Summer DBQ

Noah Brown
Summer DBQ


Soon after the west's rise to power, a great amount of western influence spread to the eastern Asian countries, particularly Japan. Although the Japanese did not completely replicate the western styles, the fact that the Japanese borrowed so much is significant in showing the rise in influence that coupled the west's rise to power.
The Japanese Constitution of the Empire of Japan (Document #3) shows the different laws and rights of the Japanese people. Many of these laws, however, are very similar or identical to the laws of Western societies, especially concerning the rights and duties of subjects. During the Treaty of Portsmouth (Document #11), America acts as a kind of overseer during Japan's dealings with the Russians, debating over Manchuria. However, as America acts as a sort of role-model for the Japanese government, America does not want the Japanese to come into America because they are afraid of overpopulation, race contests, and violence (Document #1).
Document #10 shows the optimistic side of a Japanese man on tour in America. This man recognized the opportunity to trade with America via sea trade with Japan to California. This was beneficial for both societies, as it provided wealth and trade routes for Japan, and cut the shipping costs of goods for California by a large amount.
To better understand the influence of Western society on Japan, we can take a look at the Mei Prefectural Normal School (Document #2). It is clear in this document that western architecture has had an impact on Japan because the building has pillars, as well as very square windows. Japanese schools also took to the western way of having three periods of school which are similar to pre, middle, and high school (Document #6). Besides school, after Japan allowed Westerners to enter Japan, they had a new found competition with western business. With the new competition and extra opportunities to make a profit, silk and coal production in Japan skyrocketed (Document #7). Most of the trade was not conducted on the mainland, but was done by sea travel (Document #12).
Trade, architecture and education were not the only things that came out of Japan's connection with the Western world. New industrialized ships, along with new weapons of warfare such as bayonets were included. Western fighting styles were also incorporated into the Japanese way of battle (Document 9).
Although the Japanese and western customs were not entirely alike, the Japanese did, however, borrow many laws and styles of fighting, architecture, and family life. This is significant in showing how far the west's hegemony has spread.
An additional document that would be useful would be another one on the Japanese fighting styles, seeing as document 9 was somewhat vague.