During the early years of the Meiji restoration (around 1873), several members of the government thought the country was ready for a foreign war. I assume they thought this would unite the country and gain the support of discontent ex-samurais for the goverment.
IOTL, the plans were aborted, and the pro-war fraction was separeted from the government. The predominant idea was that trhe country wasn't yet redy for something of the sort.
But what if things had gone otherwise? Would Japan have won? Would the main powers have intervened? Would the government have been strenghtened or weakened? Would a victory have lead Japanese leaders into believing no further reform was necessary? Thoughts?
IOTL, the plans were aborted, and the pro-war fraction was separeted from the government. The predominant idea was that trhe country wasn't yet redy for something of the sort.
But what if things had gone otherwise? Would Japan have won? Would the main powers have intervened? Would the government have been strenghtened or weakened? Would a victory have lead Japanese leaders into believing no further reform was necessary? Thoughts?