1. BISMARCK’S EUROPE NATIONALISM AND MODERNITY OF ASIA Who was Bismarck? Otto von Bismarck was chiefly responsible for the unification and rise of the modern German Empire in the nineteenth century. At home, his political leadership both opposed the growth of democracy and encouraged the growth of a modern, industrial economy. In foreign affairs, he led his nation through a series of wars that culminated in the emergence of a German Empire but that also began creating the circumstances causing the outbreak of World War I in Otto von Bismarck served as Prime Minister (Chancellor) of Prussia and then Germany from 1862 until 1890. He gained fame as the principal force behind the unification of Germany which, under his leadership, became one of the most economically powerful nations in Europe. His political and diplomatic maneuvers were characterized by Realpolitik, a strategy of isolating one’s enemy, rallying others to cripple it, and then reconciling with the defeated party. It was a strategy that proved to be effective, but it also alienated many political opponents and other European nations. Starting in 1862, Bismarck led Prussia in a series of brief wars with Denmark, Austria, and France. In each of these wars, the number of German states under Prussian influence grew. As a result of the defeat of France in the 1871 Franco-Prussian War. Bismarck paid his attention to modernizing the German government and economy. He made changes to the bureaucracy, law, and education reflecting the economic and technological changes of the time. Bismarck’s Germany was home to the first social welfare program which provided health and disability insurance. Bismarck also used his influence to attack organized religion, in particular the Catholic Church. Bismarck’s political career came to an end in 1890 when he resigned as the result of a dispute with Germany’s new emperor, Wilhelm II.
2. EUROPE'S COLONIAL EXPANSION, 1820-1939 European countries began exploring and seeking to dominate the rest of the world during the 15th and 16th centuries, thanks to their ability to control sea routes and to the discovery of the American continent. In the 19th century, energized by the industrial revolution and under pressure from a rapidly growing population, Europe launched a new period of colonial expansion, inspired by the discovery of new markets, new areas for the settlement of Europe’s poor migrants, and the desire to “civilize the barbarian nations ".
3. MODERNIZATION IN JAPAN The Demand for Foreign Trade Beginning in the early 19th century, Westerners tried to convince the Japanese to open their ports to trade. British, French, Russian, and American officials occasionally anchored off the Japanese coast. Like China, however, Japan repeatedly refused to receive them. Then, in 1853, U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry took four ships into what is now Tokyo Harbor. These massive black wooden ships powered by steam astounded the Japanese. The ships’ cannons also shocked them. The Tokugawa shogun realized he had no choice but to receive Perry and the letter Perry had brought from U.S. president Millard Fillmore. Fillmore’s letter politely asked the shogun to allow free trade between the United States and Japan. Perry delivered it with a threat, however. He would come back with a larger fleet in a year to receive Japan’s reply. That reply was the Treaty of Kanagawa of 1854. Under its terms, Japan opened two ports at which U.S. ships could take on supplies.
4. Meiji Reform and Modernization: The Japanese were angry that the shogun had given in to the foreigners’ demands. They turned to Japan’s young emperor, Mutsuhito, who seemed to symbolize the country’s sense of pride and nationalism. In 1867, the Tokugawa shogun stepped down, ending the military dictatorships that had lasted since the 12th century. Mutsuhito took control of the government. He chose the name Meiji for his reign, which means “enlightened rule.” Mutsuhito’s reign, which lasted 45 years, is known as the Meiji era. The Meiji emperor realized that the best way to counter Western influence was to modernize. He sent diplomats to Europe and North America to study Western ways. The Japanese then chose what they believed to be the best that Western civilization had to offer and adapted it to their own country.
5. OTTOMAN EMPIRE: TANZIMAT ERA The Tanzimat reforms were carried out between 1830 and 1870 in the Ottoman Empire. They were a wide ranging series of educational, political and economic reforms. They were an attempt at modernisation to stop the decline of Ottoman power. The process of modernisation involved adopting models and practices of western countries and societies and it primarily motivated to compete western powers and preserve their Empire. The modernization process in the Ottoman Empire was a way of ensuring that they did not become the subjects of the western powers.[1] During the nineteenth century much of the world became subject to the western powers, especially Britain and France. The Tanzimat reforms were only partially successful and did not halt the Ottoman decline.
