modernize

The definition of **modernization** is to make modern; or give a new modern character or appearance to, to adopt modern ways and views.

Mutsuhito believed that the only way to stop western influence was to modernize. He sent diplomates to Europe and America to study the western ways so they could pick and choose what they wanted to change. They chose the best aspects of western civilization to adapt to their own culture.

Modern ideas used by the Japanese:
 * Germany's highly disciplined army
 * Great Britian's skilled navy
 * America's system of universal education (required all children to get schooling)
 * Industrialized

Japan built it's first railroad in 1872, and they also built thousands of factories. By the twentieth century Japan's economy was as modernized as any western civilization.

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