A Brief Look at Japan in the A Brief Look at Japan in the 1800s to 1900s1800s to 1900s

Do you remember?Do you remember?

Under the Tokugawa Under the Tokugawa Emperor, the Japanese Emperor, the Japanese shoguns had chosen a shoguns had chosen a policy of isolationism policy of isolationism in the early 1600s. in the early 1600s.

Foreigners were Foreigners were prohibited to enter prohibited to enter Japan and the Japan and the Japanese were Japanese were “prohibited” from “prohibited” from leaving.leaving.

Outside powers threatenOutside powers threaten After the defeat of the Chinese After the defeat of the Chinese

by the British in the Opium war by the British in the Opium war and with the growing presence and with the growing presence of European and U.S. warships of European and U.S. warships (1850s) Japanese leaders (1850s) Japanese leaders “decided” to sign trade treaties “decided” to sign trade treaties and open Japan to outsiders.and open Japan to outsiders.

Japan was now open Japan was now open to outside influences.to outside influences.

Japanese Government overthrownJapanese Government overthrown The threat from outsiders and a The threat from outsiders and a

desire for a new direction desire for a new direction unified many Japanese leaders unified many Japanese leaders against the Tokugawa rulers.against the Tokugawa rulers.

Powerful provincial leaders Powerful provincial leaders joined together to overthrow joined together to overthrow the Tokugawa rulers, and began the Tokugawa rulers, and began the the Meiji periodMeiji period..

1860s - 1900s 1860s - 1900s

Japan transformed itself into Japan transformed itself into a major industrial and a major industrial and

military powermilitary power

The Meiji GovernmentThe Meiji Government The emperor of The emperor of

the Meiji period the Meiji period was the was the figurehead of the figurehead of the government in government in which power was which power was held by the held by the wealthy wealthy landowners and landowners and businessmen in businessmen in congress and in congress and in the military the military (oligarchy).(oligarchy).

Meiji Japan adapts Meiji Japan adapts Western ideasWestern ideas

Japanese were sent Japanese were sent on study tours on study tours throughout Europe throughout Europe to learn and adapt to learn and adapt ideas, institutions, ideas, institutions, and techniques. and techniques. Europeans and Europeans and Americans were Americans were hired to help hired to help transform Japan.transform Japan.

New education New education system was set upsystem was set up

Meiji Japan transforms itselfMeiji Japan transforms itself

Modern army and Modern army and navy were based navy were based on European on European models.models.

JAPAN transformedJAPAN transformed

Rapid Rapid industrialization industrialization took place (with a took place (with a mix of government mix of government control and private control and private ownership).ownership).

Railroads were Railroads were built and urban built and urban areas became areas became more “modern”more “modern”

Japanese ImperialismJapanese Imperialism

Japan forced Korea to open its Japan forced Korea to open its ports to Japanese goods and ports to Japanese goods and eventually annexed it.eventually annexed it.

Victory in a 6 month war with Victory in a 6 month war with China gave Japan control of China gave Japan control of Taiwan (1894)Taiwan (1894)

Victory in a war with Russia Victory in a war with Russia gave Japan control of Manchuria gave Japan control of Manchuria (1905).(1905).

Japanese Japanese Imperialism Imperialism 1860-19141860-1914