Transcript What were the political changes of the Meiji Restoration?

Does the Meiji Restoration deserve
to be called a ‘Revolution’?
L/O – To consider historical interpretations of the Meiji Restoration by
examining the political developments of the period
What is a Revolution?
1. A forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in
favour of a new system.
2. A fundamental change in power or organisational
structures that takes place in a relatively short period of
time.
3. An overthrow or repudiation and the thorough
replacement of an established government or political
system by the people governed.
4. A radical and persuasive change in society and the social
structure, especially one made suddenly and often
accompanied by violence.
What is a Revolution?
• According to Crane Binton (1898-1966) in The Anatomy of
Revolution (1966), the revolutionary process goes through
these phases:
1. The countries are generally prosperous before the revolution,
but the government machinery was clearly inefficient –
discontent is felt by wealthy citizens who feel restrained by the
aristocracy.
2. The revolution has 3 stages: 1.) Moderate Stage – reformers
overthrow the monarchy and gradually solve problems in a nonviolent way; 2.) Radical Phase – extremists take control of
government and begin a radical restructuring using force; 3.)
Counter-Revolutionary Phase – tyranny of extremists
overthrown by a coalition of forces who desire an end to
violence.
3. Results – revolution brings many changes to the country but
ends with a government similar to the one in place before the
revolution!
Was the Meiji Restoration a Revolution?
• The Meiji Restoration has been
debated by historians who question
to what extent the restoration can be
called a ‘revolution’.
• Most European revolutions of the
18th and 19th centuries were led by
members of new powerful classes like
the urban bourgeoisie or working
class, who challenged the privileges
of long-entrenched feudal aristocrats.
• These have been described as
‘revolutions from below’.
Was the Meiji Restoration a Revolution?
• In contrast, the Meiji Restoration was
an elite-led revolution by the Samurai
class and their Daimyo. In this sense,
it could be described as a ‘revolution
from above’ or ‘aristocratic
revolution’.
• But was it a true revolution? Many
argue that the Restoration merely
swapped one ruling class (Shogun
and Tokugawa Bakufu) for another
(the Emperor and samurai elite).
• Therefore was it a true ‘revolution’?
Was the Meiji Restoration a Revolution?
• Yes - Historian Andrew Gordon states
that the Meiji Restoration created
fundamental changes in Japanese
society, thus meriting the term
‘revolution’ – A Modern History of
Japan from Tokugawa Times to the
Present, OUP: 2000
• No - Historian W.G. Beasley argues
that when compared with other
revolutions like the French or
Russian, the Meiji Restoration did not
constitute a revolution in the classical
sense – The Meiji Restoration,
Stanford University Press: 1972
Causes of the Nationalist Revolution
• The restoration was led by the
Samurai class. The Samurai were not
a ‘landed-elite’. Their power came
from payment (stipends) from their
Daimyo. They therefore had less to
lose from revolution than elites in
countries such as China.
• Once their Daimyo had decided to
support the restoration movement by
ending the privileges of the Samurai
class, the Samurai had little choice
but to join in.
Causes of the Nationalist Revolution
• The revolutionaries were also motivated
by fear of foreign powers and discontent
with the existing order.
• They were insulted by the unequal
treaties imposed on Japan but knew that
Japan could not defeat them without
modernisation.
• They were aware that the Tokugawa order
faced: military & economic weaknesses,
political fragmentation and a failing social
hierarchy that failed to recognise men of
talent.
What political changes did
the Restoration unleash and
do they amount to a
revolution?
1.) Abolition of Daimyo Domains
• By 1870, all Daimyo had voluntarily
surrendered all their lands back to the
emperor.
• Daimyo were persuaded as the leaders
of the restoration: the Daimyo of
Satsuma, Choshu, Tosa and Hizen; all
gave up their power first.
• In return, Daimyo were reappointed as
governors with handsome salaries. This
established the principle that all lands
and people were subject to the
emperor.
1.) Abolition of Daimyo Domains
• The abolition of domains was
consolidated by forcing daimyo to appoint
‘men of talent’ and of lesser rank to key
administrative positions – people more
likely to welcome change.
• Many powerful Daimyo were also
persuaded with the promise of good jobs
in the new central government.
• This was finally backed with the threat of
force – In April 1871 a new imperial army
was created primarily from Satsuma and
Choshu samurai.
1.) Abolition of Daimyo Domains
• In August 1871, the emperor announced
that all domains were immediately
abolished. They were replaced by
‘prefectures’ whose governors were
appointed by the central government.
• Taxes were now collected, the Daimyo
ordered to move to Tokyo, castles
dismantled and 280 domains were
reduced to 72 prefectures.
• New governors were not former Daimyo
but middling Samurai who had fought for
the restoration.
1.) Abolition of Daimyo Domains
• Large payoffs were given to Daimyo’s to
sweeten the deal. They were also granted
permanent yearly salaries equivalent to 10% of
their former domain’s annual tax revenue.
• Most were content to take early retirement on
generous terms.
• Question - Does the abolition of the Daimyo
and their domains constitute a revolution?
2.) New Structure of Government
• Early 1868 – a new provisional
government was created to rule in
the name of the emperor.
• Late 1868 – Council of State
established as highest political
authority.
• 1871 – Council replaced by a set of
government ministries and
departments such as finance, foreign
affairs, public works etc…
2.) New Structure of Government
• 1885 – New cabinet system of government modelled
on European lines with a Prime Minister at its head.
He led the cabinet which controlled all the ministries
of government.
• 1887 – System of civil service examinations replaces
rule by loyal samurai.
• 1889 – Meiji Constitution codifies this system and
created a deliberative assembly (the Diet) but state
ministers were responsible to the emperor, not the
Diet.
2.) New Structure of Government
Read the 1889 Meiji Constitution and complete
questions 1-6.
1. Who holds more power in the Meiji Constitution –
the Emperor or the Diet?
2. Does the Meiji Constitution introduce full
democracy to Japan or are elites in control still?
Question - Does the 1889 Meiji Constitution
constitute a revolution?