MEJI RESTORATION

• 1. Why was the arrival of American warships such a shock to the Japanese?


  • it was a shock to them bc japan forces lost so easily since they didnt have navy ships that parred w them 
  • japan knew how china reacted to foreign trade w/ the west and did not want the same situation to happen to them
• 1. What domestic problems did Matthew Perry's arrival worsen?

  • the shoguns 
• Tokugawa Shogunate

  Kept the emperor as a figurehead and religious symbol
• Meiji Restoration

  The process that did not immediately place the emperor back into power in the traditional sense, but instead initiated a process of modernization and centralization of power under the emperor's symbolic authority
• End of Tokugawa Rule

  1. The Meiji Restoration led to the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate, which had held de facto political power for centuries

  2. This allowed for the restoration of imperial authority
• Symbolic Role of the Emperor


  • The Meiji Restoration elevated the emperor to a central symbolic role in Japanese politics and society
  • The new government, led by oligarchs known as the Meiji oligarchy, presented the emperor as the symbol of national unity and identity
• Modernization and Westernization


  1. Instead of restoring the emperor to direct political power, the Meiji government pursued a policy of modernization and Westernization

  2. They implemented reforms to strengthen the central government, modernize the military, and industrialize the economy, aiming to catch up with Western powers
• Political Reforms

  1. While the emperor's symbolic authority was emphasized, political power initially resided with the oligarchs and later with elected officials in the newly established constitutional monarchy

  2. The Meiji Constitution of 1889 introduced a parliamentary system, granting limited political rights to citizens
• The Meiji Restoration transformed Japan from a feudal society into a modern nation-state
• While the emperor's role as a symbol of national unity was crucial, actual political power was gradually shifted to elected officials and institutions of government
• 1. After the restoration, the emperor put many samurai into government and into positions of power. But how was this different from the previous political system?


  • After the Meiji Restoration, the emperor put many samurai into government and positions of power, which was different from the previous political system where samurai served as retainers to daimyo (feudal lords) and held authority within their domains. In the new system, samurai were integrated into the centralized government structure under the emperor's authority, rather than serving individual lords
• 1. What steps did the reformers take to modernize Japan? 


   

  • adopted a western-like industrialization 
  • adopted western technology 
• 1. Why was Japan's victory over Russia so important?


  • it showed the world that european military wasn’t invincible 
  • it showed japan as a strong military force that shouldnt be messed with
• Meiji Restoration


  A series of reforms in Japan aimed at modernizing and industrializing the economy, including infrastructure development, investment in industry and technology, and the promotion of trade and commerce
• Meiji Restoration


  Played a crucial role in shaping economic strategies in Japan and East Asia
• Japan's economic growth


  Spurred industrialization and economic development in neighboring countries
• Japan's rise as an economic power


  Challenged the dominance of Western nations in the region
• The Meiji Restoration had ripple effects across East Asia
• Meiji Restoration


  Made possible a huge economic transformation in Japan and East Asia, making Japan an economic power on par with many European nations
• Effect of the economic transformation brought about by the Meiji Restoration on Japanese society


  • Rapid urbanization
  • Social mobility
  • Changes in traditional social structures
  • Rise of industry and commerce created new opportunities for employment and wealth accumulation, leading to the emergence of a modern middle class
  • Social tensions as traditional values clashed with the rapid pace of modernization and Westernization
• Earlier in this unit, we examined all kinds of political revolutions


  The Meiji Restoration revolutionized Japan
• Meiji Restoration


  A political revolution that led to a fundamental change in the political system of Japan, transitioning from a feudal system to a centralized imperial government
• The Meiji Restoration can be considered a political revolution
• Comparing the Meiji Restoration to earlier political revolutions, such as the French Revolution


  Both involved significant changes to the political system and social order
• Comparing the Meiji Restoration to the French Revolution

  The causes, processes, and outcomes differed
• French Revolution


  • Driven by widespread social unrest, economic inequality, and political grievances
  • Led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic
• Meiji Restoration


  • More top-down process initiated by elites
  • Aimed at modernizing Japan and maintaining stability under the emperor's authority
  • Resulted in a more gradual and controlled transformation of Japanese society
• French Revolution

  Led to radical social and political upheaval
• Meiji Restoration


  Resulted in a more gradual and controlled transformation of Japanese society
• • the Meiji Restoration allowed Japan to develop into a modern industrial nation-state that rivaled European nations in both military and economic power
• Emperor and Shogunate

  The emperor held little power, while the shogun, a military leader, dominated politics as a hereditary dictator. The emperor was considered a divine figure but had limited authority
• Daimyo and Samurai

  Japan was divided into regions controlled by daimyo, feudal lords who relied on samurai, an educated military class, for military service in exchange for land
• • Tokugawa Shogunate


  The Tokugawa family took control of the shogunate in 1600, bringing stability after a period of unrest. They enforced Confucian policies and restricted peasants to farming, while also isolating Japan from European influence through the Act of Seclusion in 1636, which prohibited Westerners from trading in Japan
• Act of Seclusion 


  This policy effectively cut off Japan from European influence, although the Dutch were allowed a single trading outpost in Nagasaki under suspicion
• Trade Relations


  While Europeans were excluded, Japanese merchants could still trade with China and Korea
• • the Tokugawa shogunate's policies aimed to maintain stability, control the daimyo, preserve traditional Japanese culture, and protect Japan from foreign influence
• • The shogun's policies exacerbated existing issues, leading to discontent among lower-ranking samurai who felt marginalized and disillusioned
• • Promotion of Lower-Ranking Samurai


  While lower-ranking samurai were promoted to government positions, they lacked real power due to the rigid social hierarchy, fueling their discontent
• Disillusionment and Discontent


  Lower-ranking samurai felt that the shogun's policies endangered Japanese sovereignty by allowing foreign influence. They used their loyalty to the emperor as a rallying cry against the shogun, advocating for the expulsion of foreigners
• Rebellious Factions


  These disgruntled samurai formed rebellious factions, promoting the slogan "Revere the emperor, Expel the barbarian" (sonno jõi). They attacked foreigners at Japanese ports and instigated local uprisings against the shogun