1. Japan and the Meiji Restoration Transformation without Revolution

2. The Final Decades of the Shogunate. Political Structure During the first half of the 19th century, the shogunate continued to combine a central bureaucracy with feudal alliances between regional daimyos. During the first half of the 19th century, the shogunate continued to combine a central bureaucracy with feudal alliances between regional daimyos. The government encountered financial problems: taxation was based on agriculture; but the economy was becoming more commercialized. The government encountered financial problems: taxation was based on agriculture; but the economy was becoming more commercialized.

3. Japanese Society Japanese intellectual and cultural life continued to expand under the Tokugawa. Japanese intellectual and cultural life continued to expand under the Tokugawa. Neo-Confucianism kept its hold among the elite at the expense of Buddhism. Neo-Confucianism kept its hold among the elite at the expense of Buddhism. The upper classes became more secular. The upper classes became more secular. Education expanded beyond the upper classes (terakoya or “commoner schools”) and led to the highest literacy rate outside of the West. Education expanded beyond the upper classes (terakoya or “commoner schools”) and led to the highest literacy rate outside of the West.

4. Rivals to Confucianism A National Studies group venerated Japanese traditions, including the position of the emperor and Shinto religion (Conservatives). A National Studies group venerated Japanese traditions, including the position of the emperor and Shinto religion (Conservatives). Another group pursued Dutch Studies, or an interest in Western scientific progress. These scholars rejected Chinese influence (Liberals). Another group pursued Dutch Studies, or an interest in Western scientific progress. These scholars rejected Chinese influence (Liberals).

5. The Japanese Economy Internal commerce (and the merchant class) expanded and manufacturing spread into the countryside. Internal commerce (and the merchant class) expanded and manufacturing spread into the countryside. By the 1850s, economic growth was slowing as technological limitations hindered agricultural growth. By the 1850s, economic growth was slowing as technological limitations hindered agricultural growth. Rural riots reflected peasant discontent and helped to weaken the shogunate. Rural riots reflected peasant discontent and helped to weaken the shogunate.

6. The Opening of Japan The Voyages of Commodore Matthew Perry In 1853 Perry arrived in Edo Bay with several demands from the US president: In 1853 Perry arrived in Edo Bay with several demands from the US president: –allow Japan to serve as a US “coaling base.” –to make sure shipwrecked sailors received proper treatment. –Open up to trade.

7. Perry’s Return US naval might was quite persuasive. US naval might was quite persuasive. The Shogun was forced to open trade and diplomatic relations with the US. The Shogun was forced to open trade and diplomatic relations with the US. Other Western nations followed. Other Western nations followed. Westerners won the right to extraterritoriality. Westerners won the right to extraterritoriality.

8. Westernization of Japan Fearful of foreign domination, Japanese elites pushed for change. Fearful of foreign domination, Japanese elites pushed for change.

9. The Meiji Restoration Daimyo removed Shogun from power. Daimyo removed Shogun from power. Emperor Mutsuhito’s (Meiji) power was restored. Emperor Mutsuhito’s (Meiji) power was restored. Meiji Period was a period of rapid transformation, and industrialization. Meiji Period was a period of rapid transformation, and industrialization.

10. Political Changes under the Meiji New Constitution modeled on Bismarck’s Germany: it gave major authority to the emperor and lesser power to the Diet (bicameral parliament). New Constitution modeled on Bismarck’s Germany: it gave major authority to the emperor and lesser power to the Diet (bicameral parliament). Cabinet dominated by military leaders responsible to the Emperor. Cabinet dominated by military leaders responsible to the Emperor. Creation of a British-style navy and Prussian-style army. Creation of a British-style navy and Prussian-style army. Abolition of feudalism. Abolition of feudalism. Daimyo were replaced by nationally appointed prefects. Daimyo were replaced by nationally appointed prefects.

11. Political Changes Abolished the samurai class: many sought opportunities in commerce and politics. Abolished the samurai class: many sought opportunities in commerce and politics. Officials were sent to Europe and US to study their economies, technologies, and political systems. Officials were sent to Europe and US to study their economies, technologies, and political systems.

12. Political Changes Reformed military, with national conscription. Reformed military, with national conscription. Political parties formed on regional levels. Political parties formed on regional levels. Reorganized bureaucracy opened to those taking civil service examinations. Reorganized bureaucracy opened to those taking civil service examinations. Creation of property qualifications for suffrage limited voting rights to 5% of the male population; giving power to an oligarchy of wealthy businessmen and former nobles. Creation of property qualifications for suffrage limited voting rights to 5% of the male population; giving power to an oligarchy of wealthy businessmen and former nobles. ***Japan had imitated the West but retained its own identity. ***Japan had imitated the West but retained its own identity.

13. Economic Changes during the Meiji Period New banks were established to fund trade and provide investment capital. New banks were established to fund trade and provide investment capital. Railways and steam vessels improved national communications. Railways and steam vessels improved national communications. Guilds and tariffs were removed. Guilds and tariffs were removed. Land reform cleared the way for individual ownership and stimulated production. Land reform cleared the way for individual ownership and stimulated production.

14. Government Directs Japan’s Economic Transformation Government directed manufacturing through a Ministry of Industry. Government directed manufacturing through a Ministry of Industry. Model factories were created to provide industrial experience. Model factories were created to provide industrial experience. Compulsory education offered technical training. Compulsory education offered technical training. By the 1890s, huge industrial monopolies (zaibatsu) had been formed (Mitsubishi, Toshiba, etc…). By the 1890s, huge industrial monopolies (zaibatsu) had been formed (Mitsubishi, Toshiba, etc…). *Private enterprise was involved in the growing economy, especially in textiles. *Private enterprise was involved in the growing economy, especially in textiles. *Entrepreneurs came from all social ranks. *Entrepreneurs came from all social ranks.

15. Effects of Industrialization By 1900, Japan was fully engaged in an industrial revolution, but was still behind the West before World War I. By 1900, Japan was fully engaged in an industrial revolution, but was still behind the West before World War I. It depended on Western imports—of equipment and coal—and on world economic conditions. It depended on Western imports—of equipment and coal—and on world economic conditions. Successful exports required inexpensive labor and poorly paid women. Successful exports required inexpensive labor and poorly paid women. Labor organization efforts were repressed. Labor organization efforts were repressed. Massive population increase supplied cheap labor, but strained resources and stability. Massive population increase supplied cheap labor, but strained resources and stability.

16. Other Effects of Industrialization Schools began to stress science, technology, and national loyalty. Schools began to stress science, technology, and national loyalty. Western fashions in dress and personal care were adopted, along with the Christian calendar and metric system. (Christianity gained few converts). Western fashions in dress and personal care were adopted, along with the Christian calendar and metric system. (Christianity gained few converts). The birth rate dropped. The birth rate dropped. The divorce rate increased. The divorce rate increased. Shinto found new believers. Shinto found new believers. Traditional views of the inferiority of women in the household continued, despite the overall changes. Traditional views of the inferiority of women in the household continued, despite the overall changes.

17. Japan’s Foreign Policy during the Meiji Period By the 1890s Japan had become an imperialist nation. By the 1890s Japan had become an imperialist nation. Imperialism gave displaced samurai a role and a focus for rising nationalism. Imperialism gave displaced samurai a role and a focus for rising nationalism. Japan’s need for raw materials (especially oil and metals) helped pressure expansion. Japan’s need for raw materials (especially oil and metals) helped pressure expansion. China and Japan fought over Korea in 1894-1895; Japan’s quick victory demonstrated the presence of a new Asian power. China and Japan fought over Korea in 1894-1895; Japan’s quick victory demonstrated the presence of a new Asian power. A 1902 alliance with Britain made it an equal partner with other industrial powers. A 1902 alliance with Britain made it an equal partner with other industrial powers. Rivalry with Russia brought war in 1904 and another Japanese victory. Rivalry with Russia brought war in 1904 and another Japanese victory. Korea was annexed in 1910. Korea was annexed in 1910.

18. The Strain of Modernization Poor living standards in crowded cities. Poor living standards in crowded cities. Arguments increased between the generations over Westernization. Arguments increased between the generations over Westernization. The emergence of political parties caused disputes with the emperor and his ministers, leading to frequent elections and political assassinations. The emergence of political parties caused disputes with the emperor and his ministers, leading to frequent elections and political assassinations. Intellectuals worried about the loss of Japanese identity in a changing world. Intellectuals worried about the loss of Japanese identity in a changing world. Officials urged loyalty to the emperor as a way of holding a changing Japan together; a main factor in preventing revolution. Officials urged loyalty to the emperor as a way of holding a changing Japan together; a main factor in preventing revolution. Japanese nationalism built on the traditions of superiority and cohesion, deference to rulers, and the tensions from change. Japanese nationalism built on the traditions of superiority and cohesion, deference to rulers, and the tensions from change. No other nation outside the West matched Japan’s achievements. No other nation outside the West matched Japan’s achievements.