publications
Uhren und Kanonen für ein Reich um Umbruch, in: NZZ Geschichte 51 (2024), 68–77.
Uhren und Kanonen für ein Reich um Umbruch
in: NZZ Geschichte 51 (2024), 68–79.
The Swiss journal NZZ Geschichte has published some new thoughts from my side on the surprising role of Swiss industrialists in Japan’s Meiji revolution. I’m excited to see new interest in this topic, perhaps due to the celebrated 160th anniversary of Swiss-Japanese diplomatic relations this year. What goes largely unnoticed is the fact that this story begins with an unequal treaty.
The Japanese were fairly uninterested in Switzerland and its watches at that time. “According to our atlas, this country appears to be a small country situated between Germany, France and Italy,” says a government protocol. “The Swiss arrived on an ordinary merchant ship, although he claims the position of an envoy. We therefore believe it right to take this matter less seriously than the requests of major powers.”
Yet, amidst the diplomatic pressure and military threats from Western nations, the shogunate gave in and granted the delegation of five Swiss businessmen the treaty privileges of a great power.
Thanks to Lea Haller and Daniele DiFalco, editors at NZZ Geschichte for their resourceful help!