Japanese Imperialism Dbq Analysis

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The idea of imperialism was spreading worldwide in the 19th and 20th century. European countries like Great Britain were colonizing other countries throughout the globe. Many Asian countries chose to shut out the spread of pop culture in order to conserve their folk cultures. While Great Britain and Japan both industrialized and became imperialistic powers, they had distinct differences in geographic location and limitations which affected the level of their power.

Great Britain is located in Europe, near more westernized countries, which allowed them to advance at a faster rate. Western culture mean advancement and industrialization, thus the riddance of folk culture. Since Great Britain westernized at the same time all of the other countries
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However, Japan eventually Westernized in the period of the Meiji Restoration where Japan became open to ideas of modernization and adapted to Western ideals. In order to keep from becoming a colonized country and saving their culture from the west, Japan took the initiative to become one. (Doc. 8) Since Japan was late to modernization, many of the other powers especially Russia, did not think anything of Japan. Eventually, Japan would establish themselves as one of the world's leading powers following the Russo-Japanese war. They had the advantage of one of the most powerful navies of modern times that was formed by recruiters from their fishing industry. They were eventually the most powerful nation in Eastern Asia gaining the land of some Asian countries such as; Manchuria, Korea, and parts of China. (Doc. 9)

The countries of Japan and Great Britain both became leading world powers at a different pace in different ways. Great Britain had an advantage in this case because of their close proximity to other western nations and their already ingrained Western culture. Japan had ideals of their own folk culture but modernized in order to save themselves from becoming a colonized