MEIJI REVOLUTION MEIJI REVOLUTION IN JAPANIN JAPAN

IES FRAY PEDRO DE URBINA. Dpto. de Geo. e HistoriaIES FRAY PEDRO DE URBINA. Dpto. de Geo. e Historia

JAPAN AND ITSJAPAN AND ITS

INFLUENCE AREASINFLUENCE AREAS

JAPAN BEFORE REVOLUTIONJAPAN BEFORE REVOLUTION Its political system was very similar to European feudalism, the Its political system was very similar to European feudalism, the

emperor (that like the absolute monarchy was believed descended emperor (that like the absolute monarchy was believed descended from the gods) had no real power, but depended on the daimyo from the gods) had no real power, but depended on the daimyo (feudal lord) most important. This was titled "Shogun", which is (feudal lord) most important. This was titled "Shogun", which is the highest rank a daimyo could get. So the political regime was the highest rank a daimyo could get. So the political regime was called Shogunate. However, until 1853 Japan had remained called Shogunate. However, until 1853 Japan had remained isolated from the rest of the economic and political world (except isolated from the rest of the economic and political world (except for China and the Netherlands). On this date came a U.S. Navy for China and the Netherlands). On this date came a U.S. Navy fleet which intended to demand a trade agreement.fleet which intended to demand a trade agreement.

This is also known asThis is also known as "Kuro-fune Raikō“"Kuro-fune Raikō“ (arrival of the black(arrival of the black ships).ships). Not having an armedNot having an armed fleet to face, Japan hadfleet to face, Japan had to accept the treaty,to accept the treaty, showing how weakshowing how weak was the country.was the country.

SHOGUNATESHOGUNATE The military government that was established in The military government that was established in

Japan between the late twelfth century to the Japan between the late twelfth century to the Meiji revolution. Meiji revolution.

The shogun ("Army Commander") was a military The shogun ("Army Commander") was a military rank and historical title that gave the Emperor. rank and historical title that gave the Emperor. The shogun was the person who led the The shogun was the person who led the Shogunate. Shogunate.

There were three shogunates: There were three shogunates: Kamakura shogunate Kamakura shogunate Ashikaga shogunate Ashikaga shogunate Tokugawa shogunateTokugawa shogunate

Last Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu (1867)

MEIJI REVOLUTIONMEIJI REVOLUTION Between 1867 and 1912 the Meiji era takes place: Between 1867 and 1912 the Meiji era takes place:

a new Japan develops, more open-minded, but a new Japan develops, more open-minded, but keeping its essential traditions.keeping its essential traditions.

The Revolution has a unique feature: a part of the The Revolution has a unique feature: a part of the aristocracy was who saw to change and renounce aristocracy was who saw to change and renounce their privileges necessary. Therefore, they were their privileges necessary. Therefore, they were divided into two camps, the Ishin Shishi and divided into two camps, the Ishin Shishi and supporters of the shogunate. Landowners (daimyo) supporters of the shogunate. Landowners (daimyo) who were against the shogunate led the Ishin who were against the shogunate led the Ishin shishi. Supporters of the shogunate had different shishi. Supporters of the shogunate had different forces to face these revolutionaries and the forces to face these revolutionaries and the struggles were violent.struggles were violent.

For 1867 the revolutionary movement had For 1867 the revolutionary movement had achieved a breakthrough and the Emperor Meiji achieved a breakthrough and the Emperor Meiji (which had no real power) dictated the order (which had no real power) dictated the order dissolving the bakufu (shogunate). But shogun dissolving the bakufu (shogunate). But shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu refused to leave power and in Tokugawa Yoshinobu refused to leave power and in 1868 five more battles, called the Boshin Wars, 1868 five more battles, called the Boshin Wars, resulted in the surrender of the shogunate .resulted in the surrender of the shogunate .

Ōkubo Toshimichi, the leader of the

Ishin Shishi

MUTSU-HITO: FROM TOP MUTSU-HITO: FROM TOP REVOLUTIONREVOLUTION

On the death of Emperor Komei in 1867, the new On the death of Emperor Komei in 1867, the new Emperor Mutsu-hito chose the name Meiji Emperor Mutsu-hito chose the name Meiji (Government of Light) to designate his reign. The (Government of Light) to designate his reign. The principles of government were to restore the principles of government were to restore the authority of the Emperor and Westernization, ie, the authority of the Emperor and Westernization, ie, the end of the feudal era and the conversion of Japan in end of the feudal era and the conversion of Japan in the first non-Western country that developed the the first non-Western country that developed the techniques of the First Industrial Revolution.techniques of the First Industrial Revolution.

Mutsu-hito installed in Tokyo after weaken the Mutsu-hito installed in Tokyo after weaken the shogun and reaffirm the Mikado (Emperor shogun and reaffirm the Mikado (Emperor Authority). He managed changes, which produced a Authority). He managed changes, which produced a revolution from above revolution from above combining tradition and combining tradition and modernity.modernity.

A religious change was the recover of Shinto A religious change was the recover of Shinto (native religion of Japan, which worships spirits of (native religion of Japan, which worships spirits of nature), which included ancestor worship, exaltation nature), which included ancestor worship, exaltation of the Emperor and allowed to adopt liberal of the Emperor and allowed to adopt liberal institutions and assimilating western techniques.institutions and assimilating western techniques.

To do this, it was promoted the study in universities To do this, it was promoted the study in universities in Europe and the U.S., to take the best of each in Europe and the U.S., to take the best of each place: the educational structure and organization of place: the educational structure and organization of the German army, the British parliamentary the German army, the British parliamentary structure and marine engineering, and the French structure and marine engineering, and the French reform of the army and penal code.reform of the army and penal code.

REFORMS IN POLITICS AND REFORMS IN POLITICS AND INSTITUTIONSINSTITUTIONS

The political and institutional reform is based on The political and institutional reform is based on the formation of a Consultative Assembly, the the formation of a Consultative Assembly, the proclamation of the Jury Code of Five Articles by proclamation of the Jury Code of Five Articles by Emperor and the creation of the first structure of Emperor and the creation of the first structure of the Meiji government, Seitaisho, which mixed the Meiji government, Seitaisho, which mixed traditional forms of bureaucracy and Western traditional forms of bureaucracy and Western forms of representation with separation of forms of representation with separation of powers.powers.

With the creation in 1873 of the Ministry of With the creation in 1873 of the Ministry of Interior, the new governors are appointed from Interior, the new governors are appointed from Tokyo and fully control of local administration is Tokyo and fully control of local administration is established. To complete the measures it was established. To complete the measures it was created a unified and conscript army.created a unified and conscript army.

SOCIAL REFORMSSOCIAL REFORMS Between 1870-1880 social reforms Between 1870-1880 social reforms

were made, removing the privileges were made, removing the privileges of class, giving legal equality and of class, giving legal equality and implementing penal codes similar to implementing penal codes similar to the French.the French.

Western dress is used in official Western dress is used in official ceremonies, meat is consumed, the ceremonies, meat is consumed, the Gregorian calendar is implanted and Gregorian calendar is implanted and compulsory education is created.compulsory education is created.

ECONOMIC REFORMSECONOMIC REFORMS Economic reforms included the reorganization of Economic reforms included the reorganization of

monetary circulation in a decimal system, the yen, as monetary circulation in a decimal system, the yen, as the new currency. Now the legislature controls the new currency. Now the legislature controls spending, a register is made and the sale of land is spending, a register is made and the sale of land is allowed.allowed.

Land reform is approved (1873), with more social than Land reform is approved (1873), with more social than economic sense: taxes must be paid by the peasant, economic sense: taxes must be paid by the peasant, not by the village; based on land, not on harvests; and not by the village; based on land, not on harvests; and they should be given directly to the state -not to the they should be given directly to the state -not to the daimyo-, and were paid in cash, not in kind.daimyo-, and were paid in cash, not in kind.

• • The creation of the Ministry of Industry (1870) The creation of the Ministry of Industry (1870) supposed capitalist - industrial takeoff. Government supposed capitalist - industrial takeoff. Government directions were the development of a consumer textile directions were the development of a consumer textile industry based on cotton and silk; development of industry based on cotton and silk; development of strategic industries - weapons and arsenals-; transport strategic industries - weapons and arsenals-; transport development, giving priority to maritime;development, giving priority to maritime;

development of heavy industriesdevelopment of heavy industries(coal, gold and silver mines and(coal, gold and silver mines andconstruction); and colonizationconstruction); and colonizationof Hokkaido (second largestof Hokkaido (second largestisland of Japan, north of theisland of Japan, north of themain island).main island).