1. AP World History Uvalde High School
Meiji Restoration
AP World History
Uvalde High School

2. Internal Problems
By early 19th century, Japanese society was in turmoil
Declining agricultural productivity
Periodic crop failures, famine, and starvation
Harsh taxes on peasants
Samurai and daimyo are in debt to merchants
West arrives demanding trade with Japan

3. Challenge of the West Arrival of Matthew Perry (1853) Unequal Treaties
Similar to the treaties signed by the Qing dynasty
Perry’s “Black Ships” steam into Tokyo Bay
Force the Japanese to establish trade and diplomatic relations with the U.S.
Japanese depiction of Admiral Matthew Perry

5. Internal Conflict Shogunate’s deals with West viewed as dishonorable
Popular slogan: “Revere the emperor, expel the barbarians”
Demands for reform include lowering of rice prices and expulsion of foreign “barbarians”
Two minor wars between supporters of emperor and supporters of the shogun
January 3, 1868, the last shogun abdicated and the shogunate was destroyed

6. Modernization: Meiji Restoration
Abolish feudal order
Administrative districts replace feudal domains
Daimyo removed from power
Samurai class is abolished
Constitutional government
Constitution of 1889 based on German model
Establishes constitutional monarchy with legislature
Emperor commanded armed forces, named prime minister, and appoint the cabinet

7. Left: Structure of Meiji Governement; Above: Mutsuhito, the Meiji Emperor

8. Modernization: Meiji Restoration
Constitutional government (con’d)
Recognized individual rights
Could limit rights in the interest of the state
Suffrage limited
Only 5% of population could vote in 1890 election
Japanese industrialization
Modernize transportation, communication, and education
Sold government businesses to private investors

9. Modernization: Meiji Restoration
Japanese industrialization (con’d)
Creation of zaibatsu
Combination of state initiative and private investment
Consolidates economic power into the hands of a few powerful families
Many companies started by men of samurai origins

11. Social Developments No reforms to ease burdens on rural population
Massive population growth
Strained resources and kept labor costs low
Role of women
Maintain inferiority of women in the home
High-school education for women (1899)
Silk industry relied upon women working in factories

12. Japanese Imperialism Sino-Japanese War Russo-Japanese War
Japan gains influence over Korea
Russo-Japanese War
Japan’s navy leads to victory over Russia
Japan annexes Korea in 1910