Asia’s “Success Story” in the Age of Imperialism The Meiji Restoration Asia’s “Success Story” in the Age of Imperialism

Tokugawa Japan Since 1600, Tokugawa Japan had followed a policy of isolationism Shoguns had closed Japan off to foreign traders and missionaries and did not allow Japanese to travel overseas Goal of isolation was to preserve Japanese culture and independence

Japan Opened In 1853, a fleet of American ships commanded by Commodore Matthew Perry sailed to Tokyo demanding the Japanese open their ports for trade The reluctant shogun was forced to accept several unequal treaties very much like the ones that existed between the Chinese and British (Treaty of Kanagawa) Soon other European powers moved in and created similar treaties with the powerless Japanese

The Meiji Restoration Many Japanese resented the growing dominance of Europeans, who they viewed as barbarians As a result, the shogun was overthrown in 1867 and replaced with the Japanese Emperor Mutsuhito

The Meiji Restoration This “restoration” of the Emperor is perhaps the most important turning point in Japanese history For the next 44 years, Meiji reformers successfully transformed Japan from a “backward” country into one of the richest and most powerful nations in the world

The Meiji Restoration Japanese sought to learn from Westerners and eventually beat them at their own game Members of the Japanese government were sent abroad to study the government, economies, technologies, militaries, and customs of the west

Government Reform In 1889, a new constitution modeled after Germany was set up Limited suffrage was given to males and legislature was created, but the Emperor had absolute power

Military Reform A new military system was set up as well to replace the old samurai system All able men were required to serve and the newest weaponry was adopted By 1890, Japan had a powerful army and navy capable of expelling foreigners

Economic Reform Following the lead of Britain and the United States, the Japanese built thousands of railroads, mines, and factories in the late 1800’s

Economic Reform By the turn of the century, Japan was one of the top industrial powers in the world And like those powers, Japan now desired to create an empire of its own Industrial Output 1900

The Sino-Japanese War Being a small island, Japan lacked many natural resources essential to industrial growth like coal and iron In 1894, Japan fought and defeated China in order to gain more land and resources, annexing Korea and Taiwan

The Russo-Japanese War Ten years later, competition over Korea and Manchuria led to war between Russia and Japan After gruesome fighting, the Japanese surprised the world by defeating Russia It was the first time in modern history that an Asian power had humbled a European nation and the event forced the Western world to recognize Japan as a major global power

Japan Before and After

Japan Before and After

Japan Before and After

How was Japan able to modernize so quickly? Adaptability Homogeneous Society Nationalism