free forum make a forum for free message boards free forum hosting free phpbb forum phpbb create free forum

abhatia · Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 37

The Europeans and Americans were as responsible for the rise of Japanese Imperialism as the Japanese themselves.

Free Forum

theshaver · Joined: 15 Feb 2012 Posts: 5

The rise of Japanese imperialism, although implemented by Japan, was heavily influenced by the Western World. The Japanese, once exposed to the race for land, status, wealth and power between the Western powers, were destined for imperialism. By structuring an imperialist government Japan was attempting to mimic the structure of European countries and the New World in America. In efforts to gain approval from the West Japan flung itself into battles over power and land, like the countries from which Japan found its new influence.

If Japan had continued to follow it's ancient policy of sakoku the country would never have entered into imperialist government and the island and it's people would be drastically different.

squashie · Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Posts: 22

Europe and America were just as responsible for Japanese imperialism as Japan was for itself. The West had acclaimed themselves as such great nations that Japan was practically dying to be apart of. Through the examples of helping out other unfortunate countries and having that power over those countries, definitely played a role in Japan trying to take over Asia.

mkim2013 · Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 9

To certain extent, some may say that it is not the fault of Western countries for the change and the rise of imperialism in Japan since Western countries had ceased to directly influence Japan from the 1865 when last Western diplomacy arrived. However, the the less foreign pressure Japan receives also means the less attention Western countries put into Japan. The reading mentions, "Once the foreign powers secured the rights they sought, they ceased bothering the Japanese with further demands" (79). Simply put, the Western countries, after getting what they demanded and wanted, were irresponsible of what they have created. The reading also includes how disgraceful Japan felt after signing the "unequal treaties" and how Japan later does the same thing to China and Korea. Not only Japan had learnt from the western countries to sign the unequal treaties but also they "forced" Korea to "open" just like what Americans had done to Japan. Since this point, when Japan started to acknowledge the power of imperialism, Japan finally realizes that it was necessary to "maintain national independence with strong army and navy". Overall, although not directly, the irresponsibility of western countries including America not taking care of Japan after restoration was the seed of the whole Japan's rise of imperialism.

wlotas2013 · Joined: 14 Nov 2011 Posts: 20

Basically, this post combines the information of the chapters read prior as well as the one for tonight. Through Commodore Perry, American influence over the Meiji Constitution, etc, Japan absorbs a specific set of ideas concerning the gain of power. The American/European influence also derives from Japan's progression up the global food chain. The Russo-Japanese War changes how larger nations perceive Japan and this is apparent to the Japanese. Having a global audience further motivates a country on the warpath. Japan strives for success to establish its name within the eyes of the major powers.

wlotas2013 · Joined: 14 Nov 2011 Posts: 20

Although, the exercising of Japan's political presence within Korea seemed to display a lack of sensitivity for the situation. Reforming a country in your accord is a delicate process which Japan approached rather aggressively.

rpulak2012 · Joined: 03 Dec 2011 Posts: 9

Japan sees the governments of the Western powers and due to their interest in the Western world they want to imitate this. They turn to Imperialism to accomplish this. We see the Japanese constitution, while similar in some ways to governing laws in the US and other Western countries, sets up an imperial system. Then there is the matter of the Sino-Japanese war and the Russian-Japanese war. Both of these are "intense" military conflicts that Japan uses to try to gain reputation in the Western world. The influence of the Western world brought Japan out of sakoku into an imperialist system.

JasonJeong · Joined: 20 Oct 2011 Posts: 13

There is no way that Western powers were responsible for Japanese Imperialism. Just because the West provided an example of practicing imperialism in the 20th century, it does not mean that they are as responsible as Japanese themselves. It is the Japanese themselves who decided to impose unequal treaties to other Asian nations and later conquer regions like Taiwan and Korea. It is their own fault, not others'.

FOR EXAMPLE,

If Warren hit me in the face, and then I turn around and hit Fredy in the face, Warren would have no responsibility for my violent actions. Warren (West) is only responsible for his actions. How I (Japanese) act is my responsibility.

lizzieyang · Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 14

I agree with most of what Alex has written above. On one side, it is Japan that chose to make decisions from opening their gates, restoring their government, modernizing the country, to colonizing neighboring nations. Still, Western countries brought enormous influence on Japan and took unforgettable actions that Japan brings those actions back to other countries. Japan forced China and Korea to sign unequal treaties, which they suffered from decades ago. Japan forced Korea to open its gate up by force and bothered with its peace, while Japan, herself had suffered from such harsh actions from European countries during the progression of sakoku.
Although not stated in the reading, Japanese racism against Chinese, Koreans, and other Asians probably come from the racism, many European countries and the United States had back then. Just because Western countries had the strongest army and the most developed cultures and governments, Japan emphasized that superiority by separating themselves from "bumbling, stupid, or cowardly adversaries" Chinese and Koreans.
This particular racism later becomes "dehumanizing" of the others. The way Japanese treated Chinese and Koreans to completely dominate the nations and restrict Korean from independence is unbelievably cruel.

Yqi2013 · Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 21

To some extent, the western countries did have some responsibility for Japan's imperialism. As European countries intruded (or about to intrude) China and Korea, Japan felt a strong threat that the Europeans might expand their power in Asia, leading Japan to become another prey of the western imperialistic power. It is quite understandable why Japan felt threatened. Although Japanese military developed tremendously through the Meiji restoration, Japanese leaders knew that the western counties were still ahead of them in economy, weaponry technology, etc. If Japan entered a war against Britain or France, Japan was likely to be defeated. Japan would be in a dangerous situation if the Europeans gained political power in Japan's neighbors, China and Korea. So Japan took actions to protect itself.
Although a big reason behind Japan's imperialistic actions was their idea of self-protection, no one could deny that Japan itself was an ambitious imperial power. Japan not only wanted China and Korea free from other countries' influence, but it also wanted to establish its own political control in those two countries. And the latter seemed to be their real motivation of declaring wars against China and Russia. Europeans and Americans triggered the imperialism resided in Japan, but they were not fully responsible for what Japan did.

shawks · Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 13

I would say that the West gave Japan more confidence. Japan already had potential, based on its resources, like coal and whales, but it wasn't aware of what it could really do until after Commodore Perry and other Westerners came in. It realized that just because it was a small island didn't mean that it couldn't be powerful. China and Russia were bigger countries, but Japan was more unified because of its smallness. It also followed European military strategies. The short answer to whether or not the West was responsible for Imperial Japan is yes. If Japan had never interracted with the West, it probably would have just continued to mind its own business.

Vsylva2012 · Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 6

The idea of of imperialism was very popular throughout history. Generally, imperial nations flourished and prospered, using their widespread influence for the benefit of their own country. From models of the past, people can derive that it is certainly beneficial to one's country to have imperial power. It allows you to have trading relationships with subjugated nations which sway greatly in your favor, giving your homeland an economic boost over the rest of the world. For example, Germany colonizing Africa for the sake of oil.
I believe that the imperialistic nations of the world (America, England, France, Russia, ect.) were just as much at fault for the empirializing of Japan as Japan itself was. The Japanese leaders saw from examples of how becoming an imperial power would aid them wholly, and thus jumped on the opportunity. To quote the reading: "International relations were governed by a struggle for the survival of the fittest..." The world worked(s) as a giant competition between nations. Now that sakoku is no longer in effect, Japan has entered into the enormous "Rat-race" that is Earth. They are now playing to win or die in the dog eat dog world the imperial powers have created. If Japan does not seek to spread their influence, they will become the victim in this scenario.

fxin · Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 10

I feel that the Europeans and the Americans had a lot to do with how japan became a imperial power. Firstly as said before many times that Japanese people were taught that they were better and that they would to be better on birth.

Secondly, their whole government used this type of inaccurate propaganding campaign to win the hearts of the people and thus has mislead the people to see the truth. Since the people of japan are constantly being exposed and are easy to

believe the prapaganding from their own government, when the western advertising helped to boost japan's over confidence. So I would highly consider the influence of the Americans and Europeans advertising.

Free Forum