157). Led by their convictions of Japan’s superiority, all those who opposed within their ranks and civilians alike were removed (Hayes, 158). Attempting to assert themselves internationally, they not only aggressed against China but also entered World War