Grade 8 - Japan

Modernizing Japan ’ s Political System The new leaders of the Meiji government believed that Japan needed a strong, centralized government. They decided to prepare carefully for a constitutional government and not rush to implement it. The first step was to establish strong central control. The new leaders of the Meiji government believed that Japan needed a strong, centralized government. They decided to prepare carefully for a constitutional government and not rush to implement it. The first step was to establish strong central control.

Grade 8 - Japan The government’s goal was to be efficient and economical but the Meiji leaders disagreed on the type of government to rule Japan:   One group supported the French and American ideals of human rights and a representative government.   A more conservative group was more comfortable with the German model of centralized control. The government’s goal was to be efficient and economical but the Meiji leaders disagreed on the type of government to rule Japan:   One group supported the French and American ideals of human rights and a representative government.   A more conservative group was more comfortable with the German model of centralized control.

Grade 8 - Japan The leaders finally agreed to adopt a German-style government with a strong cabinet and limited powers of parliament, not a democratic model with greater freedoms for the citizens. The intent was to keep the population loyal to the central state and the emperor, rather than to the local government or their former daimyos. The leaders finally agreed to adopt a German-style government with a strong cabinet and limited powers of parliament, not a democratic model with greater freedoms for the citizens. The intent was to keep the population loyal to the central state and the emperor, rather than to the local government or their former daimyos.

Grade 8 - Japan Creating a Constitution Japan faced many trials as it adapted its political and economic systems, but it already had developed a new worldview about its place among nations. Japan believed it was as strong and capable as any other nation—a world leader, not a follower. Japan faced many trials as it adapted its political and economic systems, but it already had developed a new worldview about its place among nations. Japan believed it was as strong and capable as any other nation—a world leader, not a follower.

Grade 8 - Japan The leaders were in favour of developing a constitution for Japan:   Most strong European countries had constitutions   Western countries would regard Japan as a stronger nation if it had a western-style constitution   A constitution would unify Japan The leaders were in favour of developing a constitution for Japan:   Most strong European countries had constitutions   Western countries would regard Japan as a stronger nation if it had a western-style constitution   A constitution would unify Japan

Grade 8 - Japan Although all leaders agreed with developing a constitution, they disagreed about what model it should follow. The call for a constitution became a national issue. Many Japanese, especially the former Samurai, were not satisfied with the control of the strong central government. They wanted greater participation in government and a popularly elected assembly. Although all leaders agreed with developing a constitution, they disagreed about what model it should follow. The call for a constitution became a national issue. Many Japanese, especially the former Samurai, were not satisfied with the control of the strong central government. They wanted greater participation in government and a popularly elected assembly.

Grade 8 - Japan The Constitution of Japan – 1889 We hereby adopt a fundamental law of the State, to exhibit the principles by which We are guided in Our conduct, and to point out to what Our descendents and Our subjects and their descendents are forever to conform. The Emperor is “sacred and inviolable” and is above the law of the Constitution. Government ministers are responsible to the Emperor. The Emperor has the power to   command the military forces and control foreign policy   appoint cabinet ministers and judges   convene and dissolve the Imperial Diet (Parliament) at will Citizens are granted freedom of speech, religion and of association. However, the government reserves the right to withdraw these rights. The Constitution of Japan – 1889 We hereby adopt a fundamental law of the State, to exhibit the principles by which We are guided in Our conduct, and to point out to what Our descendents and Our subjects and their descendents are forever to conform. The Emperor is “sacred and inviolable” and is above the law of the Constitution. Government ministers are responsible to the Emperor. The Emperor has the power to   command the military forces and control foreign policy   appoint cabinet ministers and judges   convene and dissolve the Imperial Diet (Parliament) at will Citizens are granted freedom of speech, religion and of association. However, the government reserves the right to withdraw these rights.

Grade 8 - Japan Japan ’ s Military System In western countries, the military was part of the political and economic system. Japan also wanted a strong military for several reasons:   A strong centralized army would strengthen the government   Without military strength, Japan would always be considered a minor nation by western powers In western countries, the military was part of the political and economic system. Japan also wanted a strong military for several reasons:   A strong centralized army would strengthen the government   Without military strength, Japan would always be considered a minor nation by western powers

Grade 8 - Japan   Japan wanted to become a colonial power, because countries with colonies like Britain and France were highly respected   The leaders needed a strong military to ensure they could meet their political goals Japan decided to develop a powerful army and navy. They used the British navy and German army as their models.   Japan wanted to become a colonial power, because countries with colonies like Britain and France were highly respected   The leaders needed a strong military to ensure they could meet their political goals Japan decided to develop a powerful army and navy. They used the British navy and German army as their models.

Grade 8 - Japan The national military changed the Japanese worldview by breaking down class and regional differences. Young Japanese peasants, who had never been outside their villages, were forced to leave their homes to receive military training. When these young men returned home, they brought with them a new sense of nationalism and loyalty to the emperor. The national military changed the Japanese worldview by breaking down class and regional differences. Young Japanese peasants, who had never been outside their villages, were forced to leave their homes to receive military training. When these young men returned home, they brought with them a new sense of nationalism and loyalty to the emperor.

Grade 8 - Japan War With China and Russia Japan’s stunning victories over the Chinese in the Sino-Japanese War ( ) and over Russia in the Russo-Japanese War ( ) only serve to demonstrate the success of Japan’s modernization and its entry onto the world stage as a major military and economic power.

Grade 8 - Japan Take Home Points The Meiji leaders wanted a strong, centralized government. Although a constitution was also developed, it followed a German model of centralized control instead of allowing for greater freedoms and political participation for its citizens. The Meiji leaders wanted a strong, centralized government. Although a constitution was also developed, it followed a German model of centralized control instead of allowing for greater freedoms and political participation for its citizens.

Grade 8 - Japan The Meiji leaders also developed a strong military to strengthen their government and to become a respected imperial power such as Britain or France. The Meiji leaders used the British navy and the German army as their models. The Meiji leaders also developed a strong military to strengthen their government and to become a respected imperial power such as Britain or France. The Meiji leaders used the British navy and the German army as their models.

Grade 8 - Japan The Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War were both victories for Japan and marked the entry of a modern Japan onto the world stage as a major military and economic power.