1. Japan Modernizes
The Meiji Restoration

2. 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

3. MEIJI acronym M – MILITARIZE E – improve ECOMONY I – INDUSTRIALIZE
J – JAPAN
I – IMPERIALIZE

4. 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

5. Why Japan modernized Lack of natural resources = imperialism
Wanted to compete with western nations = industrialize and militarize

6. 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.)