Japan through Western Eyes A collection of diaries, journals and letters of Western visitors and residents in Japan. The Meiji period that followed the Restoration was an era of major political, economic, and social change in Japan. Japans economic, political and social stability developed intensely during the Meijis era. We're here to answer any questions you have about our services. All feudal class privileges were abolished as well. Japan expanded into the Ryukyu Islands and invaded Taiwan in the 1870s, which a very weak China did not repel. Eligible Japanese voters elected the members of the Diet. The reforms enacted during the Meiji emperor 's rule brought about the modernization and Westernization of the country and paved the way for Japan to become a major international power. In addition, most small towns developed in bigger urban areas. Japan was accepted by the Western powers as an equal. There were many causes for the Meiji Restoration, including rice inflation (samurai paid in rice), a decaying bureaucracy, increasing interactions with foreign technology. Railroad In 1872, the railroad between Shimbashi and Yokohama was opened and steam locomotives began to operate. Japan quickly instituted universal education, created a Western-style army and navy, and fell madly in love with something the American sailors were seen playing - baseball. Japanese people readily accepted such drastic social changes. So all of a sudden, Japan had a highly educated population with more social mobility. To add to these, there was education for both boys and girls in the society. to modernize. The Japanese mainly relied on imported ideals during restoration in order emulate Western nations who, in the Japanese eyes were advanced and powerful. Others mistakenly thought they could deliver parcels to distant places by telegraph and therefore hung parcels on the tower. He demanded that Japan open itself up for international trade. As a result, there were 20,000 schools nationwide. The atrocities that were committed against the Chinese people in Nanjing, and the deaths of so many people, were not the product of a cold, calculated plan. The grouped countries were Netherlands and China. These aspects were key elements in the characterization of a developed nation. This change included major transition in the military, foreign relations, economy, social structure and internal politics. Thus, the Meiji Restoration was a combination of Western ideals reconstituted with traditional Japanese mores. Education brought a smooth transition to the growth and transition into the Meijis period. Communism in China Factors & Rise | How Did China Become Communist? By the 20th century, Japan had a modern constitution and national parliament, though it was not truly democratic. The second major slogan was Fukoku Kohei, or enrich the country, strengthen the army. The government played a huge role in social change by creating new. They comprised part of the military, teaching staff, makers of guns and government officials. There were three main reasons for this war and the resulting changes: This minuscule period of a half-century began with a technologically stunted Japanese shogunate in the 1860s that quickly changed and grew into an imperialistic power that would later defeat the Russian Navy. Those uprisings were repressed only with great difficulty by the newly formed army. Schooling combined Western ideas with Japanese culture. This political revolution "restored" the emperor to power, but he did not rule directly. Daimyo (, daimy, Japanese pronunciation: ()) were powerful Japanese magnates, feudal lords who, from the 10th century to the early Meiji period in the middle 19th century, ruled most of Japan from their vast, hereditary land holdings. The government enforced local ordinances in various regions but it was not until the end of the Meiji Era, which was nearly 40 years later, that mixed bathing was diminished. Why is Japan called the Land of the Rising Sun? Though the emperor was considered the highest position in feudal Japan, the shogun and their military establishment kept him from wielding any real power. This is known as the General Principles and Strategic Framework for the Conservation and Management of the Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Kyushu-Yamagachi and Related Areas. Western ships were interacting with China and thus were frequently asking for port supplies from Japanese ports, culminating in the Nagasaki incident of 1808, in which a British ship took local Dutch sailors captive in exchange for supplies. Meiji period was a form of historical transition in Japan. Moreover, new government did not allow the Samurai males to carry along with them weapons that would act as a form of identification for them. The whole of Japan became interested in Western culture and began actively adopting it. Japan was able to walk a fine line between Western ideas and influences and traditional Japanese ideas to create a unique Japanese national identity. succeed. This included education and learning which resulted into a stronger generation in the time of the Meijis era. The Meiji regime had a well established administration that included a prime minister. These included the Simutomo, Mitsui and Konoike family lines. The era resulted into the introduction of boarder line trading. The industrial sector was also transformed to modern manufacturing industry like those that only appeared in the West. Gakusei, the First National Plan for Education, formalized the future of education in Japan and focused on modeling Japanese education after Western . In the days of the Meiji Restoration, it was believed that the way to modernization and Westernization was to deny the old things of the previous era, which were regarded as barbaric and uncivilized. Most of the change occurred during the Meiji period. There were radical changes that took place during the Meiji transformation. This modernization was spread to almost all economic sectors in the country. Titles of land ownership were issued to farmers, as were demands for taxation. Likewise, the educators of Meiji Japan (especially early on) were largely drawn from the shizoku. The Meiji Restoration was a coup dtat that resulted in the dissolution of Japans feudal system of government and the restoration of the imperial system. A military dictator, or shogun, ruled over everyone. Yoshinobu mounted a brief civil war that ended with his surrender to imperial forces in June 1869. We've received widespread press coverage since 2003, Your UKEssays purchase is secure and we're rated 4.4/5 on reviews.co.uk. This was the negative effects of social changes during Meiji Restoration. First, the idea of sonno joi, or "revere the emperor and expel the foreigners," took hold with those that were against the decaying power of the shogunate. In addition, advancement in technology impacted the following areas; the military, political system and lastly the social aspect. His downfall led to so many positive dramatic changes. This involved the people and the physical objects. You know, like old cars polished and souped-up to look like new again. First, they had to expand the boarders to allow other traders to interchange their goods with them. Shintoisms were the only religions in Japan until the arrival of Buddhism in the 6th century CE. Therefore, a revolution was started that was geared to more of advancement and revolution. This was commendable because it brought a lot of advancement not only in labor force but also in areas of research and creation of educational institutions. Following are the social changes brought about during the period of the Meiji Restoration. Chinese military group were not prepared to the great modernization that had taken placed. In 1882, the first horse-drawn carriage railroad opened in Tokyo. Also, national holidays were created, such as "National Foundation Day," which celebrated the foundation of Japan as well as the idea of all Japanese people as a member of the Japanese nation-state. Learn when the Meiji Restoration began, its main goal, what caused it, and how it changed Japan. In 1885 a cabinet system was formed, and in 1886 work on the constitution began. The kind of education the Japanese acquired enabled them to manufacture powerful weapons that were used for the territory security. 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This focus encouraged Japan to build a modern nation-state that could stand toe-to-toe with the Western powers. The entrepreneurs in Japan became more enlightened and powerful. Under the emperor as a symbol of ancient Japanese authority, the people came together, and they began to think of Japan as a great and powerful nation that would be the most powerful country in Asia. There were many causes for the Meiji Restoration, including rice inflation (samurai paid in rice), a decaying bureaucracy, increasing interactions with foreign technology. Furthermore, the new Japanese education . The government forced people to change their hairstyle because the chonmage was seen as a barbaric custom in the eyes of Westerners. For modernization to be effective, the government thought it was necessary to raise the peoples level of education. The emperor, at the time, was a figurehead. Steamship Japans leading shipping company today, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, wasfounded in 1885. But before Japan was a powerful Nation, it needed to modernize. The new government was very tactical. This event had a domino effect on the whole of Japan, as various clan heads and prominent politicians, including Samurais, realized the urgency to modernize the country. The shogun was a member of the Tokugawa clan, so this time was known as the Tokugawa shogunate. The Meijis reign was a far-reaching era that was constituted majorly with change. Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. (The school attendance rate in England at that time was 20% and the literacy rate was 10%). One of these major effects of the event was the fact that the previously feudal country was transformed into an empire that was entirely capable of competing with many of the greatest powers of the time. The major challenges that affected the Meijis rule were born by the negative effects of the Shogunate. The Japanese emperors in that time knew well that for them to make it through the wars that were foreseen, they were to be well armed as the imperial superpowers. The Meiji era (, Meiji jidai, Japanese pronunciation: [me(d)i]) is an era of Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868 to July 30, 1912. It occurred during a three-year period from 1866 to 1869 that traversed the end of the Edo period (often called Late Tokugawa shogunate) and beginning of the Meiji Era. They were constantly exploited and denied any freedom. Although Japan also had an emperor hanging around, the emperor had little to no power. As the Japanese modernized and formed a national identity, the ideas of Bunmei Kaika (civilization and enlightenment) and Fukoku Kohei (enrich the country and protect the military) combined with the newly created Meiji Constitution to shape Japan into a strong, militaristic country. A picture of Ginza, now part of Tokyo, in the 1880s. The enacting of a constitution and formalization of a parliamentary system of government. It was at the time of the era that Japan started emerging as a big international trade country. Furthermore, their genuine interest in progress economically also boosted the country in terms of economic development. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. 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The adoption of universal education. Western-style architecture Brick architecture. The purpose of this in vivo study was to evaluate and compare the dentin-pulp complex response following occlusal and cervical restorations in rat molars restored with nano-hydroxyapatite silica glass ionomer cement (nano-HA-SiO2-GIC) and conventional glass ionomer cement (c-GIC). Japan underwent a vast array of changes after the Meiji Restoration. Omissions? Japan made rapid strides to industrialize after the Meiji Restoration of 1868, boosting its transportation and communication networks and revolutionizing its light industry by the turn of the century. Many companies known worldwide were founded during Meiji Era. This aspect was going to be very crucial but the leaders were dedicated to bring change in Japan. Japan created an efficient rail system, improved communications technology, and started mechanizing industry. Adopting the slogan Enrich the country, strengthen the army (Fukoku kyhei), they sought to create a nation-state capable of standing equal among Western powers. Meiji continued with reforms, cutting the samurai off from their exalted status by conscripting every male in Japan to the military for four years at age 21 in 1873. The Tenpo calendar (lunisolar calendar) was used until December 2, 1872, after which the solar calendar was adopted. The Japanese disposed of their feudal system for a representational government, copied many Western ideas, and unified into an educated yet imperialistic country. Their main slogan during the regime was Strengthen the military as a result of enriching the power. This reign opened a new era for Japan as a country in its social, political and economic aspects. Age of Marriage in Japan -Legal and average ages. Postal system The postal system was started in 1871, running between Tokyo and Osaka. In addition, the Japanese went to an extent of winning a war against Russia a super powerful country. The most affected government sectors were the social, political, economic oriented institutions. Telegraph When the telegram system first started, many people didnt understand what it was. laws and a constitution. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. This put an end to the policy of banning Christianity, which had been in place since the early Edo period. For the prime minister, the proud story of the. The Meiji Emperor represented a mixture of West and East. After the shogunate's power had been removed, it was handed over to the Meiji Emperor to exact certain changes that the Japanese people were beginning to admire in the West. Big family enterprises did develop during Togukawa era. This Meiji restoration has given a lot of positive effects to the Meiji nationalism. Draw students' attention to clothing, architecture, utilities, transportation, and other details. Japan was so powerful that it ended up being transformed from a mere island nation to an imperial power by its own right and might. Therefore, between 1894 and 1895, Japan was in a great position to defend itself against any external attacks by any external military forces. Japan replaced its feudalistic government, led by the Tokugawa Shogunate, with representative government; they copied Western ideas, including those of the nation-state and technology, with amazing successes and unified into a cohesive, educated, and aggressively expanding country. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. They added coffee to milk as if it were a spice. Following world war two, the emperors in Japan resolved to form a new rule that was democratic in stature. The new leaders in Japan resorted to reform the work system of the major territories by daimyo (Shimposha 289). 'Restoration' sounds like you're going back, making things look how they used to look. After this, the Japanese quickly sent "observers" to the West to understand its culture while copying much of the technology they had missed over the previous centuries: the steamboat, the railroad, guns, and artillery. In areas such as Ginza, gas lamps were installed on both sides of the roads, and lamps became popular in private homes. A privy council composed of the Meiji genro, created prior to the constitution, advised the emperor and wielded actual power. There were three main causes of the Meiji Restoration: First, internal problems in Japan made ruling the country too difficult. They employed a sense of honor in their duties hence accomplished their work with diligence. Japan accelerated industrial revolution was as a result of Meijis era. Nikita Khrushchev Career & Destalinization | Who was Nikita Khrushchev? Today the government of Shinzo Abe is making much of the anniversary. How Did the Meiji Restoration Change Japan? All rights reserved. The Meiji era was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people moved from being an isolated feudal society at risk of colonization by Western powers to the new paradigm of a modern, industrialized nation state . Consequently, catching up with the newest forms of technology according to that era would have been a great challenge incase a former leader retained the office. A strong national army and navy became a main priority. By the end, Japan had become a strong new nation with its own kokutai and aspirations to become a world imperial power. 160 -61Google Scholar, 'It has long been recognized that the Meiji Restoration was influenced and motivated by foreign relations beginning with the Opening of Japan. This therefore contributed greatly to Japans revolution which was a transition from the feudal government. The Meiji Restoration was a coup dtat that resulted in the dissolution of Japans feudal system of government and the restoration of the imperial system. In its place, a democratic social and political system was established based on constitutional law over the course of about 20 years, and it led to significant economic reforms and growth. Free resources to assist you with your university studies! This allowed Japan to maintain a connection to its past while aggressively looking toward the future. The origin of the entrepreneurs was the Sumarais. Knowledge was to be sought in the West, the goodwill of which was essential for revising the unequal treaties that had been enacted and granted foreign countries judicial and economic privileges in Japan through extraterritoriality. But in 1867, the 15th Tokugawa shogun resigned, and by 1868, the Meiji Restoration had begun. Moreover, Japan started to import raw materials which were manufactured into finished products and then were sold to other countries. There were many causes for the Meiji Restoration, including rice inflation (samurai paid in rice), a decaying bureaucracy, increasing interactions with foreign technology. This led to production and manufacturing of more sophisticated goods that fitted in the modern revolution. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In Japanese military history, the modernization of the Japanese army and navy during the Meiji period (1868-1912) and until the Mukden Incident (1931) was carried out by the newly founded national government, a military leadership that was only responsible to the Emperor, and with the help of France, Britain, and later Germany . The formation of a national army. Peasants, distrustful of the new regime and dissatisfied with its agrarian policies, also took part in revolts that reached their peak in the 1880s. Countries that acted as partners were like the Great Britain. This oath was to act as a sign of treaty for change to more democratic governance. Towards the end of the 19th century, Japan was copying the imperialism that it saw in other Western countries. Dissolving of the Shogunate, creation of a constitution, creation of a democratic Diet. The war ended in the northern island of Hokkaido after the remaining forces of the shogunate tried to create a breakaway empire and were quashed. A strong national army and navy became a main priority. Registered office: Creative Tower, Fujairah, PO Box 4422, UAE. This sounds like an urban legend, but these stories were recorded. The foresight by the Japanese to embrace modernizing was a great stepping stone into their winning strategies. If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help! What were three effects of the Meiji Restoration? Education, social class, and women's roles changed drastically when Japan began to modernize. Also, Japan sent ad hoc ambassadors to the West, like Yukichi Fukuzawa, to analyze, write about, and ultimately mimic the Industrial Revolution powering the West. It signed treaties with America, Russia, Canada and many countries in Europe. This led to a powerful military rise in the year 1905. Effects of this event include the immense growth of the Japanese and expansion of the railroads during the period of 1840 to 1920. Study for free with our range of university lectures! Economic Effects of Meiji Restoration. The abolition of the feudal system and all feudal class privileges. The Meiji Restoration completely transformed Japan by modernizing the country. Their goal first included the formation of deliberative assemblies; secondly was reviewing the customs and replacing the old and evil customs with new ways. It was led by young samurai who saw the need for change. Japan first started out as an isolated nation, but soon it would become one of the most powerful countries during WWII. Moreover, some members who were supporters of daimyo were accepted in the new government and were reappointed as leaders. The Meiji Restoration turned the mostly agricultural Japanese feudalistic economy to a laissez-faire capitalist and industrialist society, which copied and ultimately matched many countries in the West.
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