Japan and the Meiji Restoration

The Opening and Modernization of JapanThe Opening and Modernization of Japan

Period V: 1750-1900Period V: 1750-1900

Tokugawa Period (1600-1868)

• ___________________• Ruled by Shogun, Emperor as a figurehead• Capital City of Edo (Tokyo)• Rigid Social Structure (Daimyo Samurai, peasants, artisans, merchants)

• Belief Systems- Shintoism- Zen Buddhism- Prohibited Christianity

Himeji Castle: Built in 1600sHimeji Castle: Built in 1600s

Centralized feudalism

“pacified, but not really unified”“pacified, but not really unified”

Tokugawa Period (1600-1868)

• Highly regulated trade

• Limited trade with China, Korea and Dutch

Arrival of the United States

Growing Commercialization

• By 1750, world’s most urbanized country• Edo was largest city in world– 1 million people• Emerging capitalist society – literate, educated population due to Confucian influence

Problems• Peasants/samurai lured into commerce – ignored social “status”• Corruption in government• 1830 famine– people lost faith in Shogunate

1853: The Arrival of the United States _____________ Makes “Friends” with Japan_____________ Makes “Friends” with Japan

In July, 1853 Perry presented the Japanese Emperor with a proposed commercial and friendship treaty.

He would return a year later to receive their answer.

In July, 1853 Perry presented the Japanese Emperor with a proposed commercial and friendship treaty.

He would return a year later to receive their answer.

Matthew PerryMatthew Perry

Gunboat Diplomacy

Perry returned in 1854. This time he appeared with seven ships - four sailing ships, three steamers – and 1600 men.

So…what’s it gonna be??

The Treaty of KanagawaIn 1854 the Treaty of Kanagawa was signed which established:

1. ___________________ friendship between the two countries2. proper treatment for shipwrecked Americans3. fuel for American ships4. two ports opened for trade

In 1854 the Treaty of Kanagawa was signed which established:1. ___________________ friendship between the two countries2. proper treatment for shipwrecked Americans3. fuel for American ships4. two ports opened for trade

Result:Result:

The signing of this treaty signaled the end of Japanese ________.The signing of this treaty signaled the end of Japanese ________.isolation

Permanent Friendship

The last Tokugawa ShogunSakamoto Ryoma

Unequal treaties were seen as humiliating and some daimyo wanted to remove the

Shogun from power.

Unequal treaties were seen as humiliating and some daimyo wanted to remove the

Shogun from power.

Sakamoto Ryoma created a plan for Japan to modernize and unify under the rule of the Emperor.

He convinced the Shogun to resign. He was assassinated shortly after by a pro-Shogun supporter.

Sakamoto Ryoma created a plan for Japan to modernize and unify under the rule of the Emperor.

He convinced the Shogun to resign. He was assassinated shortly after by a pro-Shogun supporter.

Shogun Yoshinobu

“Revere the Emperor, expel

the barbarians”

The Meiji Restoration

Over the next generation the whole society and its institutions were transformed to

serve the needs of _____________.

Over the next generation the whole society and its institutions were transformed to

serve the needs of _____________.

By 1868, a group of young samurai claimed that they were restoring power to

___________, the 15 year old Japanese Emperor.

By 1868, a group of young samurai claimed that they were restoring power to

___________, the 15 year old Japanese Emperor.

This period is known as the ______________ Meiji meaning ______________.

This period is known as the ______________ Meiji meaning ______________.

MutsuhitoMutsuhito

Meiji RestorationMeiji Restoration

modernizationmodernization

Enlightened RuleEnlightened Rule

“When I saw a hospital [abroad], I wanted to know how it was run – who paid the running expenses; when I visited a bank, I wanted to learn how the money was deposited and paid out. By similar firsthand questions, I learned something of the postal system and the military conscription (draft). A perplexing institution was representative government.”

“When I saw a hospital [abroad], I wanted to know how it was run – who paid the running expenses; when I visited a bank, I wanted to learn how the money was deposited and paid out. By similar firsthand questions, I learned something of the postal system and the military conscription (draft). A perplexing institution was representative government.”

Fukuzawa YukichiJapanese Scholar

Selective Borrowing

Taiping Rebellion

1850-1864U.S. Civil War

1861-1865Suez Canal 1858-1869

World Events

1. What Elements of traditional Japan can be seen in this scene?2. List examples of Westernization.1. What Elements of traditional Japan can be seen in this scene?2. List examples of Westernization.

3. Explain the Emperor’s dilemma (problem).3. Explain the Emperor’s dilemma (problem).

4. What orders were issued against the samurai? Why?4. What orders were issued against the samurai? Why?

Analyze the strategy of each army and the reactions of those involved.Analyze the strategy of each army and the reactions of those involved.

How does this image show a change in the way the Japanese view the West?How does this image show a change in the way the Japanese view the West?

Hiking Through The West, 1870- Kanagaki Robun

Un-enlightened ManHalf-enlightened Man

Enlightened Man

You guys are soooo last year.

Hey, you’ve got to keep up with the

times.

This fraud in the top hat is a disgrace to Japanese culture.

Political Reforms

“Rich Country, Strong Army!”

•Centralized Nation-State•Equality under the law•1889 – Emperor issues a

“voluntary gift” to the people – a constitution

•Developed a Parliament called the Diet

•Emperor still had power – influenced by oligarchy

•Centralized Nation-State•Equality under the law•1889 – Emperor issues a

“voluntary gift” to the people – a constitution

•Developed a Parliament called the Diet

•Emperor still had power – influenced by oligarchy

Military Reforms

•Abolished Samurai class•No longer allowed to carry

swords•Created modern army based on

conscription from all classes•Created modern navy

•Abolished Samurai class•No longer allowed to carry

swords•Created modern army based on

conscription from all classes•Created modern navy

Economic Reforms “Rich Country, Strong Army!”

• Newly developed State Banks funded new roads, railroads• Guilds and road tariffs abolished to create national market• Land reform/new agricultural techniques increased food • Government dominated mines, shipyards, heavy industry

• Created postal system, commercial laws, schools

• Newly developed State Banks funded new roads, railroads• Guilds and road tariffs abolished to create national market• Land reform/new agricultural techniques increased food • Government dominated mines, shipyards, heavy industry

• Created postal system, commercial laws, schools

Silk factories 1915Private Enterprise in the Textile Industry

Silk factories 1915Private Enterprise in the Textile Industry New Western style public educationNew Western style public education

State Sponsored Industry: Ministry of Industry 1870State Sponsored Industry: Ministry of Industry 1870

Reactions to Westernization

Some Samurai found new opportunities in political and business areas

The Mitsubishi Company The Mitsubishi Company

• 1868- Iwasaki Yataro won government contracts for railroad and steamship lines and competed with British

• Created a loyal management group of former samurai

• Expanded business to include shipbuilding, mining, transportation and banking.

“Zaibatsu” families – Large firms that owned most private industry“Zaibatsu” families – Large firms that owned most private industry

Iwasaki Yataro

Unquestioning Admiration Of The West?

What is the main idea of this picture?What is the author’s point of view?

Reactions to WesternizationReactions to Westernization

The Satsuma Rebellion 1877The Satsuma Rebellion 1877

Takamori Saigo: The Last Samurai

Many samurai were desperate with their situation and the loss of their former status.

They gathered under Takamori Saigo and fought the

battle of Satsuma In 1877. It was a clash of traditional samurai weapons against a modern army.

60,000 government troops faced 40,000 rebels. The battle was a short one. The samurai rebels were

completely defeated in a bloody battle.

Takamori Saigo was wounded and committed suicide in samurai tradition. He became a hero for the

Japanese.

Rebellions/Reactions – Global Context

Can you recall similar reactions/rebellions during the age of imperialism?

Hints:

• All felt threatened by Western imperialism and the changes that modern life and technology would have on their cultures.

• All made calls for a return to the “true” traditional values of their culture and to purify themselves.

•All believed that by being truly traditional they would have the spiritual power to overcome the immoral Westerners and their modern technology.

• All fought bravely even though it was essentially suicide to go up against the Western powers.

• All failed.

Zulu Wars Taiping Rebellion

Boxer Rebellion

Sepoy Mutiny

Social Changes and ContinuitiesSocial Changes and Continuities

• Universal _________ system stressing science, technology, and loyalty to the nation.

• Adopted western fashions in dress, personal care, calendar, metric system

• ____________ led to smaller families, high divorce rate, poor treatment of workers

•High taxes caused poverty and violent protests

•Efforts to create unions and strikes were met with harsh repression

Changes: Continuities:• _________ gained followers, loyalty to the emperor.

• Women still seen as _______ - some daughters were sold

• Confucian based moral instruction, formalities, and diet remained constant

•Tradition of selective borrowing

•Pride and honor in military power

education

Urbanization

Shintoism

inferior

Strains of ModernizationStrains of Modernization

•Poor living standards existed in crowded cities

•Political differences led to instability and frequent assassinations of leaders

•Constant questioning and debate about ______________

•Disgruntled _________ class

• Need for raw materials

Problems:Problems:

Solutions:Solutions:

•Urged loyalty to the Emperor as a center of _______________

•Sino-Japanese War 1894-1895

•Russo-Japanese War 1904

•Imperialism of Korea: Annexed in 1910

Westernization

Samuarai

national identity

Empire of the Rising Sun

Comparison to ChinaComparison to China

1. Compare the actions of Japan and China in these two political cartoons.

2. What do you think led to the condition of each nation?

Imperialism in East AsiaImperialism in East Asia

Which nation surprisingly has

a sphere of influence in

China?

Western ____________ was adopted which allowed the Japanese to fully ______________

in less than 50 years. By the end of the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese no longer feared that they would be _____________.

Rather, they set out to practice imperialism themselves to obtain power and ________

__________. Japan was quickly emerging as a world-class power using western technology

and methods while still maintaining its ___________ _________ values.

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

technologyindustrialize

imperialized

natural

traditional

resources

cultural

This period was known as the _____ _____________.

Meiji Restoration

Landscape art of the 16th Century displays themes of isolation, reflection, and simplicity. Japanese artists and scholars, emulated their Chinese mentors. This reflective, somewhat romantic ink landscape includes pale touches of red and yellow.

Japanese Art Over Time