Japan Modernizes Chapter 10 Section 1

Japan in the Mid- 1800’s Still practiced ancient warrior feudal system: Shogun- military dictator (Sometimes Emperor) Because wealth was in land, not cash, the economy was very small. Daimyo- wealthy landholding warrior lords. Lesser samurai: poor Merchants: no political power Peasants- mostly farmers who were heavily taxed.

Japan Opens Up When the Japanese Shogun Tokuyama saw how China was crushed in the Opium War, they knew Western countries were coming for them next. Gary Hostallero’s “White Horse Shogun”

A.) External Pressure, Internal Revolt July 1853- The American Navy fleet, led by Commodore Matthew Perry, shows up in Tokyo. With a letter from President Fillmore, he demanded Japan open up its ports for trade. Japan signed the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, along with other “unfair treaties”, that let foreigners in to trade.

A.) External Pressure, Internal Revolt Japan was humiliated, and the shogun was overthrown and replaced with the 15-year-old Emperor Mutsohito in 1867. He changed his name to “Meiji”, meaning “Enlightened Government”.

B.) The Meiji Restoration: 1868-1912 Japan sent gov’t members, students, and samurai to Western countries to study Western ways. Motto: “Rich country, strong military.” Fukuwaza Yukichi: Visited San Francisco, CA in 1860 and wrote books on American customs.