Comparing the industrialization of Britain and Japan

Two ships can arrive at the same destination; however that does not necessarily mean that they used the same route on their journey. Such is the same with the industrialization of Britain and Japan. Both rose to become the two great pioneers of the modern world; however the paths they took to success were different. This paper will compare Japan and Britain, exploring the causes of its industrialization, and how the countries drastically changed because of it. What sets Britain’s industrialization process apart from Japans is that it did not have a role model to base its development on; it was the first industrial nation. Therefore the cause of its industrialization must have much
Because of the large production of iron and the supply of tools, industries were able to expand at a great speed (Live science, 2012). By the early eighteen hundreds, steam engines were improved to become more compact, allowing it to be brought out of factories. This was the start of the steam train. This fast form of transportation allowed goods and supplies to travel at a great speed, which was again another factor that contributed to the increase in industries (Live science, 2012). Though the modern thinking of using machinery to produce large amounts to sell to those in demand was the basis of Britain industrializing, what made it so easy was its geography. Its large deposits of coal powered the steam engines, an opening doorway to various industries and a catalyst to the rate of industrial growth as discussed. Despite this, the speed of which Britain industrialized was much slower than Japan, a country that already had a set example and did not have to develop their own technology over years. Unlike Britain, where the main cause of industrialization was its geographical advantages, Japan was mentally compelled to industrialize by a sense of national pride and fear of being taken over. Just like Britain, Japan is an island nation however they were isolated for nearly two hundred and fifty years; they cut off communication with the rest of the world (Hyperhistory.net, 2010). During that time period, the Japanese flourished in culture and