Reform Some of the most fundamental changes occurred immediately after the American occupation. War crime trials were conducted in Tokyo, the Japanese military was dismantled and efforts were undertaken to transform the economy into a free market capitalist system by introducing land reform and to break up large business conglomerates in an attempt to distribute resources and allocate wealth more evenly throughout the economy. (Kumano, 2007) The most substantial change came with the creation of a new constitution in 1947. This new constitution took away political power from the emperor leaving him in office only as a figurehead. The new constitution gave more power to the parliament system, took away the right to wage war, and promoted more privileges and better rights for women.
What were the bases for economic growth in post-WWII East Asia? (Focusing on Japan 1945-) After World War II, Japan is known to have pulled itself out of the difficult consequences that were brought upon from the war. With hard work, Japan became one of the richest, respected and stable countries. The path to recovery wasn’t an easy ride or just a “miracle” as many have viewed it. This essay will discuss the two phases of Japan’s post World War II economic growth.
Rifle guns and canons would be the most popular sources of weaponry in warfare to date. They have evolved overtime and have become better, increasing in power, speed, and quantity therefore leaving a big impact. 2.Why were the Europeans the people who were able to conquer so many of the world’s greatest civilizations and control so much of the world? Based off of the film it would be safe to say that Europeans were able to conquer and control most of the world because off natural advantage. Looking into the geography of Europeans they were able to easily advance with their crops and production and the domestication of animals therefore producing a more stable society above all others so as they advanced they were able to take what they know and conquer neighboring lands.
New inventions dramatically helped the quality of life. New technologies in agriculture, cloth-making, etc. all proved to be highly useful innovations. Along with material improvements came cultural improvements in things like theater, writing, and even the written language. Trading and marketing flourished, while small enterprises became large ones.
It was said that a nations greatness was derived from a great navy that was ran well and had multiple strategies. Most of the US greatness in their navy was from the influence they received from the book The Influence of Sea Power upon History. Mahan believed in bringing together certain elements. His elements were trade, as well as a merchant to do the trading, a navy, navy base, and lastly, an empire. His elements allowed the US to establish a thriving navy that would grow to be successful.
A majority of the people understood what the benefits of modernization for Japan would be. There were groups who were against the Western ideology. One of these groups was the Samurai. Under the previous Tokugawa regime, the samurai were the highest of the four social classes. Japan’s new direction included abolition of the old ordered class system; “even the consultative assembly of samurai, though it continued in a modified form, was allowed to fall into disguise” (Beasley 102).
It had a banking system; People were able to get back loans easily which encouraged people to invest in new machinery, railroads, and factories. Businesses were well protected by Parliament laws. Great Britain built a strong navy to protect its empire and overseas trade. There was no internal trade barrier, which encouraged internal British trade and circulation of good, thus strengthens Britain’s domestic economy. The demands for goods increased as farmers started to move from rural farms to urban cities.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan experienced the Meiji Restoration with the intent of imperialism and exploration, which concluded a 250 year period of isolation from the rest of the world [lecture]. Japan was now entering the modern world and had a lot of catching up to do, but that didn't seem to slow them down. Ultimately, Japan sought out to avoid becoming another part of the expanding European empire, and they would do that by earning international equality and recognition. In order to do so, Japan's leaders set up the country for imperial expansion through the rigorous modernization of their political, educational, social, industrial, and military institutions. Japan had been governing themselves by means of a feudal system since the 11th century [lecture], which all citizens inherently knew their place in society and their expectations.
The Tokugawa Shogunate reign sparked the development of a unified Japan; as opposed to clans. Later on with the Meiji era, nationalism, industrialization, and a fortified military, were all ideologies that consumed Japan until their subsequent loss of World War II. The end of that war marked the end of Japan's identity of being imperialistic. Out of this defeat and occupation though, Japan emerged with a new found identity and it traveled through the years of occupation, reconstruction, and the Cold War. It was the Tokugawa Shogunate era that began to unify most of Japan.
However, many of these aristocrats died on battle, without leaving a heir, which gave all their lands to the king, this greatly increased the kings power. Islam affected Europe’s economy greatly. Before the Crusades, Europe’s technology was simple. At the time, Islamic groups had some of the most advanced technology around. Europeans used many of these technologies from their enemies, many of these increased trade and helped their economy grow.