Meiji Restoration What’s been going on with Japan?

Tokugawa Shogunate Expelled Christian Missionaries, virtually closed nation’s borders to foreigners From mid 17 th C. until 1853, Japan remained isolated Only allowed in 1 Dutch ship/ year and very restricted Chinese and Korean trade Japanese culture flourished Kabuki theatre, Bunraku (puppet theatre), Haiku

Decline of Tokugawa Class tensions: Samurai: elite warrior class, dishonorable to open business Merchant class grew more and more wealthy Daimyo to Edo to pay respects

Opening of Japan Commodore Matthew Perry convinced Japan to open to American trade The Shogun, afraid of what happened to China in the Opium War, allowed the US in Soon, Europeans also demanded trade Soon Japan had signed treaties with all European nations

Westernization of Japan Western military strength made Japan fearful of domination Moved to take country from feudalism to modern nationhood

Samurai Uprising 1858 Tokugawa shogun died with no heir 1860 Group of disgruntled samurai assassinated Shogun Il Naosuke Wrote a document expressing wish to “revere the emperor” and “expel the barbarians” Committed seppuku Battle between Samurai and national government Eventually the Samurai seized the Imperial Palace and proclaimed the restoration of the Japanese Emperor

Overthrow of the Shogun Nobles took power from Shogun (highest lord) and transferred power to Emperor Mutsuhito (1868) Mutsuhito changed his name to Meiji, “Enlightened” he was 16 Actual power was in hands of a group of young former samurai and allies Moved Capital to Edo and renamed it Tokyo “eastern capital” Modeled government on Bismarck’s Germany: Autocratic, cabinet of military leaders who answer only to Meiji

Restructuring of Japan Military British-type navy, Prussian-type army Education Compulsory public education, became highly literate Agriculture Nobles gave up feudal privileges Peasants no longer bound to soil, many owned land Industry Textiles, steel, machinery, ships Fukoku Kyohei “Enrich the country, Strengthen the army” popular phrase of the time (replacing the old slogan sonnō jōi: "Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians"

Japan Turns to Imperialism Reasons Needed raw materials Honor and glory for Japan Outlet for “surplus” population Near Asian underdeveloped nations (does this sound familiar or what?)

Japan Takes Over Sino-Japanese War ( ) Overwhelms China, acquires Taiwan, sphere of influence in Korea (annexes Korea in 1910) Russo-Japanese War ( ) Defeated Russia, acquires Russia’s sphere of influence in Manchuria (This is going to impact WWII) World War I ( ) Did little for Allies, but acquires Germany’s concessions on Shangtung Peninsula and mandates over German’s pacific Islands