1. Asia’s “Success Story” in the Age of Imperialism
The Meiji Restoration
Asia’s “Success Story” in the Age of Imperialism

2. Tokugawa Japan
Since 1600, Tokugawa Japan had followed a policy of isolationism
Shoguns had closed Japan off to foreign traders and missionaries and did not allow Japanese to travel overseas
Goal of isolation was to preserve Japanese culture and independence

3. Japan Opened
In 1853, a fleet of American ships commanded by Commodore Matthew Perry sailed to Tokyo demanding the Japanese open their ports for trade
The reluctant shogun was forced to accept several unequal treaties very much like the ones that existed between the Chinese and British (Treaty of Kanagawa)
Soon other European powers moved in and created similar treaties with the powerless Japanese

4. The Meiji Restoration
Many Japanese resented the growing dominance of Europeans, who they viewed as barbarians
As a result, the shogun was overthrown in 1867 and replaced with the Japanese Emperor Mutsuhito

5. The Meiji Restoration
This “restoration” of the Emperor is perhaps the most important turning point in Japanese history
For the next 44 years, Meiji reformers successfully transformed Japan from a “backward” country into one of the richest and most powerful nations in the world

6. The Meiji Restoration
Japanese sought to learn from Westerners and eventually beat them at their own game
Members of the Japanese government were sent abroad to study the government, economies, technologies, militaries, and customs of the west

7. Government Reform
In 1889, a new constitution modeled after Germany was set up
Limited suffrage was given to males and legislature was created, but the Emperor had absolute power

8. Military Reform
A new military system was set up as well to replace the old samurai system
All able men were required to serve and the newest weaponry was adopted
By 1890, Japan had a powerful army and navy capable of expelling foreigners

9. Economic Reform
Following the lead of Britain and the United States, the Japanese built thousands of railroads, mines, and factories in the late 1800’s

10. Economic Reform
By the turn of the century, Japan was one of the top industrial powers in the world
And like those powers, Japan now desired to create an empire of its own
Industrial Output 1900

11. The Sino-Japanese War
Being a small island, Japan lacked many natural resources essential to industrial growth like coal and iron
In 1894, Japan fought and defeated China in order to gain more land and resources, annexing Korea and Taiwan

12. The Russo-Japanese War
Ten years later, competition over Korea and Manchuria led to war between Russia and Japan
After gruesome fighting, the Japanese surprised the world by defeating Russia
It was the first time in modern history that an Asian power had humbled a European nation and the event forced the Western world to recognize Japan as a major global power

13. Japan Before and After

14. Japan Before and After

15. Japan Before and After

16. How was Japan able to modernize so quickly?
Adaptability
Homogeneous Society
Nationalism