1. The Age of Imperialism (1800–1914)
Lesson 6 The Modernization of Japan

2. The Age of Imperialism (1800–1914) Lesson 6 The Modernization of Japan
Learning Objectives
Identify the problems faced by Tokugawa Japan.
Explain how the United States opened Japan to the outside world.
Analyze the causes and effects of the Meiji Restoration.
Describe how Japan began to build an empire.

3. The Age of Imperialism (1800–1914) Lesson 6 The Modernization of Japan
Key Terms
Matthew Perry
Mutsuhito
Tokyo,
Meiji Restoration.
Diet,
zaibatsu
homogeneous society
First Sino-Japanese War.
Russo-Japanese War,

4. Unrest in Tokugawa Japan
In 1853, United States warships arrived off the coast of Japan demanding Japan open its ports to trade. Japanese leaders debated how to respond. Some resisted giving up their longstanding policy of seclusion. Others felt that the wiser course was to learn from the foreigners.

5. Unrest in Tokugawa Japan
The Tokugawa Shoguns
Tokugawa had control in Edo while emperor lived in Kyoto
1637- closed Japan to Westerners
Banned Japanese from traveling overseas
250 years of isolation
Hardships Grow
All classes suffer under system
Many wanted reform while others wanted to maintain traditional way of life

6. Unrest in Tokugawa Japan
Before contact with the West, samurai held privileged positions in Japanese society.

7. The Opening of Japan
While the shogun faced troubles at home, disturbing news reached him from abroad. With alarm, he heard of how the British had defeated China in the Opium War and how imperialists had forced China to sign unequal treaties. Japanese officials realized it would not be long before Western powers sought trading rights in Japan.

8. The Opening of Japan
External Pressure Leads to Internal Revolt
Heard news of China
Mathew Perry of US sails into Edo bay
Negotiated a treaty with Japan-
Open 3 ports
Won trading rights and extraterritoriality
Daimyo and Samurai led revolt
Restored Mutsuhito to power
Moved capital to Edo and renamed Tokyo
The Meiji Restoration
Tried to Westernize as quickly as possilbe

9. The Opening of Japan
In this Japanese woodblock print, Japanese boats go out to meet one of Commodore Matthew Perry's ships in Tokyo Bay.

10. Transformation during the Meiji Period
The Meiji reformers faced an enormous task. They were committed to replacing the rigid feudal order with a completely new political and social system and to building a modern industrial economy. Change did not come easily. However, Japan adapted foreign ideas with great speed and success.

11. Transformation during the Meiji Period
Reforming Government
Get rid of Feudal society
Adapted German model of govt
All citizens equal
Ruled by autocrat
Diet-
Western style bureaucracy
Rapid Industrialization
Zaibatsu-
Social Changes
Society more open
Women gain education but still restricted
An Amazing Success
Homogeneous society-
By late 1890’s, could compete with Western powers

12. Transformation during the Meiji Period
This woodblock print shows the announcement of the new Meiji constitution in 1889, which created a European-style government in Japan. Analyze Images What other European influences do you see in the print?

13. Transformation during the Meiji Period
Analyze Charts Meiji reformers worked to industrialize Japan. How does the chart reflect this goal?

14. Japan Builds an Empire
As in Western industrial nations, Japan’s economic needs fed its imperialist desires. As a small island nation, Japan lacked many basic resources, including coal, that were essential for industrial growth. Spurred by nationalism and a strong ambition to equal the West, Japan sought to build an empire. With its modern army and navy, it maneuvered for power in East Asia.

15. Japan Builds an Empire Japan Expands Needed resources to industrialize
First Sino-Japanese War-
Over Korea
Japan won easily
Russo Japanese war-
Gained land in Manchuria
Korea
Absorbed into Japan empire
Couldn’t defend themselves
Japanese Rule in Korea
Unpopular
Imposed harsh rule
Improved infrastructure

16. Japan Builds an Empire
A modern army helped Japan create an empire. Here, the Meiji army fights the Chinese army for control of Manchuria in 1894.

17. Quiz: Unrest in Tokugawa Japan
By the mid-1800s, why did so many groups of people in Japan feel discontented?
A. The economy changed but the social and political structure remained the same.
B. The shoguns were becoming too powerful.
C. The economic structure remained unchanged, but the social structure was rapidly transforming.
D. The shoguns remained strong leaders, but the traditional economic structure collapsed.

18. Quiz: The Opening of Japan
How did the government and Japanese society react when Japan was forced to accept unequal treaties?
A. The samurai and daimyo rebelled and restored the shogun to power.
B. The shogun began many reforms, angering the samurai and daimyo.
C. The samurai and daimyo pressured the shogun to initiate reforms.
D. The samurai and daimyo restored the emperor to power and worked to reform Japan.

19. Quiz: Transformation during the Meiji Period
What changes did the Meiji Restoration bring about in Japan?
A. strong nationalism and a return to traditional values and social structure
B. rapid industrialization, modernization, and changes in government and society
C. government ownership and control over all business and production
D. moderate reforms that slowly transformed industry, government, and society

20. Quiz: Japan Builds an Empire
Why did industrialization help start Japan on an imperialist course?
A. Japan needed access to natural resources, enabling Japan to build an empire.
B. Japan needed more workers and funding for rapid industrialization.
C. Powerful zaibatsus gained foreign technology through imperialist conquests.
D. The Japanese military encouraged continued foreign expansion.