JAPAN’S MEIJI RESTORATION

Internal Problems By early 19th century, Japanese society was in turmoil Declining agricultural productivity Periodic crop failures, famine, and starvation Harsh taxes on peasants Samurai and daimyo are in debt to merchants West arrives demanding trade with Japan

Instructional Objectives We will be able to: Explain the causes of the Meiji Restoration Describe the changes that took place during the Meiji Period. Discuss how Japan would go on to become an imperial power.

The Meiji Restoration Japanese period beginning in 1853 when Japan went from a non-industrial feudal nation to a modern, industrial and imperial power.

Causes of Meiji Period Japanese saw what happened to their neighbor China. One Japanese visitor noted… “The Chinese have become servants to the foreigners. Sovereignty may belong to China but in fact it's no more than a colony of Great Britain and France”.

China’s “Unequal Treaties” After the Opium War of 1839-1842, Japan was convinced that it had to Open Up to the West.

Challenge of the West Arrival of Matthew Perry (1853) Unequal Treaties Similar to the treaties signed by the Qing dynasty Perry’s “Black Ships” steam into Tokyo Bay Force the Japanese to establish trade and diplomatic relations with the U.S. Japanese depiction of Admiral Matthew Perry

Japan Changes The Japanese overthrew the last Shogun and put their emperor in charge. Japan ended it’s policy of isolationism. Emperor Meiji’s government decided the only way to avoid China’s fate was to modernize through selective borrowing from the Western nations. New slogan: Japanese Spirit; Western Technology!

The Rulers Set the Tone with Western Dress Emperor Meiji Empress Haruko (1868- 1912)

Changing Women’s Fashions The First “Miss Japan” (1908) 1900 Styles

Meiji Reforms Land Redistribution Westernize the School System (Fr. & Ger.) Abolition of the feudal system Modern Banking System Modernize the Army (Prussian) Meiji Reforms Written Constitution (Germans) Build a Modern Navy (British) Human Rights & Religious Freedom Emperor Worship Intensified

In order to Industrialize you must… Imperialize Japan followed queue with other industrialized nations and went after an empire to get…

Modernization: Meiji Restoration Abolish feudal order Administrative districts replace feudal domains Daimyo removed from power Samurai class is abolished Constitutional government Constitution of 1889 based on German model Establishes constitutional monarchy with legislature Emperor commanded armed forces, named prime minister, and appoint the cabinet

Modernization: Meiji Restoration Constitutional government (con’d) Recognized individual rights Could limit rights in the interest of the state Suffrage limited Only 5% of population could vote in 1890 election Japanese industrialization Modernize transportation, communication, and education Sold government businesses to private investors

Modernization: Meiji Restoration Japanese industrialization (con’d) Creation of zaibatsu Combination of state initiative and private investment Consolidates economic power into the hands of a few powerful families Many companies started by men of samurai origins

Soldiers on the Battlefield During the Sino-Japanese War The Treaty of Shimonoseki ended the war.

Japan Is a Player in China

Japan Annexes Korea

The Russo-Japanese War: 1904-1905 The Battle of Tsushima: The results startled the world!

But, Japanese Power Would Grow . . .

Social Developments No reforms to ease burdens on rural population Massive population growth Strained resources and kept labor costs low Role of women Maintain inferiority of women in the home High-school education for women (1899) Silk industry relied upon women working in factories

Japanese Imperialism Sino-Japanese War Russo-Japanese War Japan gains influence over Korea Russo-Japanese War Japan’s navy leads to victory over Russia Japan annexes Korea in 1910