The Meiji Resoration of Japan

The Meiji Restoration accord during the later part of the 19th century. It was started by Emperor Meiji after the previous Emperor allowed American ships to dock in Japan to re-supply. It was cause by this because first: the Emperor broke one of their most important laws which stated that Japan will not make contact with the rest of the world, but mainly the Restoration came about because when the American's came in their steam ships the new Emperor Meiji saw how far behind Japan was with the rest of the world.
He wanted Japan to regain its position as seeming to be the most advanced and best country of the world which is why the law that no one in Japan would make contact with the other countries. He sent 'spies' to other countries to learn from their advances and then bring the information back to Japan so they could adapt it to their culture. From the moment they agents stepped on a boat their mission started as they went around the ship and drew detailed plans on the function of all the mechanisms.
When they reached their country they visited factories and some military facilities and took very detailed notes on how everything was organized and how everything worked. After they gathered as much info as they could or all that they needed they would go back to japan and workers would start building off the notes and any blue prints they brought back. You could say this all started because of Japan's jealousy that they were no longer the best.