"This land is mine, this land is free, I'll do what I want but i do irresponsibly
             It's evolution, baby!"
             Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam
             "Do the Evolution", from the album Yield
             "The Whole world will be different soon."
             Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam
             "Brain of J," from the album Yield
            
             What does it mean to become modern? According to the Webster's Dictionary the appropriate definition of modern (for the purpose of this paper at least) is "modern artistic or literary philosophy and practice; especially : a self-conscious break with the past and a search for new forms of expression." The two countries we studied went through some "revolutionary" changes in their transition into modernity. Some of these changes occurred in the beliefs, values, representations of their respective countries. These changes included a shake-up of the social order, and the changing of the political guard. Based on the name of the course, one can presume much of these changes started in the most important city of both countries, their capitals of Paris and Tokyo.
             This essay will explore the nature of the Old Regime France and Tokugawa Japan, such as its culture, its government, its society and its beliefs. This will show the radical change in the make up of the country. Next, this paper will explain how both France and Japan became modern. This includes the fall of the Old Regime in France otherwise known as the French Revolution, which called for a new government and the fall of the monarchial rule. In Japan this was the change in government, and in its social order. Finally this paper will explore the ramifications of these changes. Were these changes for the better of both countries, or were they for the worse?
             The Old Regime of France was much like any of the other European nations of the time. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, the majority of Europe was an agrarian society. Similar to the other European nation, France w...