The Industrial Revolution In The 19th Century: Modern Japan

The 19th century has been characterized by historians as a century of change all around the western hemisphere. In this period, the industrial revolution began, ideals of a republic government became more popular, and a new form of a modern monarchy began to replace the old traditional ways of ruling in various countries. Japan, though late into reconstructing their system of government, modernized in 1868 with the beginning of the Meiji Restoration, whereas Japans new leaders sought to embrace the ideas of modernity and drive their country forward. Although, It is absurd not to question how this rapid change might have affected the Japanese as this restoration altered a culture which’s roots can be traced back over the course of 800 years. With the information of pictures, diaries, and memoirs provided in Modern Japan: A History of Documents (Pages 49-71) this paper will reveal that Japan became divided society, for the better part of twenty years after the restoration as conflicted attitudes emerged among the people which concerned whether or not they should stick with their traditional culture or if they should modernize like the rest of the world had already done. As the economy was also radically transformed, this paper will also reveal a divide that emerged among the Meiji court and newly emerging entrepreneur’s opinions in how to run and operate the Japanese economy.
From analysing the following information above, the clear that a division in society emerged with those who wished to maintain a traditional approach from day to day affairs, and those who wished to modernize completely. By examining the diary of Shubusawa Eiichi and his decision to resign from his position of Minister of Finance, this division becomes more clear as he rejected the style of economy the Meiji courts ruled in favor, and took a more direct approach to succeed in this emerging