The Modern Period, c. 1750 to c. 1914: 5.4: The Second Industrial Revolution (Sources 1–8)

The Meiji Restoration was a political transition that replaced the feudal government (the Tokugawa shogunate) in Japan with a unified, imperial government in 1868. (Source 3)

The Meiji Restoration was a political transition that replaced the feudal government (the Tokugawa shogunate) in Japan with a unified, imperial government in 1868. (Source 3)

All classes, high and low, shall unite in vigorously carrying out the administration of affairs of state. (Source 3)

The common people, no less than the civil and military officials, shall each be allowed to pursue his own calling so that there may be no discontent. (Source 3)

This station opened outside Tokyo in 1872 as the terminus of Japan’s first railway line, which was developed by the government. (Source 4)

Japan’s steel, iron, shipbuilding and coal-mining industries made great strides from the end of the Edo Period (1603–1867) until the end of the Meiji Period (1868–1912). (Source 5)

[T]he No. 1 blast furnace was completed, blown-in the following year, and began operating in 1901. (Source 5)

Just a year and a half later, however, the No. 1 blast furnace was shut down, plagued by inadequate funding, construction problems and poor operating technology. (Source 5)

Just a year and a half later, however, the No. 1 blast furnace was shut down, plagued by inadequate funding, construction problems and poor operating technology. (Source 5)

The No. 3 blast furnace—the first built solely by Japanese—stabilized immediately after going online in 1909. (Source 5)

The Germans have toiled at their desks, and made their sons do likewise; they have kept a strict controlling hand on all the strings of their businesses; they have obtained State aid in several ways; they have insinuated themselves in every part of the world—patiently studying the wants and tastes of several peoples. (Source 6)

The Germans have toiled at their desks, and made their sons do likewise; they have kept a strict controlling hand on all the strings of their businesses; they have obtained State aid in several ways; they have insinuated themselves in every part of the world—patiently studying the wants and tastes of several peoples. (Source 6)

In a word, an industrial development, unparalleled, save in England a century ago, is now Germany’s portion. (Source 6)

A gigantic commercial state is arising to menace our prosperity, and contend with us for the trade of the world. (Source 6)

A gigantic commercial state is arising to menace our prosperity, and contend with us for the trade of the world. (Source 6)

Germany is yet in her industrial infancy; and the healthiest infant can do but poor battle against a grown man. (Source 6)

Technical changes had virtually perfected the steam locomotive by 1914, though other sources of rail [motor] power, based on the diesel engine and electricity, were by then in use. (Source 7)

Technical changes had virtually perfected the steam locomotive by 1914, though other sources of rail [motor] power, based on the diesel engine and electricity, were by then in use. (Source 7)

Technical changes had virtually perfected the steam locomotive by 1914, though other sources of rail [motor] power, based on the diesel engine and electricity, were by then in use. (Source 7)

The Japanese had quickly adopted railways among other technological importations from the European world. (Source 7)

Few areas of the inhabitable world could not be approached to within a reasonable distance by rail when the century began. (Source 7)

This affected the movement of goods as well as that of people, and particularly goods in bulk, and therefore the growing of crops and location of industry. (Source 7)

The speeding up of the flow of information was still proceeding, and at an accelerating pace, as the twentieth century began. (Source 7)

A merchant conducting business with the Far East in 1801 had been obliged to wait at best for four or five months for a question to be answered. (Source 7)

His successor in 1901 could have his answer within twenty or thirty minutes, if he needed it. (Source 7)