Meiji Restoration

Rise of Imperial Japan

Internal Problems

By early 19th century, Japanese society was in turmoil– Declining agricultural productivity– Periodic crop failures, famine, and starvation– West arrives demanding trade with Japan

Challenge of the West

Arrival of Matthew Perry (1853)– Perry’s “Black Ships”

steam into Tokyo Bay– Force the Japanese to

establish trade and diplomatic relations with the U.S.

– Unequal TreatiesSimilar to the treaties signed by the Qing dynasty

Japanese depiction of Admiral Matthew Perry

Internal ConflictShogunate’s dealings with West viewed as dishonorable– Popular slogan: “Revere the emperor, expel

the barbarians”Two minor wars between supporters of emperor and supporters of the shogun– January 3, 1868, the last shogun abdicated

and the Tokugowa shogunate was destroyed

Modernization: Meiji Restoration

Abolish feudal order– Administrative districts replace feudal domains– Daimyo removed from power– Samurai class is abolished

Constitutional government– Constitution of 1889 based on German model

Establishes constitutional monarchy with legislature– Emperor commanded the armed forces

Left: Structure of Meiji Governement; Above: Mutsuhito, the Meiji

Emperor

Modernization: Meiji Restoration

Japanese industrialization– Modernize transportation (RR),

communication, and education– Sold government businesses to private

investors

Modernization: Meiji Restoration

Japanese industrialization (cont’d)– Creation of zaibatsu

Combination of state initiative and private investmentConsolidates economic power into the hands of a few powerful families

Social Developments

No reforms to ease burdens on rural populationMassive population growth– Strained resources and kept labor costs low

Role of women– Maintain inferiority of women in the home– Silk industry relied upon women working in

factories

Japanese Imperialism

Sino-Japanese War– Japan gains influence

over KoreaRusso-Japanese War– Japan’s navy leads to

victory over RussiaJapan annexes Korea in 1910