Japan and Korea were exposed to the threat of foreign powers, rapid modernization, economic progress, and an expansion of their social structure. The economic success attained by these two countries is impressive and well known. They both share common ideological traits, but also have different, unique pathways that brought themselves to modernization.
Korea was different than Japan because of their highly centralized government. The Korean government had a monopoly of power and wealth, and weapons were illegal. The Korean government began to be humiliated by the West. Consequently, the country was divided between supporters and non-supporters of modernization. Some of the government officials who …show more content…
Before, Japan never saw the importance of achieving a higher educational status. Education was seen as a finical burden to the class living in poverty. There was a substantially large gap between social classes, which was divided between wealthy and educated or poor and uneducated. In 1872, the Ministry of Education was established. It was the first educational regulation system in Japan. The educational the Meji had implemented following the American model. Schools in Japan consisted of three distinct levels, which were elementary, middle, and universities. This allowed everyone to have a general education.
The Meji Restoration brought major changes economically, socially, and politically. Firstly and foremost, Japan adopted a Constitution from the West. Economically, the government led Japan to develop into a modernized country. The banking and educational systems you see in modern day Japan, were also instituted during the restoration period. The late 19th century can be considered as Japan’s first step as a nation to achieve modernization and power status amongst the