Courses

In just a century, Japan transformed from an isolated samurai society into a global powerhouse as it rapidly modernized and embraced industrialization. What drove this dramatic rise, and how did its people adapt to such rapid change? This course traces Japan’s evolution from the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1868—which ended 250 years of feudal rule—to Meiji-era (1868–1912) reforms that dismantled the samurai class, embraced Western political and economic systems, and propelled the nation onto the global stage. By the early 20th century, victories over China and Russia cemented Japan’s status as an imperial power, setting the foundation for its expansion across Asia and eventual defeat in World War II. Through political documents, firsthand accounts, and scholarly debates, we will examine the forces that shaped Japan’s rise and led to conflict with the West. We’ll explore how US-led occupation reforms attempted to restructure Japanese society, setting the stage for postwar conflicts about national identity and its role in international affairs.