Meiji Empire Part II

End of the Samurai Class Under the Meiji Empire Samurai lost all the privileges they had previously enjoyed. Under the Meiji Empire Samurai lost all the privileges they had previously enjoyed. They were no longer able to carry their swords in public. They were no longer able to carry their swords in public. Having conscription placed them in an army alongside peasants who had once been below them. Having conscription placed them in an army alongside peasants who had once been below them. They had lost all the power and honor they had once had. They had lost all the power and honor they had once had. New laws made it illegal to wear the “top knot” some Samurai were ridiculed in public and had their top knots forcibly removed. New laws made it illegal to wear the “top knot” some Samurai were ridiculed in public and had their top knots forcibly removed Satsuma rebellion was an effort by remaining Samurai to restore their traditional power. It was quickly put down by the new Imperial army

Meiji Empire Changes AT THE START AT THE START In 1868 when the Emperor was restored Japan had In 1868 when the Emperor was restored Japan had A weak military A weak military Mostly agricultural Mostly agricultural Little technology Little technology Controlled by hundreds of feudal lords Controlled by hundreds of feudal lords Japan was subject to unfair foreign treaties Japan was subject to unfair foreign treaties AFTER REORMS After the Meiji restoration Japan had Highly centralized government An elected parliament Well developed transportation and communication system Highly educated public free of class restrictions Large industry with modern technologies Powerful army and navy Gained control of foreign trade

State Religion The Meiji Empire promoted the Shinto religion which centered on the worship of nature. The emperor was given god status. The Meiji Empire promoted the Shinto religion which centered on the worship of nature. The emperor was given god status. The decision to promote Shinto as the state religion came form their observation that western nations were united by a common religion - Christianity The decision to promote Shinto as the state religion came form their observation that western nations were united by a common religion - Christianity

Constitutional Government The Japanese studied many government systems to attempt to decide what type of constitution to adopt. The Japanese studied many government systems to attempt to decide what type of constitution to adopt. The government consisted of a house of Peers (appointed royalty and nobility) and an elected house of representatives. Very few people qualified to vote. The government consisted of a house of Peers (appointed royalty and nobility) and an elected house of representatives. Very few people qualified to vote. While they did create a democratic government on “paper” it did not function this way. While they did create a democratic government on “paper” it did not function this way. Freedom of speech and freedom of press lasted only a few years and political parties were discouraged. Freedom of speech and freedom of press lasted only a few years and political parties were discouraged. The emperor’s powers were described as not to be challenged. Emperor ruled in name only power lay with his small group of advisors. The emperor’s powers were described as not to be challenged. Emperor ruled in name only power lay with his small group of advisors.

Education A national education system was created and almost everyone attended free for at least 6 years. A national education system was created and almost everyone attended free for at least 6 years. Schools were controlled by government. Schools were controlled by government. Focused on math, reading and science. Focused on math, reading and science. Also taught moral training. This stressed the importance of duty to the emperor, the country and their families. Also taught moral training. This stressed the importance of duty to the emperor, the country and their families.

Government involvement in industrialization The government paid to build: The government paid to build: Railway and shipping lines Railway and shipping lines Telegraph and telephone systems Telegraph and telephone systems 3 shipyards 3 shipyards 10 mines 10 mines Five munitions works Five munitions works 53 consumer industries. 53 consumer industries. These were sold to private investors as government money ran out. Many of the industries were bought by samurai and merchants who formed large conglomerates called zaibatsu. These were sold to private investors as government money ran out. Many of the industries were bought by samurai and merchants who formed large conglomerates called zaibatsu. These zaibatsu would gain control of most of Japan’s modern industry. These zaibatsu would gain control of most of Japan’s modern industry.

Imperial Power Japan used its new military power to defeat China in the Sino-Japanese war. This victory caused western nations to worry that Japan was getting too powerful. In 1904, Japan went to war with Russia over control of Korea. Russia would suffer a series of humiliating defeats and would sign a peace treaty with Japan as their country began to slip into revolution. 5 years later Japan would Annex Korea with very little protest from western nations.

Prior to the end of World War I Japan had experience great economic growth and prosperity. More people moved into cities and were exposed to ideas of democracy and individual rights and freedoms. Prior to the end of World War I Japan had experience great economic growth and prosperity. More people moved into cities and were exposed to ideas of democracy and individual rights and freedoms. At the end of World War I Japan entered a severe economic depression. At the end of World War I Japan entered a severe economic depression. The Government grew stronger and elected officials weaker. The Government grew stronger and elected officials weaker. Military success against other nations encouraged Japan to expand through military force Military success against other nations encouraged Japan to expand through military force

Japan’s need for natural resources to fuel its economy and western nations attempting to stop them from expanding their influence in Asia gave rise to the military gaining great power within government. Japan’s need for natural resources to fuel its economy and western nations attempting to stop them from expanding their influence in Asia gave rise to the military gaining great power within government. Japan would exert control over China forcing it into unfair treaties like the ones they were once forced to sign with the west. Japan would exert control over China forcing it into unfair treaties like the ones they were once forced to sign with the west. Japans expansion goals during World War II continually brought them closer to conflict with the United States. In 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor bringing them into direct conflict with the United States. Japans expansion goals during World War II continually brought them closer to conflict with the United States. In 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor bringing them into direct conflict with the United States.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki It was clear in June of 1945 that Japan would be defeated and needed to surrender. However, many in the military preferred death to surrender. It was clear in June of 1945 that Japan would be defeated and needed to surrender. However, many in the military preferred death to surrender. Any surrender would involve the emperor being subject to a foreign power. This was not seen as an option. Japan had never lost a military battle and had never been invaded. Any surrender would involve the emperor being subject to a foreign power. This was not seen as an option. Japan had never lost a military battle and had never been invaded. On August 6, 1945 a nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. A second was dropped on Nagasaki on August the 9th On August 6, 1945 a nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. A second was dropped on Nagasaki on August the 9th Even after the two bombs were dropped some within the military and government wanted to continue to fight. Even after the two bombs were dropped some within the military and government wanted to continue to fight. On September 2 Japan officially surrendered and was placed under allied occupation. On September 2 Japan officially surrendered and was placed under allied occupation.