Most of the change occurred during the Meiji period which began in 1868 and lasted until 1912. Looking for a flexible role? China had a more reluctant response which led to their defeat. Japan's goal of achieving fukoku kyohei, "rich country; strong military", fuelled major political, economic and social changes during the Meiji Restoration. Meiji period was characterized by rapid change and modernization. They believed that the West depended on constitutionalism for national unity, on industrialization for material strength, and on a well-trained military for national security. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The collection includes accounts of daily life in Japan, material about missionary activities, and the writings of diplomats and long-term residents of Japan discussing the impact of Westerners on Japanese society, as well as the history of the foreign communities in Japan. The emperor was mostly involved in governance issues such as administration and organization of the cabinet. From 1603 to 1868 Japan was a feudal society with a hierarchy of lords, samurai, and peasants. This rule was termed as the enlightened rule because it was to transform Japan from its nave nature to a more modernized society. This was also adopted for police and postal uniforms. They wanted to unite the country under a new, centralized government in order to strengthen their army to defend against foreign influence. The nation was closed off to foreigners. Japan had reverted back to a shogunate. A quick skirmish led to other provinces breaking away from the shogunate and announcing their loyalty to the emperor alone. Education was a sure foundation for development as it had been changing from time to time. It knew the main brainstems of the economy. How did the Meiji Restoration change Japan? Finally, the dual ideals of Bunmei Kaika or "Civilization and Enlightenment" and Fukoku Kohei or "Make the county rich and grow the military" combined Japanese aspirations for not only nationalism but also a forward-looking culture that espoused both technology and militarization. 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 Meiji period lasted until 1912 and catapulted Japan into the modern era. The new emperor eliminated the government and reestablished the imperial throne, but the emperor did not have any political power and was seen as a political symbol. By the end, Japan had become a strong new nation with its own kokutai and aspirations to become a world imperial power. It gave the government further motivation to become an imperial power in Asia, ultimately setting the gears in motion for Japan's actions in World War II. Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. One more major purpose for the formation of new government was to search for international knowledge that would be helpful in strengthening the rule of imperialism. He is certified in South Carolina to teach both. 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. 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. The Emperor of Meiji and other high-ranking government officials also had their hair cut short. Causes of the Meiji Restoration. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. More narrowly, was the character of Meiji institutions determined by the social composition of the anti-Tokugawa movement, or did it derive from a situation that took shape only after the Bakufu was overthrown? ChristianityIn 1873, the government removed the ban on Christianity. Japan underwent a vast array of changes after the Meiji Restoration. Separation of Buddhism and Shintoism The main purpose of the policy of separating Shintoism and Buddhism was to change Japans official religion from Buddhism, which was the dominant religion in the Edo Era, to Shintoism. The major challenges that affected the Meijis rule were born by the negative effects of the Shogunate. Following world war two, the emperors in Japan resolved to form a new rule that was democratic in stature. Education, social class, and women's roles changed drastically when Japan began. There was no military in Japan during the Edo Period. This led to the Boshin War. Postal system The postal system was started in 1871, running between Tokyo and Osaka. Age of Marriage in Japan -Legal and average ages. Furthermore, the new Japanese education . Furthermore, many feudal lords or daimyo disagreed with the absolute rule of the bakufu or shogunate, and his retainers, as the bakufu continued to isolate Japan while adhering to a feudal caste system of merchants, peasants, samurai, daimyo, shogun, and emporer, ranked respectively from lowest to highest. In a wider context, however, the Meiji Restoration of 1868 came to be identified with the subsequent era of major political, economic, and social changethe Meiji period (18681912)that brought about the modernization and Westernization of the country. The leaders of the restoration were mostly young samurai from feudal domains (hans) historically hostile to Tokugawa authority, notably Chsh, in far western Honshu, and Satsuma, in southern Kyushu. The Meiji Restoration used some Western ideas, like liberalism, but it infused them with ancient Japanese philosophy and culture, resulting in the blossoming of art, literature, and even technology. - Facts & Timeline, The English Civil War and the Rise of Cromwell's Theocracy, The Glorious Revolution of 1688: Events and Significance, Glorious Revolution Lesson Plan for Elementary School, What Is the English Bill Of Rights? It got rid of the feudal system and created the Meiji Constitution establishing a bureaucratic, centralized government. The school attendance rate was 80% and the literacy rate was 90%, making Japan the most academically advanced country in the world. In areas such as Ginza, gas lamps were installed on both sides of the roads, and lamps became popular in private homes. The Shogunate Before From 1603 to 1868 Japan was a feudal society with a hierarchy of lords, samurai, and peasants. Allowing people to move between strict financial groups. A strong national army and navy became a main priority. The arrival of foreigners and the decay of shogunate leadership accelerated their slowly deteriorating power structure. 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. I feel like its a lifeline. The Meiji period that followed the Restoration was an era of major political, economic, and social change in Japan. The Meiji Era that followed the Meiji Restoration in 1868 marked the formation of a new gender structure in Japan. The reason for this was that; there was no way a former leader would rule an enlightened environment. This was followed by the promulgation of the school system in 1872. Japan was able to walk a fine line between Western ideas and influences and traditional Japanese ideas to create a unique Japanese national identity. This was like an assurance to the Meijis era because by the time the transition was taking there would be great achievements. This oath was to act as a sign of treaty for change to more democratic governance. One of the these was the virtually bloodless end of the aristocratic warrior class known as the samurai. The Chinese branded themselves with the notion of self superiority. The development of industries during the Togukawa period resulted into the subsequent growth of many industries during the Meiji era. This is to pose the problem of the relationship between day-to-day politics and long-term socioeconomic change. [Formulate historical questions] Grades 5-12: Analyze the goals and policies of the Meiji state and their impact on Japan's modernization. Consequently, western technology was greatly employed by domestic companies to produce highly sophisticated products. Because Japan had been a closed country since the 1600s, excluding one island in Nagasaki exclusively used by the Dutch, the shogunate reacted by declaring death to anyone who aided foreigners. The emperor, at the time, was a figurehead. Moreover, Japan started to import raw materials which were manufactured into finished products and then were sold to other countries. Japanese people readily accepted such drastic social changes. What were the causes of the Japanese industrial revolution? An error occurred trying to load this video. First, the capital was moved from Kyoto to Edo, which became known as Tokyo. It was not going to be pushed around. Third, Japan started building kokutai, which means national essence. During the Edo period, children in Japan learned to read, write, and use the abacus at schools called Terakoya (temple school). Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. While a much more populated China had fallen into bloody civil wars and confrontations with the West, Japan's rise was markedly peaceful and successful, leading to further imperialistic expansion in the lead up to World War II. Education, social class, and women's roles changed drastically when Japan began to modernize. This focus encouraged Japan to build a modern nation-state that could stand toe-to-toe with the Western powers. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The Meiji Reforms led to an educated and industrial Japan, which expanded into several imperialistic wars in which several foreign countries were defeated. A military dictator, or shogun, ruled over everyone. The new governance was formed after the abolition of feudalism. The development resulted into Japan becoming a powerful industrial country. There were some negatives effects of Meiji Restoration as Japan abolished many traditional things which would be loved by the people in the 21st century. A nation-state is a country where the population shares a common national and cultural identity. Scientific Revolution Lesson Plans & Resources, Revolutions in Latin America Lesson Plans, Oliver Cromwell, Hero or Villain? Unlike a tax at a defined rate per year, land reform creates the possibility of losing all one's land and the improvements in one go, i.e. This meant that Japan was controlled by the Genro a part of the Oligarchy. By the end of the Meiji Restoration: Japan became a modern nation-state. 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. This change included major transition in the military, foreign relations, economy, social structure and internal politics. First, they had to expand the boarders to allow other traders to interchange their goods with them. However, the Meiji government believed that having a strong military was essential to be a nation like the U.S. or European countries. They thought that without modernizing Japan, the country would be colonized. Abolishing the immobile class system. Decent Essays. Major contributors to economic development were road construction networks that led to developments of central business district. These also had a collective name which was Tsushin-no-kuni. They adopted the school education system of Europe and the U.S. The Japanese mainly relied on imported ideals during restoration in order emulate Western nations who, in the Japanese eyes were advanced and powerful. Many merchants gained financial knowledge that would be used during Meijis period. Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals from one socio-economic strata to another, followed by a change in their social status. The brief Boshin War, from 1868-1869, pitted shogunate-supporting samurai against a smaller group of breakaway provinces that were armed with rifles and other weapons. Finally, Japan allied with Britain against Russia, culminating in Japan's attack at Port Arthur and the destruction of an overconfident Russian fleet coming to save the city in the Battle of Tsushima. This last group of countries was invited to major Japanese events like celebrations and in big festivals. The change occurred in their dressing style which became more western in style. Japan's Meiji Restoration of 1868 had many effects on Japan and the world from 1840 to 1920. Steamship Japans leading shipping company today, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, wasfounded in 1885. The Meiji Restoration was a time for change and life of women was changing. This strong nature led to the rule and discrimination of traditional monarchies that surrendered at the end. Also, Japan was preparing itself for future incapacities that could arise due to lack of better preparation. To add to these, there was education for both boys and girls in the society. Japan began mass-producing silk, coal, and other resources. Japan's success in modernization has created great interest in why and how it was able to adopt Western political, social, and economic institutions in so short a time. We're here to answer any questions you have about our services. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The reforms enacted during the Meiji emperors rule brought about the modernization and Westernization of the country and paved the way for Japan to become a major international power. This was followed in 1898 by the adoption of the same surname for married couples under the Civil Code. The first was Bunmei Kaika, or civilization and enlightenment. Even today, there is a law controlling the possession of swords in Japan. Their main slogan during the regime was Strengthen the military as a result of enriching the power.
