A Comparison Study on Modernization in the Meiji Restoration and the Self-Strengthening Movement

Abstract: This essay explores modernization in Asia through the lens of the Meiji Restoration in Japan and the Self-Strengthening Movement in China during the nineteenth century. Japan and China, although with similar cultural, economic and social background and under similar contemporary contexts, took separate paths in modernization and therefore experienced very different outcomes. This comparative study starts by presenting into the historical contexts and looking into the pre-conditions under which both self-initiated modernization movements took place. Then, I examine relevant literatures covering both movements, as well as theories on modernization to achieve a definition of modernization. I subsequently use the definition of modernization to measure and analyze results achieved by the Meiji Restoration and the Self-Strengthening Movement. Finally, I concluded that the Self-Strengthening Movement failed to bring China to accomplish modernization while the Meiji Restoration succeeded to do so.