What were and explain the steps Japan took to become an Industrial and Imperial Power during the late 1800 and early 1900's?

Answer 1

First was the"opening" of Japan. The US wanted to be more involved in pacific trade so they forced the Japanese to share ports and behave like a "civilied" nation. Japan had seen the taking over of China and learned from it's mistakes, so when the US general steamed into Edo (now tokyo) Bay and demanded diplomatic negotions with the emperor Japan did not refuse because it knew the US navy would overcome them easily. The US focred Japan to open up to ports and to permit international trade.

Next was the Meiji Restoration when the powers of emperors was restorted. The reformers wanted a strong and rich nation so they dropped anti-foreign attacks, and traveled around the world finding out how other countries worked and their militarty and goverments tactics. They centralized their government and dismantled the social class system. In 1871 they merged armies and abolished domains. In 1872 they set up war colleges to create a stronger army and in 1889 they created a contsitutional government.

Then came industrialization. Leaders promoted industialization and the government paid experts to encourage westernizing, as well as studying abroad. They increased exports of silk and tea and created railroads, mines and factories.

FInally Japan became an imperial power when they took over Korea(1910) and Taiwan. The Russo - Japanese war was in 1904-1905 between Russia and Japan over territory in north and east China. They gained a foothold in China (Japan Won) and changed the way Europe looked at Japan.