Nationalism and the Modernization of Japan

CrashCourse

In this installment of Crash Course World History, John Green explores the complex and transformative concept of nationalism during the 19th century. The video begins by defining the often-slippery concept of the "nation-state"—a centralized government exercising authority over a distinctive territory with a relatively homogeneous culture—and distinguishing it from earlier forms of empire and governance. Green explains how nationalism was not just a European phenomenon involving Germany or Italy, but a global shift that influenced regions from Egypt to India. The core of the video focuses on a detailed case study of Japan to illustrate how nationalism functions as a tool for modernization and survival. It traces Japan's history from the stability of the Tokugawa Shogunate, through the destabilizing arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry and American warships, to the revolutionary Meiji Restoration. Green details how the Japanese leadership dismantled the feudal samurai system to build a modern nation-state capable of resisting Western imperialism, largely by adopting Western methods like conscription and compulsory education. For educators, this video serves as an excellent anchor for units on the 19th century, political ideologies, or Asian history. It effectively connects abstract political theory (what makes a nation?) with concrete historical events (the end of the samurai). The video also addresses the "dark side" of nationalism, showing how domestic consolidation often leads to external aggression and imperialism, providing a nuanced view that avoids glorifying the concept.