What Factors Influenced Change in Meiji Japan? The end of Isolation http://images.artelino.com/images/articles/meiji-period2.jpg

Outcomes 8.1.6.1 – What were the motivations for the radical changes in Japan’s model of organization during the Meiji period? 8.1.6.2 – How did Japan adapt to changes brought on by the transition from feudal to modern models of organization?

Key words Czar: Russian monarch Assimilate: to be absorbed into a larger group, often by giving up aspects of identity Commodore: a former US Navy ranking above captain and below rear admiral Inviolable: not to be violated or injured Representative government: a government in which decisions are made by elected representatives

Focus Questions How did outside influences create a crisis? How can individuals change the way others view the world? (Focus on inquiry question) How did Japan respond to the crisis? How did the political system change? How did Japan reshape its world view and begin to modernize?

Factors that influenced Japan This chapter focuses on the outside influences that forced Japan to make many changes that modernized the country. http://historyfacebook.wikispaces.com/file/view/tokugawa-display.jpg/30591554/515x482/tokugawa-display.jpg

What Made Japan Change To A Modern Country? By the mid 19th century, Japan was changing into an urbanized society It tried to keep everyone out and remained isolated from the world The outside world however would not leave Japan alone The only trading that happened with Japan at this time was with the Dutch East India Company

How Did Outside Influences Create a Crisis? Japan’s contact with the outside world was inevitable – Why do you think this is? Foreign ships continued to sail along Japan’s coast line to trade to other countries, but once in a while ships would sink and sailors would be washed ashore The Shogun and the Bakufu were worried they would lose power in society if they abandoned the policy of isolation

The Influence of Russia Russians began to build outposts on the Kuril Islands and introduce Christianity to the Ainu. The Russians were eventually forced to leave by the Japanese as they claimed the islands for Japan The Russians continued to try and establish trade relations with Japan but even in 1804 the Japanese still refused In 1811, to demonstrate their strength, the Japanese captured a captain off one of the Russian ships that continued to pester them with trade propositions. They held him captive for two years before releasing him to the Dutch http://0.tqn.com/d/goeasteurope/1/0/0/2/-/-/RussianFlag.jpg

The Influence of Europe European influence, through the Dutch East India Company, convinced the Japanese they needed to learn more about Western Civilization They imported and translated books about western history, institutions, military and science. Some Japanese officials believed that European languages were basically one language because all were written horizontally, not vertically, like Asian languages They thought this was a plan to fool their enemies They also noticed Europeans dressed in a similar manner The officials believed since there were similar languages and clothing that there must be one superpower in Europe.

The Influence of China In 1842, Japan learned that the powerful country of China had lost its independence to the European nation of Great Britain after losing a war Britain gained right to land at specific ports, having low fixed tariffs, as well as not having Chinese law enforced on Westerners All of these resulted in China being very weak; and Britain extended these rights to all countries wanting to trade with Britain The Japanese were now afraid they might also lose their independence if they did begin trading with the western nations. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/ch-lgflag.gif

China 1839, war between China and Britain Opium trade (very addictive drug) Britain started smuggling it (China not happy) Chinese banned the sale Britain sent warships and attacked (Britain won) China had to sign “Unequal Treaties” where they got “carved up like a melon” by other European countries http://www.us-china-edu.com/images/china1.jpg

Opium Wars http://history.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/upload/upfiles/200911/10/first_opium_war09da0eacd2f3df652ee2.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Slaapbol_R0017601.JPG/180px-Slaapbol_R0017601.JPG http://asadullahsohail.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/opium-production11.jpg

The Influence of the United States At this time the United States was looking to open coal stations for its ships along the Japanese coast because it was a long journey and needed to re- fuel Also the United States wanted promises that if one of their ships went down; their sailors would get assistance on Japan’s shores http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01118/usflag-460_1118303c.jpg

July 14th, 1853 Commodore Perry arrived at Japan with 2 steamships, 2 sailing vessels, 977 men, and 66 guns Came with letter from President Millard Fillmore Wanted trade, protection for shipwrecked Americans, and the right to buy coal for ships Perry said he’d return for an answer

1854 Perry returned with 18 black ships and more troops Treaty of Kanasawa- opened two Japanese ports, established an American consulate, and demands for shipwrecked sailors and coal were accepted http://www.payer.de/neobuddhismus/neobuddh0934.gif

American Expansionism Were constantly expanding West in their country since their dependence Manifest Destiny - The belief that the USA had a mission to spread its territory and its ideas about democracy and economics westward across North America and beyond http://www.historyonthenet.com/American_West/images/manifestdestiny.jpg

1856-1863 An American consul, Townsend Harris was sent to Japan to organize a more complex trade agreement After long negotiations the Harris treaty was finally signed (1858) This treaty allowed Americans to live in Edo and Osaka under protection of American law Five ports were now open to the US, as well as the US negotiated an agreement to supply Japan with ships, arms and technicians

Internal Unrest There were several heated debates between the Bakufu and the samurai as to whether they should have agreed with the United States requests Many viewed the two treaties as favoring the States Japan signed similar treaties with England, France, the Netherlands, and Russia later that year Isolation was no longer possible! Japan now needed to compete with West in order to protect Japan’s sovereignty and meet foreign challenges

Culture Shock When people are suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar way of life, culture, or attitudes What do you think that main shocks would be between the USA and Japan? http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/abr1379l.jpg

Civil Unrest By the mid 1800’s there was widespread unrest across the country Bad weather caused crop failures resulting in many farmers and peasants starving Not only did they begin to question the taxes but the government as well Support for the Bakufu was weakening

Civil War Treaties seen as weakness of the Shogun People started rioting in the streets and using violence Opposing Daimyo were retired or put under arrest Their samurai then imprisoned, exiled or executed Attacks on foreigners increased Foreign gunboats then bombarded Japan’s shore

1868 The shogun resigned Petitioned emperor to take over power More civil war because some wanted shogunate restored Others wanted emperor to rule Country is divided In end, 30,000 troops (emperor supporters) blasted the shogunate stronghold, set it on fire: new era starting http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Tokugawa_Ieyasu.jpg/220px-Tokugawa_Ieyasu.jpg

New Emperor Moved into the Tokugawa castle of Edo and renamed the city Tokyo Tokyo means “Eastern Capital” Finally the Tokugawa Era that last more than 250 years was over

Political System changing… The Meiji leaders declared the Emperor sacred and inviolable Young Emperor was seen as symbol of unity and became an icon to bind the country together http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Meiji_tenno3.jpg/220px-Meiji_tenno3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Meiji&usg=__7ZYEJaitFG5EDjioiFKHG4honWw=&h=323&w=220&sz=16&hl=en&start=2&zoom=1&tbnid=9fyM61THbohCWM:&tbnh=118&tbnw=80&ei=sFGMT5D3OOSXiAKy1OWsCw&prev=/search%3Fq%3DEmperor%2BMeiji%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4RNSN_enCA402CA403%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1

The Charter of Oath The organizers of the takeover knew it was important to gain the confidences of all the domains in the new government In April 1868, Emperor Meiji signed the Charter of Oath which outlined the goals of the new regime Future policies would be based on the consensus of the daimyo of all domains This charter showed change in all three elements of worldview: political and economic systems, social systems and culture

The Charter Oath (pg.182) Deliberative assemblies shall be widely established and all matters decided in public discussion All classes, high and low, shall unite in vigorously carrying out the administration of the state The common people, no less than the civil and military officials, shall each be allowed to pursue their own calling to that there shall be no dissent Evil customs of the past shall be ended and everything shall be based on the just laws of nature Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as to strengthen the foundations of imperial rule

New Leadership Although the Emperor was the official head of government, the men who had overthrown the Tokugawa Bakufu formed and oligarchy and were in charge They created changes in Japan that promoted economic growth and industrialization Their slogan was “Enrich the country; strengthen the military”

New Leadership The new leaders were young intelligent samurai eager for change Average age among them was 30 They had two goals: To modernize Japan and make the economy grow To renegotiate unequal treaties The new leaders decided that they did not want to restore traditional ways but create but a new modernized Japan http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/MeijiEmperorReceivingOrderOfTheGarter1906.jpg

Modernizing Japan The new leaders wanted models so they could rebuild Japan They looked towards Western nations as they saw Europe and North America as being wealthy and powerful Through modernization Japans worldview changed drastically Japan now welcomed foreigners and brought it educators and experts to help Japan along in the process Japan also sent some of the leaders abroad to learn about laws and customs in successful Western nations

The Iwakuru Mission In 1871, the new governments sent 50 officials and 50 students on a 22 months tour of 12 countries Their purpose was to find the best ideas throughout the world and bring them back to Japan Iwakuru Tomomi, led the mission as a Chief Ambassador and completed his report in 1878 He concluded that: Japan was not in any immediate danger of losing its independence to another country Japan must modernize their society They were hopelessly behind as the had expected

Modernization of Japan The country was now ready to face new challenges… http://www.travelinstyle.com/japan/images/jnto3/mM21_Cosmo_Clock.jpg

References Information taken from: Our Canada, Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada, 2006. pg. Chapter 5.