1. III. RISE OF MODERN JAPAN
A. Japan Responds to Foreign Pressure
By end of 19th century Japan emerging as modern imperialist power. Followed western nations while trying to preserve Japanese values
1. An End to Isolation
Japan had been isolated for 200 years and westerners wanted to end that policy. US was first when Matthew Perry arrived in Edo bay with a letter from President Millard Fillmore asking the Japanese for better treatment of sailors shipwrecked on the Japanese islands. He also asked for open foreign relations. Under military pressure, Japan agreed to the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US.
2. Resistance to the New Order
Resistance to opening foreign relations was especially strong among the samurai warriors. They started uprisings against government and after a period of time the shotguns forces collapsed and began the Meiji Restoration.
Shogun had isolated Japan for 200yrs. During this time they only traded through one port ( Nagasaki) with the Dutch and Chinese. Western powers wanted to end this believing it would benefit all powers.
The first power to be successful was the USA mattew perry arrived in what is now Tokyo bay. He brought with him a paper from president Fillmore asking for the better treatment of ship wrecked sailors. Japan agreed to the treaty of kanagawa which provided for the return of ship wrecked american sailors, open towo ports to western traders, and establish a US consulate in Japan (:  the office, term of office, or jurisdiction of a consul
:  the residence or official premises of a consul)
Japan will soon sign treaties with other European Nations.
There were those who did not agree with opening their doors ( like the samurai) they forced the shogun to promise to end relations with the west. Samurai forces tried to attack western ships but when fired back upon they were demolished because they had no experience with western wepondery.
This incident made the Sat Cho samurai forces more upset and they demanded that the shogun in control resign and reestablish the power of the emperor. There was a battle and after a few weeks the shogun collasped.

2. B. The Meiji Restoration
New leaders embarked on a policy of reform making Japan a modern Industrial nation. Symbol was Emperor MUTSUHITO. He called his reign the Meiji or “Enlightened Rule” capital moved to Kyoto. 
1. Transformation of Politics
New leaders moved first to abolish the old order and to strengthen power in their hands. Territories became known as prefectures. Meiji reformers set out to create a modern political system based on a western model. Promised to create a new legislative assembly. During next 20 years Meiji undertook a careful study of western political systems. Two main factions appeared: the liberals, who wanted political reform based on western liberal democratic model. Progressives wanted power to be shared between the legislative and executive branches. Constitution was modeled after Germany and most authority was given to the executive branch. Upper house included royal appointments and elected nobles and lower house was elected. Final result was political system that was democratic in form but authoritarian practice.
The sat cho did not trust the west but understood Japan needed to change. Mutsuhito was the new emperor and a symbol of the new times. But just like previous emperors who had been controlled by the shogun he was controlled by the sat-cho. The capital of Japan was now moved to Tokyo.
Daiymo who had been the lords of the different lands basically were stripped of their titles and as compensation they were given titles as governors and money. The country was divided up into 75 prefectures or provinces and today there only remain 45. each governor signed the Charter oath agreeing to a new form of government as well modeled off other western powers.

3. 3. Military and Education
2. Meiji Economics
Set up a land reform program which made the traditional lands of the daimyo into the private property of the peasants. Under the new system, the farmers had to pay the land tax every year, regardless of the quality of the harvest. The chief goal of the reformers was to create a rich country and a strong state. Government gave subsidies to needy industries, provided training, improved transportation and communication. Close relationship between government and private business.
3. Military and Education
Military was key focus. New imperial army based on compulsory military service was used.
Education changed and the leaders realized the need or universal education.
4. Modern Social Structure
Japanese society was highly hierarchical, arranged in a formally ranked order. Women were especially limited by the “three obedience’s”: child to father, wife to husband, and widow to son. Meiji restoration had a marked effect on the traditional social system in Japan. Special privileges for the aristocracy were abolished. Women were allowed to seek an education.
Less attractive side: many commoners were ruthlessly exploited in the coal mines and textile mills.
The transformation into modern did not totally detach Japan from its ancient traditions.
Peasants had to pay a 3% land tax. The problem with this was that during bad harvest the peasants had to pay a tax and if they couldn’t they had to sell their land to a wealthy neighbor and become tenant farmers to so that rich who had owned all the land before were now getting it back.
The next step to create a strong state was to establish business as another source of income. The government gave money to industries to provide training for foreign advisors, improve transportation and communication, and a new educational system focused on science. Business began to focus on tea, silk, weapons, shipbuilding, and sake.
the key to the business success in Japan was the relationship with the government. the gove encourager development by giving money and privilege to business owners. Once the business was on its feet it was turned over to private ownership, but even then the gove played some role.
All men are required to serve three yrs and new modern weapons.
Universal education modeled after the American system with still a key emphasis to family and emperor.
Women were married at 16 and did not receive and education and could not inherit property.
Because of the new industry system special privelges for the rich were ablished and women could rcieve an education.
Coal miners were shot if they tried to leave their work even when it was 130 F

4. C. Joining the Imperialists
Soon copied the imperialist western approach to foreign affairs.
1. Beginnings of expansion
Began close to home by claiming Ryuku (ree YOO kyoo)Islands. Forced Korea to open trade. Rivalry with Russia over Korea led to increasingly strained relationships.
2. War with Russia
Russo-Japanese war began in Japan launched a surprise attack on Russian naval base at Port Arthur. Russia sent navy only to have it defeated by Japan. This war stunned the world and made Japan a world power.
3. US Relations
US recognized the role of Japan in Korea. Japan recognized US control in Philippines. 
Japan was is a small nation with no room to expand like other nations and they need more resources for production so they began to turn to other nations.
No one thought that this small nation who had been shut away for two hundred years would have ever been a force to recon with.
The Gentlemen's Agreement of 1907 (日米紳士協約 Nichibei Shinshi Kyōyaku?) was an informal agreement between the United States and the Empire of Japan whereby the United States of America would not impose restriction on Japanese immigration, and Japan would not allow further emigration to the U.S. The goal was to reduce tensions between the two powerful Pacific nations. The agreement was never ratified by Congress, and was ended by the Immigration Act of 1924.

5. D. Culture in an Era of Transition
1. New Western model
Japanese authors began translating and imitating the western model of literature. The novel changed greatly. Japanese invited technicians, engineers etc from Europe and USA to teach their modern skills. Japan copied western artistic technique and styles. Huge buildings of steel and reinforced concrete appeared in many Japanese Cities.
2. Return to Tradition
Many Japanese artists began to return to older techniques. The Tokyo school of Fine Arts was established to promote traditional Japanese art. Japanese artists searched for new but truly Japanese means of expression. Some artists tried to bring together native and foreign techniques.