Meiji Japan - overview

A Brief Look at Japan in the A Brief Look at Japan in the 1800s to 1900s1800s to 1900s

Do you remember?Do you remember?

Under the Tokugawa Under the Tokugawa shogun, the Japanese shogun, the Japanese leaders had chosen a leaders had chosen a policy of isolationism policy of isolationism in the early 1600s. in the early 1600s.

Foreigners were Foreigners were prohibited to enter prohibited to enter Japan and the Japan and the Japanese were Japanese were “prohibited” from “prohibited” from leaving.leaving.

Some Japanese leaders Some Japanese leaders feared that what happened feared that what happened to the Chinese in the Opium to the Chinese in the Opium wars with the British might wars with the British might

happen to them.happen to them.

Then U.S. “intervention” in the 1850s Then U.S. “intervention” in the 1850s

Outside powers threatened JapanOutside powers threatened Japan With outside pressure, Japanese With outside pressure, Japanese

leaders “decided” to sign trade leaders “decided” to sign trade treaties and open Japan to treaties and open Japan to outsiders.outsiders.

Japan was now open Japan was now open to outside influences.to outside influences.

Tokugawa rulers lose. . .Tokugawa rulers lose. . . The threat from outsiders and a The threat from outsiders and a

desire for change unified many desire for change unified many Japanese leaders against the Japanese leaders against the Tokugawa rulers.Tokugawa rulers.

Reform-minded Samurai joined Reform-minded Samurai joined together & overthrew the Tokugawa together & overthrew the Tokugawa rulers, and began the rulers, and began the Meiji Meiji Restoration periodRestoration period..

1860s - 1900s 1860s - 1900s

Japan transformed itself into a Japan transformed itself into a major industrial and military major industrial and military

powerpower

The Meiji GovernmentThe Meiji Government

The emperor was The emperor was the “head” of the the “head” of the government while government while power was held by power was held by an oligarchy of an oligarchy of business & business & military leaders.military leaders.

Loyalty to Loyalty to Emperor and Emperor and JAPAN!JAPAN!

Meiji Japan adapts Meiji Japan adapts Western ideasWestern ideas

Japanese were sent Japanese were sent on study tours of on study tours of the West. the West.

Europeans & Europeans & Americans were Americans were hired to help hired to help transform Japan.transform Japan.

Meiji Japan transforms itselfMeiji Japan transforms itself

Modern army and Modern army and navy were built (on navy were built (on Western models).Western models).

FROM THIS . . .

TO THIS.

JAPAN transformedJAPAN transformed

Rapid Rapid industrialization industrialization took place (with a took place (with a mix of government mix of government and private and private ownership).ownership).

Railroads were built Railroads were built and urban areas and urban areas became more became more “modern”“modern”

With little foreign With little foreign debt!debt!

Japanese ImperialismJapanese Imperialism Japan gained control of Korea.Japan gained control of Korea. Victory in a short war with China Victory in a short war with China

gave Japan control of Taiwan gave Japan control of Taiwan (1894)(1894)

Victory in a war with Russia gave Victory in a war with Russia gave Japan control of Manchuria (1905).Japan control of Manchuria (1905).

Japanese Japanese Imperialism Imperialism 1860-19141860-1914

Which of the following Which of the following statements best statements best describes the describes the meaning of this meaning of this cartoon?cartoon?

A.A. Russia was bigger Russia was bigger than Japanthan Japan

B.B. Japan was winning in Japan was winning in the struggle with the struggle with Russia for control of Russia for control of East AsiaEast Asia

C.C. In WWI, Japan’s In WWI, Japan’s military was better military was better than the Russia than the Russia militarymilitary

D.D. France supported France supported Japan in its battles Japan in its battles against Russia over against Russia over territory in East Asiaterritory in East Asia