Thomas Spence History Essay
Why are we at where we are now with technology and our lifestyles? It’s all because of our
history, the events from the past that created the present. The iPhone and all of the latest
technology wouldn’t exist if we didn’t have our history. In the time period of the 19th century to the
early 20th century, technological and social progress in Japan and America are what shaped their
countries both positively and negatively. There were improvements in Industrialization, changes
in Revolution and Imperialism. During this time, these countries had their similarities and
differences, in this essay I will compare them.
During the period of the 19th century to the early 20th century, Japan and America
improved their technology and industrialization significantly. These changes affected their
countries both positively and negatively. Japan enhanced their road systems, this made
transportation and trade much more easy and efficient. Japan’s economy improved significantly,
this was mainly because of farming and commercial crops. Farmers were making more and more
products such as food and milk and selling them. This became extremely popular and caused
more trade and more supply. The improvement in Japan’s economy gave them more money
therefore allowing them to further develop their technology. This is because they can then afford
all of the materials required. In America, there were massive developments in industrialization.
(Uchida, Short History of the Japanese Technology)
America created many inventions. In the year of 1903, the two Wright brothers invented the
first propelled airplane together. (Bellis, The History of Flight - The Wright Brothers) This invention
caused faster and more efficient transport. The Airplane avoids traffic and can fly to farther places
at a greater speed. However, it generates a lot of pollution and at the time was extremely
dangerous. At a similar point in time, the colt revolver was invented by the Americans. (Brown,
The Colt Revolver) The newly invented weapon created better combat for the military and the
police. This combat became easier because it is more powerful and can shoot longer distances.
However it is extremely dangerous and when in the wrong hands can put lives at risk. Criminals
started to buy this weapon secretly for high prices and crime became much easier. The lightbulb
was invented by the famous Thomas Edison creating light in darker places while it will not be
disturbed by wind like the candle. (Kelly, The Top 10 Significant Industrial Revolution Inventors)
Cars with more advanced technology and functions were being invented by car brands. However
these generated a lot of pollution and can cause more traffic on the roads because of increased
amount of cars on the road at the time. Another example is the typewriter, this was invented
making it easier and faster to write letters, messages and more. These are just examples of the
many developments in Japan and America.
At the time, America was developing much more rapidly then Japan. America was
discovering more inventions and they had more technology. This technology helped them with
imperialism, which I will mention later. I think America was developing better because of their
resources. Japan is an extremely small place compared to America. Japan is just a country while
North America and South America combine to create one massive American continent that
contains many resources. They have all that space! Even though there was their development
differences, both countries were building factories that created products and resources, this
helped their economies. Also health care and water transport were developing in both countries.
Health care such as new medicine and cures were created allowing more people to stay alive and
live happier in better condition. And the water transport allowed people to travel overseas. These
changes affected their countries both positively and negatively. The developments had their
benefits which came with a few consequences. The benefits affected their countries positively
and the consequences affected their countries negatively. These changes are what helped shape
their countries.
There was social progress in both Japan and The Americas, revolution. In Japan in the
year 1889 an event called The Meiji Constitution allowed men to take control of their family
properties, their marriages, such as divorcing and their children. This allowed them to have their
decisions on what they want but therefore women had less rights. Also in Japan, education
increased significantly due to the fact that foreigners such as Americans and Europeans moved
to the country for either teaching or learning, Later the capital city moved to Tokyo. These events
were mostly good for Japan and when the capital city changed, nothing happened.
(Henderson, Japan in the 19th Century)
In The Americas, there were some ups, and there were some downs. But those downs, all
had their own advantages. In South America and North America, slavery was abolished. No
slaves were being traded and no slaves were being used. (Slavery Museum, Abolition of Slavery
in The Americas) Also the Cholera disease was spread and caused a massive epidemic.
(McVeigh, Public Health and Technology in the 19th Century) Many died, but so many people
were paying for treatment. This gave doctors more money for technology, experimenting, and
treatment. The Great Railroad Strike in North America, this was a protest from millions of
unemployed workers about their unemployment and how little money they owned. (Digital History,
Industrialization and the Working Class)
Both places, Japan and The Americas, had a lot of revolution and were going through
changes. America was slightly ahead of Japan back then. Japan was still trying to get control of
the people in their country and setting down rules. But in Americas case, they had already done
this and was already moving on to having their people get a better lifestyle. But at the same time
they wanted more power, imperialism.
There was a lot of American and Japanese imperialism during the 19th to the early 20th
centuries. This mostly benefited both places. In the year 1876, Japan forces Korea to trade. (Life
in Korea, Pre-20th Century) In the exact same year, America bought Alaska from Russia for only
7.2 million US dollars and in 1959 it officially became a state. (The Library of Congress, Purchase
of Alaska) Japan was involved in a lot of wars. Japan defeated China in the Sino-Japanese war
for the control of Korea. The Japanese invaded and took over China. Actually, The United States
of America ordered Japan to invade China. Japan also crushed Russia in the Russo Japanese
war after they traveled halfway across the world. In 1910, Japan conquers Korea. (Henderson,
Japan in the 19th Century)
As you can see, Japan was involved in a lot more than America was. These are just
examples but it is true. In my opinion, The Americas were a lot smarter, they didn’t get
themselves in all of the wars and terror. They also bought Alaska for an excellent price. That
benefited them a lot. The Americans are quite successful now because of their decisions in the
past... Obviously it came with a bit of luck though.
Both of these places were developing at different rates. They both experienced different
events and changes. These changes either benefited their countries, or made them suffer a bit.
Most of the time, it did both. In the time period of the 19th century to the early 20th century,
technological and social progress in Japan and America are what shaped their countries both
positively and negatively.
Works Cited
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