Japan Modernizes The Meiji Restoration
Main Idea Japan’s Meiji Restoration was characterized by reform and modernization. During this time Japan improved their military and opened trade w/the west
MEIJI acronym M – MILITARIZE E – improve ECOMONY I – INDUSTRIALIZE J – JAPAN I – IMPERIALIZE
Commodore Matthew Perry Perry was a US naval commander who delivered a letter to Japan demanding them to open trade w/the west Japan then begins to modernize and strengthen their military and economy This signals the end of Japanese isolationism
Why Japan modernized Lack of natural resources = imperialism Wanted to compete with western nations = industrialize and militarize
Results Japan, like Russia under Peter the Great, becomes modernized and westernized Japan begins to imperialize (take over) parts of southeast Asia (Korea, China, etc.)