Cuban Communism :: Communism Essays

â€Å"Japan’s imperial experience was different from that of the West in Asia and Africa in several fundamental ways.† (Bruce Cummings) Is it a valid categorisation of Japanese rule in Korea? Identify some of the main differences between Japanese colonialism and Western colonialism. Illustrate your answer with examples.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Imperialism has existed for many years and has displayed many differing forms. It is a naturally occurring event that has a vast and complex history. Major world powers have been striving to expand their relative power and at the same time provide for their people. From the earliest civilizations groups of individuals set out to improve their well being at the expense of others. When examining more modern imperialism there is little variation from this view. Countries all over the world depend on their colonies to meet the needs of their nation. The world has become transformed and many changes have occurred based on situations resulting from imperialism. There are processes towards basic imperialism that can be labelled as fundamental. Japan’s imperial experience in Korea, for example, differs from what the â€Å"West† experienced in Africa and Asia in several ways. The 19th and 20th centuries displayed a great amount of expansion and the countries of the West were hea vily responsible for this experience. Japan, however, played a key role in the history of imperialism as they joined in the fight for world power. First of all, Japan’s experience is different from the West’s in that it was more of a reactionary decision to expand, while the West had strong, rational motives to do so. Secondly, Japan’s choices in altering Korea’s society by such drastic measures are more powerful than how most of the West approached controlling their many colonies. Thirdly, the West did not have to deal with the outside interference and resistance that Japan was accustomed to near the end of their rule over Korea. Fourthly, Japan and Korea are two closely related countries. Their societies are similar and their geographical locations are very close to each other. The West, on the other hand, does not typically have this attachment with its colonies and the effects are noticeable. Lastly, because Japan had a history of Emperor worship the ways in which the country approached imperialism is affected in ways not applicable to the West. These differing aspects of rule displayed by Japan and the West clearly promote Bruce Cummings take on the matter of imperial experiences in the modern era.