James Otis rallying of what he termed taxation without representation being a tyranny prevailed at the end of the American Revolution. This became the watchwords of that period. The American independence came out of the tax revolt that was rallied by James Otis. The main complain was about how American colonist could pay taxes to England without being represented in the English parliament. England had imposed different kinds of taxes that required Americans to pay them directly to England. The taxes were considered highly arbitrary and punitive and were adopted without the consent of American colonists. This was the main factor that propagated American independence. The American Revolution was a war that led to colonies winning political independence and the colonies formed the United States of America (Cogliano, 2010).
The Meiji Restoration, on the other hand, was a political revolution in Japan that ended the demise of the Tokugawa government and restored normalcy imperial rule under the Mutsuhito emperor. The Meiji Restoration was characterized by major political, economic and social change and it brought about modernization and westernization in Japan. The restoration was somehow similar to the American Revolution. It was considered a coup in the ancient capital of Kyoto. The restoration was in a kind of way seeking political independence from Tokugawa Yoshinobu. The rem Restoration then Japan was the political changes that brought about power to the imperial house.
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Political systems during the American Revolution were characterized by conflicts that were brought about between the French and Indian war. This war changed the relationship that Great Britain had towards North American colonies. Although conflicts prevailed during this time, the English rule proclaimed that rebellion and independent were not issues on the political agendas. The American Revolution developed formed a republican form of government before the Revolution America was ruled by a monarchial and colonial political system. In the Meiji Restoration, it brought about the return of emperor ruling. The Restoration just like the American Revolution resulted into the end of Japan’s feudal system of government and returned the emperor system of government. The Restoration propelled Japan to a modern era of a political system. Years of peace and prosperity existence after the Meiji Restoration just like the American Revolution that brought about Political Independence from Great Britain (Horie, 1937).
The difference that exists between the American Revolution and the Meiji Restoration is the form of government that ruled after that. In America, the republican form of government took over the monarchial system of government. The republican form of government was characterized by the rule of law and representative democracy, which involved the first 13 colonies. The direct imperial rule under Mutsuhito was a different one because it was ruled by the Meiji oligarchy who overthrew the Tokugawa. It was not based on the rule of law but peace and prosperity prevailed.
The economy in Japan had to change rapidly because the government that took over during the Meiji restoration realized that it needed to become more modernized in order to compete against western nations. The Meiji restoration brought about changes in sectors including trade, banking, and taxation that helped achieve economic change. The industries transformed for the better and hence creating a better economy. The Meiji Restoration brought about reforms that included new railroads that joined all major islands and hence boosted trade in different regions. Shipping, telegraphs and communication systems were improved and bigger water harbors were established to allow bigger ships. This had a significant boost in the economy and its growth. More consumer productions were created during the Meiji Restoration. Productions of silk, gunpowder, textiles, and glass were boosted up during the Restoration (Swale, 2009).
The American Revolution, on the other hand, is contrasted to the Meiji Restoration for the economic change it brought about American citizens. However, economic changes were not immediate, because the economy was in shambles after the country-experienced years of war and deaths of many peoples. The war caused destruction of farms that were once a major contributor to the economy. Economic change was witnessed as industrialization picked up slow and some artisans expanded their workshops, ironworks, and mills. The Louisiana Purchase opened up the areas in the North and East of New Orleans. The Northeast region experienced industrial development and economic growth started kicking off. This is in contrast to the Meiji restoration that brought instant economic growth with Japan at that period gaining economic growth. Due to huge losses that were brought about during the American Revolution, economic growth took time to pick up and industrialization started after some years.
Prior to the Meiji restoration, Japanese people lived underclass restrictions of warriors, farmers, artisans, merchants, and the commoners. Uprisings by peasants had become a common thing in the previous regime before the restoration. During the Restoration, these classes were dropped and a modern education system created a room for social mobility. Education in Japan became a universal provision for all citizens and education was offered on an equal basis. After the American Revolution, America formed a new form of government a Republican government that was characterized by a representative democracy. This form of government created social classes. The capitalist system brought about the rich, middle-class and the poor. As industrialization kicked in the social classes began to distinguish themselves. The farmers who relied on farms for their income became the middle class and the individuals who embraced industrialization became rich. Education was also experienced after the revolution, people developed interests to acquire education.
References
Cogliano, F. D. (2010). Revisiting the American Revolution. History Compass , 8 (8), 951-963. doi:10.1111/j.1478-0542.2010.00705.x
Horie, Y. (1937). The economic significance of the Meiji restoration. Kyoto University Economic Review. 12, 63-81.
Swale, A. D. (2009). The Meiji Coup d’État. The Meiji Restoration , 57-86. doi:10.1057/9780230245792_3
