Why did Japan so abruptly shift from under-developed isolation to modernization & empire? The US Navy got their attention in 1853, but what was the specific Japanese logic behind this dramatic change of trajectory? Was it one decision, a series of decisions, or not a “decision” at all? | AskHistorians Archive Observer

Why did Japan so abruptly shift from under-developed isolation to modernization & empire? The US Navy got their attention in 1853, but what was the specific Japanese logic behind this dramatic change of trajectory? Was it one decision, a series of decisions, or not a “decision” at all?

by Tough_Guys_Wear_Pink

Jtwil2191

While you wait for another response, here's something from the FAQ that may interest you:

Japan managed to catch up very quickly in science and physics in the early 1900s, how did they accomplish this? by /u/ParallelPain and /u/wotan_weevil