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Difficulty: EasyRise of Modern Nationalism and Nation-State Unification

"It is said that heaven does not create one man above or below another man. Therefore, all men are created equal... The only difference between the wise and the foolish, the rich and the poor, is a matter of education... If a nation wishes to secure its independence and become strong, it must encourage learning and build its national strength from within. In the current era, when Western nations are expanding their influence across Asia, each individual must understand their duty to the nation. Only by fostering a sense of shared national identity and modernization can we preserve our country's sovereignty and stand as an equal among the powers of the world."

— Fukuzawa Yukichi, Japanese reformist and scholar, *An Encouragement of Learning*, 1872

The perspective expressed in the passage is best understood as a response to which of the following historical developments?

  1. A
    The direct colonization and political administration of Japan by Western empires
  2. B
    The complete replacement of Japanese cultural identity by Western social customs
  3. The growth of Western military and economic influence in East AsiaAnswer
  4. D
    The spread of Marxist ideology demanding the radical redistribution of property

Answer

The growth of Western military and economic influence in East Asia
The correct option is correct because the Meiji Restoration and the rise of Japanese state-sponsored nationalism were catalyzed by the arrival of Western powers and the threat of foreign domination. Japanese leaders and intellectuals realized that they needed to modernize their state, economy, and military to defend their sovereignty, which led to the creation of a modern nation-state.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the source and content of the stimulus document.
The passage is written by a Japanese reformist in 1872, during the early Meiji Restoration, emphasizing national strength, education, and sovereignty in the face of Western expansion in Asia.
To establish the historical context of the document.
2
Connect the text's focus on national strength and sovereignty to the broader historical developments of the late 19th century.
The threat of Western imperial expansion pressured Japan to modernise and foster a unified national identity to maintain its independence.
To identify the correct cause of the nationalist sentiments expressed by the author.
3
Evaluate the options to identify the correct response.
The growth of Western military and economic influence in East Asia aligns with the author's reference to Western nations expanding their influence and the need to preserve sovereignty.
To confirm the correct historical context being tested.

Key Concept

Response of non-Western states to Western imperialism through modernization and nationalism
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Rise of Modern Nationalism and Nation-State Unification

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