Transcript Document
Japanese Revolutions
Stephanie Hoang Jasmine Klar Younji Lee
The Meiji Restoration (1860-1868)
The Meiji Restoration – Analysis of the Causes
Lead by Commander Commodore Matthew Perry, American gunships began to come to the Japanese coast in 1853. After his request for Japan to open its economy for foreign trade, the shogun decided to end Japan’s isolation; in doing so, other European countries requested that Japan be open to them as well.
In response to this, samurai leaders from the southern provinces of Satsuma and Choshu formed an alliance and urged the shogun to protect itself from foreign intimidation. The Sat-Cho alliance believed in restoring imperial rule to protect itself against the threats Japan was facing. However, the Shogun continuously made decisions and ratified treaties (without imperial consent) that lead to more contact with Westerners, which increased the daimyo’s disapproval of the Shogun.
The Sat-Cho Alliance fought to end Japan’s relations with the west. In 1867, a Cho-shu fortress attacked Western ships.
In January 1868, the Sat Cho Alliance over threw the Shogunate, and Meiji, who became emperor in 1867, became an emperor with full imperial powers.
The Meiji Restoration – Analysis of the Causes
Society based on a rigid social hierarchy in the Tokugawa Shogunate; this social structure was not prevalent after the Meiji Restoration Impact resulting from the Causes of the Meiji restoration/Differen ces from Previous Tokugawa Shogunate During the Tokugawa Shogunate, the emperors held the title of ruler, but the shoguns had the legitimate power. The Meiji Restoration increased all the imperial powers of the emperor During the late Tokugawa Shogunate period, Japan ended its isolationist foreign policy; although the Meiji Restoration was initiated in the hopes of ending foreign influence, Japanese leaders realized the need to end its isolationist policy Contact with the Western nations compelled Japan to industrialize, which caused major changes in Japan’s economy
Category
Impact of Meiji Restoration
Description
Political Intellectual Religion Art/Architecture In 1868, the new Meiji government seized Tokugawa lands and placed them under their In control In 1869, because many daimyo were compelled to return domains to the emperor, in the process, a new central government was created Political positions were increasingly dependent on merit, competence, and civil service examinations Adopted Western learning in order to avoid Western domination Meiji sent young members of the upper class to visit or study in Europe and America to learn engineering, economics, and military science In 1868, the Imperial government ordered the separation of Buddhism and Shintoism; it was compelled to do so to unify the country and prevent Shintoism from being changed with foreign influences In 1871, the Iwakura Tomomi Mission impacted Japanese art as foreigners brought back specialists to assist in the arts and crafts Meiji government encouraged Japanese artists to expose themselves to Western ideas, and many Japanese artists were sent abroad to study The Paris Exposition of 1867 played an important role in promoting Meiji period ceramics, which became popular with western clients
Technology Economy Society
Impact of Meiji Restoration Continued
Implemented a Ministry of Industry in 1870 New railroads, steamships, ports, and canals were constructed each year 1869 – the first telegraph line established between Tokyo and Yokohama Government encouraged private enterprise, which allowed the middle class to grow Government provided political and financial security, making it possible to invest in new industries and technologies Much industrialization occurred Abolished feudalism, and hereditary privileges of individual samurai were taken away Government stipends to the samurai were eliminated, and former samurai were forbidden to wear swords in public Rigid social hierarchy from the Tokugawa Shogunate was eliminated Taxes increased for farmers Japanese society adopted Western dress, fashion and manners, and the Western calendar
Chronology of the Changes that Occurred
1853: Commodore Matthew Perry arrives with four warships and requests that Japan open its economy to foreign trade.
1854: Japan signs the Treaty of Amity – this opens the ports of Shimodo and Hakodate to foreign ships. Japan ends its policy of isolationism.
1857: The US Consul General and the Shogun make another trade treaty which includes more opening of Japanese ports and fixed trade tariffs.
1858: Although the Emperor refuses to ratify the treaty, the Shogun ratifies multiple treaties without his consent. This heightens disapproval and discontent with the Shogun’s exhibition of power. 1863: Choshu bombards British, French, and Dutch ships in the strait of Shimonoseki, following an imperial order to expel foreigners.
1864: Britain, France, US, and Holland attacks and burns city of Shimonoseki in response. Choshu attacks shogun forces in Kyoto.
1867: Choshu and Satsuma attacks the Tokugawa shogun army 1868: Collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and Tokugawa Yoshinobu (last Tokukgawa shogun) resigns; imperial power is restored to the emperor Meiji
Comparison of Government Structure and
Original
Effectiveness
Final •The “alternate attendance” system required most of the domain lords to spend every other year in Edo to serve the shogun •Most of the power rested within the shogun • The emperor, although given the title of the ruler, had very little power •Lords served an authoritarian government •Emperor has power •Social class still present •The Edo government began to decline in the 1850s. •By the mid 1860s, Choshu was in the hands of an anti-Tokugawa administration.
•By 1868, Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu resigned as a shogun •The emperor’s imperial power is restored •On January 3, 1868, a group of young samurai came into power.
Comparison of Government Structure and Effectiveness
The goal of this revolution was to abolish the Tokugawa Shogunate and restore the emperor’s imperial power. Although the emperor was deemed ruler during the Tokugawa era, the power rested solely with the shoguns. However, in 1868, Tokugawa Yoshinoby, who was the last of the Tokugawa shoguns, resigned from his position. This ultimately caused the collapse of the Tokugawa Shonugate, returning the imperial power back to the emperor. This revolution was effective because it restored the emperor’s imperial power.
Key Leaders of the Meiji Restoration
Commander Matthew C. Perry Kido Takayoshi Okubo Toshimichi Tokugawa Yoshinobu-last shogun
Charts of the Meiji Restoration
Reasons for Tokugawa’s collapse
Maps of the Meiji Restoration
Map of the Boshin war (1868-1869); Satsuma, Chōshū and Tosa joined forces to defeat Shogunate forces at Toba Fushimi Map showing areas of Shogunal rule
Meiji Empire to Constitutional Monarchy (1868-1889)
Causes
Changes that Spurred the Transition into a Constitutional Monarchy
Tosa Memorial: written by Itagakii and others, criticizing the unbridled power of the oligarchy Political demonstrations which resulted in further government restrictions that led to divisions among them There was apparent leadership split over the Korean affair Political pressure to change from an oligarchy to a constitutional government Government leaders had to deal with violent threats to stability; the importance of a stable government apparent.
Category
Political
Impact of Meiji Constitutional Monarchy
Religion Intellectual Art/Architecture
Information
-Itagaki Taisuke, a powerful Tosa leader, started a school and movement towards a constitutional monarchy (The Freedom and People’s Rights Movement). -1871-1873: land and tax laws were enacted as the basis for modern fiscal policy and private ownership was legalized.
-Aikoksha (Society of Patriots) created by Itagaki to push for a representative government -1882: Imperial Rule Party was established. Political demonstrations followed, which resulted in further government restrictions.
-Osaka Conference reorganized government with an independent judiciary and an appointed Chamber of Elders -A small clique of elite continued to rule Japan, making decisions reserved by the emperor and controlling the political government.
-Shintoism becomes the prevalent religion with Japan -Major western influence -Leaving Asia argued that Japan should orient itself at the “civilized countries of the West”. This allowed for the economic and technological rise of Japan.
-Major western influence incorporated into the pottery and art of Japanese artists -Japanese art becomes more prevalent in the west
Technology
Impact of Meiji Constitutional Monarchy Cont.
-Technology was borrowed from the West.
-1871: a group of Japanese politicians (Iwakura Mission) toured Europe and the USA to learn the western ways -The Bank of japan (1877) used taxes to fund model textile and steel factories.
-Education was expanded Economy Society -Japan gradually took control of Asia’s marked for manufactured goods, beginning with textiles.
-First Asian industrialized nation -It began as mercantilism and changed to embrace the concept of a market economy and adopted British and North American forms of free enterprise capitalism.
-Reforms included a unified modern currency based on yen, banking, commercial and tax laws, stock exchanges, and a communications network.
-One of the first acts of the government was to establish new ranks of nobility.
-Five ranks: prince, marquis, count, viscount, and baron -Leaving Asia argued that Japan should orient itself at the “civilized countries of the West”. This allowed for the economic and technological rise of Japan.
Chronology
1873- Itagaki Taisuke, a powerful Tosa leader, had resigned from the Council of State over the Korean affair 1874- The Tosa Memorial was written, which criticized the power of the oligarchy and need for a representative government 1875- The Osaka Conference led to the reorganization of the government with independent judiciary and an appointed Chamber of Elders, which reviewed proposals.
1878-The nationwide Aikokusha (Society of Patriots) was organized and pushed for a representative government.
1882- The Rikken Kaishinto (Constitutional Progressive Party) was established and called for a British-style constitutional democracy.
1885- The Council of State was replaced with a cabinet headed by Ito as prime minister.
1889- The Constitution of the Empire of Japan (The Meiji Constitution) was signed by the emperor and provided for the Imperial Diet, which was composed of a popularly elected House of Representatives, the House of Peers, and a cabinet.
Comparison of Government Structure and Effectiveness
Final Original
•Leaders were inexperienced and young •Created pragmatic policies without considering their effects; policies were often revised •Wanted to industrialize and pursue internationalization; modeled after the West •Government faced many problems, including inadequate revenues, challenges from imperialist nations, threats from domains, and lack of organizational structures •Government structure was reorganized multiple times •Membership in leadership also changed multiple times •Social classes abolished •Social classes remain abolished •Presence of industrialization •Emperor’s imperial power restored •Ito Hirobumi, one of the youngest Restoration leaders, studied European political systems. He helped draft the first national constitution and create several institutions •The constitution was declared on February 11, 1889. It gave the emperor full sovereignty, creating a weak legislature and a strong, cabinet, with the prime minister appointed by the emperor. •Political parties did not yet have real power due to the lack of unity among their members.
Comparison of Government Structure and Effectiveness
The goal of this revolution was to modernize Japan and create a centralized government. This revolution was an overall success because Japan became a constitutional monarchy. Because a constitution was promulgated that gave the emperor full sovereignty, this allowed for a centralized and modernized government; the emperor’s imperial power was fully restored. Also, during this period, Japan underwent many changes leading up to its modernization. For example, social classes were abolished, education systems were reformed, transportation and communication improved, and the economy changed from an agrarian to an industrialized one. Furthermore, there were many changes applied in certain aspects to Westernize the country as a whole, including trade. Because this revolution created a more centralized and modernized country, it was successful.
Key Leaders
Emperor Meiji Ito Himawari Hijikata Toshizo Saigo Takamori
Charts
Chart of government structure of Meiji during modernization
Pictures
Meiji Constitution Emperor Meiji moving from Kyoto to Tokyo
Maps
Map showing alliances against Tokugawa
Works Cited
Huffman James. "About Japan:1868-1889 | Japan Society." Japan Society. Web. 10 Feb. 2011.
"Japanese History: Meiji Period." Japan Living Guide. Web. 9 Feb. 2011.
"Meiji Restoration - Change in Japan's Political and Social Structure." Japan Information Resource. Web. 11 Feb. 2011.
"Modern History: The Meiji Restoration and Modernization." Asia for Educators. Columbia University. Web. 8 Feb. 2011. http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/japan/japanworkbook/modernhis t/meiji.html.
Division of Work
Younji Lee – 1,2, chronology for Meiji Restoration
Jasmine Klar – 1,2, chronology for Meiji Empire to Constitutional Monarchy