The IR in Japan  Japan’s Emperor ruled in splendor  At the same time, rival clans battled for control of the countryside  Local warlords and Buddhist temples formed armed bands loyal to them, not to the central government

The IR in Japan  A Feudal System arose that was dominated by a warrior aristocracy  The Emperor was powerless, though revered figurehead  Real power was held by the Shogun, or Supreme Military Commander

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The IR in Japan  The Shogun distributed land to vassal lords (Daimyo or Warrior Lords) who agreed to support him with their armies  Daimyo granted land to lesser lords (Samurai or Those Who Serve) who were the fighting aristocracy

The IR in Japan  1598 Saw an ambitious Daimyo, Tokugawa, defeat all rivals for power and became Shogun  Tokugawa founded the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan until 1868

The IR in Japan  Centralized Feudalism: All power was centralized in the government, but some forms of feudalism remained  For control, Daimyo had to live in the capital  Shogun forbad Daimyo to repair their castles

The IR in Japan  Only Samurai could serve in the military or hold government jobs  Peasants had to stay on the land  Peace, new tools, fertilizer, and seeds brought large harvests

The IR in Japan  Food surpluses supported rapid population growth (sound familiar?)  Towns sprang up around castles of Daimyo  Towns grew into large cities and artisans and merchants flocked there to supply the needs of Daimyo

 As trade flourished, new roads were built between cities. (Infrastructure?)  Like the Lords and Knights, the Daimyo were rich in land, but had little money  The merchant class grew tired of being on the bottom of the social ladder, even though they were wealthier than everyone else

The IR in Japan  Prestigious positions were given only to nobles  Peasants suffered under heavy taxes  Commodore Matthew Perry, United States Navy, sailed into Tokyo Bay and demanded Japan open its ports to trade.

 Japan had been closed for centuries, but they couldn’t withstand the might of the U.S.  With the U.S. and other countries pushing Japan around, a revolt ensued that removed the Shogun  The Emperor was determined to strengthen Japan against the West

The IR in Japan  Their motto: “A Rich Country, A Strong Military”  They set out to study Western ways and beat them at their own game  They studied Western government, economics, technology, and customs

 They brought experts from the west and sent young samurai to study in Europe and the U.S.  The Japanese studied telegraphs, factories, refineries, political parties  1889 The Emperor issued Japan’s first Constitution:

The IR in Japan  All citizens were equal before the law, but the Emperor had autocratic power (autocracy)  The Legislature was limited, as was suffrage  The Samurai were no longer the only warriors, now every man was subject to military service

The IR in Japan  The government set up a banking system, built railroads and telegraphs, improved ports  Manufacturing sprang up rapidly, as did the factory system  Industry was booming by the 1890’s and large mining operations were in full swing

The IR in Japan  Population grew rapidly, people flocked to the cities for work  The government set up schools and universities, and hired westerners to teach in them  Japan went on, with its new industrial might, to found an empire

EMPERORKING SHOGUNLORDS DAIMYO LESSER LORDS SAMURAIKNIGHTS PEASANTS & ARTISANS PEASANTS MERCHANTS