Meiji Japan Revolution from Above? Response to Imperial Challenge?

The Meiji Restoration: Issues Issues –responses to imperial challenge –Nationalism –revolution from above –late development –costs of catching up

The Tokugowa Period From 1600 until 1868 Japan was governed by a centralized feudal state Politically, the country was divided into han, or feudal divisions under the nominal control of daimyo, or feudal lords Japan was effectively closed to the outside world

Tokugowa Japan there was a rigid social hierarchy – daimyo at the top – samurai below them – peasants further down – artisans, and – at the bottom, merchants Peasants were highly taxed compared to either samurai or merchants

Japan Opened to the West

Challenges to Japan What did the arrival of Perry’s ships mean for Japan? What could inhibit Japan’s response? What had been China’s response to Western imperial powers?

The Meiji Response Centralizing Power under the nominal authority of the Emperor Meiji They engaged in wholesale borrowing of western institutions and practices Socially, they abolished the han and thus undercut the daimyo's social power They established universal conscription into the army, thus undercutting the samurai's monopoly on the right to bear arms

The Meiji Response Essentially, they eliminated the feudal social structure and universalized citizenship They established universal primary education and set up a number of universities The government initiated a number of industrialization projects, later turning them over to private investors They eliminated extraterritoriality

Japan’s Imperial Expansion

Accomplishments of the Meiji Period a highly centralized, bureaucratic government a constitution establishing an elected parliament a well-developed transport and communication system a highly educated population free of feudal class restrictions an established and rapidly growing industrial sector based on the latest technology a powerful army and navy

The Costs of Japan’s Revolution from Above What does Soseki say? Social costs Cultural costs Impact on East Asia?

Japanese Empire in the 20 th Century