Question

How did the spread of nationalism impact Japan during the 19th century?

Answer 1

Hint: The late 19th century was the period where nationalism became the influential ideology in Japan. This was known as the Meiji period, lasting from 1868 to 1912. The influence of the military started increasing in this period due to the militaristic associations with nationalism.

Complete answer: During the Meiji period, the constitution defined allegiance and the duty of the Japanese people to the country as the highest form of duty for a person. This heightened nationalism was not just an influence of the philosophy of the military but the expansionist motives of the Western powers were also the reason behind such influence.

In this period, Japan became an expansionist and imperialist power who controlled Korea and parts of Japan with territorial hegemony. The militaristic nationalism that surged through the country made them go to war with China and many other neighbouring countries in order to dominate the region.

Even though the Meiji period is said to have ended in 1912, the nationalism, called bushido in Japanese, did not end there. The military rule continued till the end of the second world war. The attack on Pearl Harbour is seen as a military disaster in the history of this nationalistic ideology which had started to urn into totalitarionism by the advent of 20th century.

Note: Even Japan, like China, had been forced into unequal treatise by the Western powers. The reason for such domination was seen as the economic disparity and military expectation that the governments had that time and nationalism was seen as a way of promoting Japanese industries to cover the economic disparities which would in turn cover the military requirements.