The Struggle for Balance: Democracy versus Expansionism
The clash between democratic aspirations and expansionist policies defined Japan’s trajectory. Victorious in conflicts with China and Russia, Japan’s imperial ambitions conflicted with domestic calls for greater democracy.
Economic growth and colonial expansion tempered the spread of democracy at home, setting Japan on a collision course with its colonized territories.
Chapter 7: The Meiji Restoration| Class 11 History Notes
In the mid-19th century, Japan found itself at a crossroads. Isolationist policies gave way to external pressure, notably from the United States under Commodore Matthew Perry, demanding trade and diplomatic relations. The ensuing treaties shattered Japan’s isolation, opening its doors to the world and sparking internal turmoil.
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