European Imperialism on Japan
European Imperialism on Japan
Ever since the Industrial Revolution, the Europeans were restless in between the intensified economic activity and competition; many industrialists at this time believed that the only way their nations could ensure their economic necessities was the acquisition of overseas territories, and this belief later expanded into Imperialism.
The second motive for Imperialism/Colonialism would be that once Europeans obtained the knowledge of 'outer beyond' and gained advanced technology to support their need of travel overseas, many were taking huge interest in exotic places, as a fascinating source to fulfil their hunger for adventures. Hence, their attention turned back onto the 'misty Orientals'. The Eurocentric term Oriental was often used in a cultural stereotype description to express the mystic, ‘foggy’ atmosphere within the whole of Asia as Europeans saw it in those times. In fact, some still feel that way about Asia, as the word oriental is still widely used in modern society, from publishers to websites.
However, even back in the 1500s, contact between the Orientals and the Occidentals ('The West') were in process. One pure example of this situation would be Japan in the 1500s. Ever since Portuguese started trading with Japan, many hungry European countries, including England, France, Spain and Dutch, came asking for ports to open up. The decisions for these treaties were made by the Shogun, the military dictator of Japan's iconic warrior class, the samurais. The Shogun found no problem with having to trade with foreigners, and without dawdles, welcomed them in. However, it wasn't long till the Shomse European countries (Kick the French out, they’re pirates) (Don’t trust England, they’re liars) pouring down to the ears of the Shogun, it was without question that he was feeling agitated.
However, the big problem lay within the Western Missionaries; with them being too successful, hundreds of peasants and even
Ever since the Industrial Revolution, the Europeans were restless in between the intensified economic activity and competition; many industrialists at this time believed that the only way their nations could ensure their economic necessities was the acquisition of overseas territories, and this belief later expanded into Imperialism.
The second motive for Imperialism/Colonialism would be that once Europeans obtained the knowledge of 'outer beyond' and gained advanced technology to support their need of travel overseas, many were taking huge interest in exotic places, as a fascinating source to fulfil their hunger for adventures. Hence, their attention turned back onto the 'misty Orientals'. The Eurocentric term Oriental was often used in a cultural stereotype description to express the mystic, ‘foggy’ atmosphere within the whole of Asia as Europeans saw it in those times. In fact, some still feel that way about Asia, as the word oriental is still widely used in modern society, from publishers to websites.
However, even back in the 1500s, contact between the Orientals and the Occidentals ('The West') were in process. One pure example of this situation would be Japan in the 1500s. Ever since Portuguese started trading with Japan, many hungry European countries, including England, France, Spain and Dutch, came asking for ports to open up. The decisions for these treaties were made by the Shogun, the military dictator of Japan's iconic warrior class, the samurais. The Shogun found no problem with having to trade with foreigners, and without dawdles, welcomed them in. However, it wasn't long till the Shomse European countries (Kick the French out, they’re pirates) (Don’t trust England, they’re liars) pouring down to the ears of the Shogun, it was without question that he was feeling agitated.
However, the big problem lay within the Western Missionaries; with them being too successful, hundreds of peasants and even