The Meiji Restoration also saw a dramatic increase in Westernisation, as Japan rapidly industrialised and adopted many Western technologies and ideas. It signed treaties with America, Russia, Canada and many countries in Europe. The reforms enacted . Rickshaw The jinrikisha is a vehicleinvented in Japan, based on the Western horse-drawn carriage. The rule that existed in the Meijis period wanted a collaboration of views that would integrate both western ways to traditional values. On the other hand, the samurai still held their heads high since they still remained the most educated of all in the society (More 55). copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. This issue eventually led to the creation of an opportunity for revolution in the labor force. At the same time, universal education was introduced to Japan. Around the same time, it was decided that formal wear for government officials must be western-style clothing. This reduces the incentive to improve one's land (investment), the very thing which creates growth and . To maintain the firm economic foundation, the Japanese had to form institutions that could be used to harness knowledge that would assist in continuity of knowledge gained during the Togukawas era. Order to abolish swords A law prohibiting the former samurai class from carrying swords was enforced. Japan began mass-producing silk, coal, and other resources. In Japanese military history, the modernization of the Japanese army and navy during the Meiji period (1868-1912) and until the Mukden Incident (1931) was carried out by the newly founded national government, a military leadership that was only responsible to the Emperor, and with the help of France, Britain, and later Germany . The Japanese had no weapons to match the American firepower, so they had to agree with Perry's demand. The development of industries during the Togukawa period resulted into the subsequent growth of many industries during the Meiji era. 430 Words; 2 Pages; Open Document. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Following world war two, the emperors in Japan resolved to form a new rule that was democratic in stature. These major transitions created a more clear foundation for exercising democracy in the Japanese government. What were the causes of the Japanese industrial revolution? Members of the ruling samurai class had become concerned about the shogunates ability to protect the country as more Western countries attempted to open Japan after more than two hundred years of virtual isolation. Countries that acted as partners were like the Great Britain. Social changes during the Meiji Restoration are expressed through a special and generic term in Japan: Bunmei Kaika. Its literal translation is blooming of civilization but it was actually coined by Fukuzawa Yukichi as the translation of the English word civilization.. The new government was very tactical. Copyright 2003 - 2023 - UKEssays is a trading name of Business Bliss Consultants FZE, a company registered in United Arab Emirates. Because Japan had been a closed country since the 1600s, excluding one island in Nagasaki exclusively used by the Dutch, the shogunate reacted by declaring death to anyone who aided foreigners. Their main slogan during the regime was Strengthen the military as a result of enriching the power. However, this triggered a movement to abolish Buddhism, which led to the destruction of temples and Buddhist objects. Japan created an efficient rail system, improved communications technology, and started mechanizing industry. Tomioka Silk Mill (started operation in 1872) To promote modernization, the Meiji government also focused on the construction of Western-style factories. What happened during the Meiji Restoration quizlet? The population in the city of Tokyo was distributed evenly. These beliefs catapulted the Meiji regime into a more organized and democratic governance. This resulted in the Japanese shogunate tightening rules for interaction with foreign shipping. There were countries which were segregated and repelled to an extent that they could not form partnerships with Japan. Also, Japan sent ad hoc ambassadors to the West, like Yukichi Fukuzawa, to analyze, write about, and ultimately mimic the Industrial Revolution powering the West. Towards the end of the 19th century, Japan was copying the imperialism that it saw in other Western countries. This system had also reduced many of its samurai warlords to glorified office clerks, forced to reside in Tokyo with the feudal lords they served. The Meiji Restoration turned a feudalistic Japan into an educated, technological, and expansionistic nation that was intent on conquering Asia. Dissolving of the Shogunate, creation of a constitution, creation of a democratic Diet. Japan's success in modernization has created great interest in why and how it was able to adopt Western political, social, and economic institutions in so short a time. The Essay Writing ExpertsUK Essay Experts. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UKEssays.com. In addition, the military adopted more westernized weapons and guarding tactics. The Meiji Emperor represented a mixture of West and East. Erin has taught English and History. Furthermore, the new Japanese education . Japan made rapid strides to industrialize after the Meiji Restoration of 1868, boosting its transportation and communication networks and revolutionizing its light industry by the turn of the century. Furthermore, many feudal lords or daimyo disagreed with the absolute rule of the bakufu or shogunate, and his retainers, as the bakufu continued to isolate Japan while adhering to a feudal caste system of merchants, peasants, samurai, daimyo, shogun, and emporer, ranked respectively from lowest to highest. One of the main contributing factors to Japans modernization was the emulation of Togukawa society and the Togukawa beliefs (Craig 150). Most scholars, however, insisted that it was left to Japan to decide at the time of . Read about the Meiji Restoration and its effects. The Meiji Restoration (1868-1890) was named after the emperor, who took the name Meiji, which means 'enlightened rule.' The emperor and a new ruling class decided it was time to remodel Japan on a . On the other hand, restoration would mean that these things existed before which is not the case for the Meijis era. It was presented as a gift from the emperor to the people, and it could be amended only upon imperial initiative. Within a few decades of Perry's arrival, Japan created something akin to the Bill of Rights or Constitution, the Meiji Constitution, which was presented to the emperor by the Diet, an analog to America's Senate and House of Representatives, and this created a formal two-house parliament that voters selected. Western-style architecture Brick architecture. This was also adopted for police and postal uniforms. What were some effects of the Meiji Restoration? The revolutionary changes carried out by restoration leaders, who acted in the name of the emperor, faced increasing opposition by the mid-1870s. Japan was accepted by the Western powers as an equal. The new leaders in Japan resorted to reform the work system of the major territories by daimyo (Shimposha 289). In its place, a democratic social and political system was established based on constitutional law over the course of about 20 years, and it led to significant economic reforms and growth. Our academic experts are ready and waiting to assist with any writing project you may have. What were the effects of the Meiji Restoration? These people were better placed in the economic grounds than any other group because of their rich cultural heritage. This overlapped into the Meijis era hence forming the big banking facilities that were seen during the Meijis era. A recognition that Japan needed western technology to prevent itself from being colonized. which began in 1868 and lasted until 1912. https://www.britannica.com/question/What-caused-the-Meiji-Restoration. China had a more reluctant response which led to their defeat. The feudal system was decaying, and factions were growing. This was very tactful as it was significant for a new revolution. Therefore, the expansion of towns provided a good basis for innovation. However, this trade was nonexistent in the past or it only existed in a limited form (Ebrey 405). "Social changes" during the Meiji Restoration are expressed through a special and generic term in Japan: "Bunmei Kaika." Its literal translation is "blooming of civilization" but it was actually coined by Fukuzawa Yukichi as the translation of the English word "civilization." We've received widespread press coverage since 2003, Your UKEssays purchase is secure and we're rated 4.4/5 on reviews.co.uk. The abolition of the feudal system and all feudal class privileges. This meant that Japan was controlled by the Genro a part of the Oligarchy. View history. Some critics argue that the strict binary gender differences, which are characteristics of modern society, were not present before the Meiji period in Japan (Sogojyoseishi Kenkyukai, 1993: 118-21; Yokota, 1995: 364). The grouped countries were Netherlands and China. This was followed in 1898 by the adoption of the same surname for married couples under the Civil Code. This was the negative effects of social changes during Meiji Restoration. The merchants who existed in the previous era gained financial and entrepreneual knowledge that would be used in the subsequent period which was the Meiji period. It is at this time that Japan was controlled by the Samurai and daimyo who had received power transition from Tokugawa era. The aim was to restore imperial power under Mutsuhito, this was the decline of the Edo (Tokugawa) era 1603-1867 in Japanese history (the emperor Meiji). Japan accelerated industrial revolution was as a result of Meijis era. Horse-drawn carriage (street car) Railroad cars pulled by horses traveled over the railroad tracks. This political revolution "restored" the emperor to power, but he did not rule directly. The emperor was mostly involved in governance issues such as administration and organization of the cabinet. This was seen in different sectors of the government. This acted as prerequisite for the excellent learning methods that were employed during the Meijis period. What followed was a procession of abrupt changes and internal battles that quickly changed the formerly isolated and peaceful Japan into an emerging power in Asia. Japan was compromised by a feudal system of military warlords that forbade any foreign exposure with the threat of execution. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Adopting the slogan Enrich the country, strengthen the army (Fukoku kyhei), they sought to create a nation-state capable of standing equal among Western powers. Looking for a flexible role? Therefore, a revolution was started that was geared to more of advancement and revolution. What changes did the Meiji restoration bring about in japan? Two breakaway provinces of Choshu and Satsuma, which had been shunned by the shogunate over the last few centuries, supported the rule over the emperor instead of the shogunate. The foresight by the Japanese to embrace modernizing was a great stepping stone into their winning strategies. Separation of Buddhism and Shintoism The main purpose of the policy of separating Shintoism and Buddhism was to change Japans official religion from Buddhism, which was the dominant religion in the Edo Era, to Shintoism. The revolutionary changes carried out by restoration leaders, who acted in the name of the emperor, faced increasing opposition by the mid-1870s. One of the most significant changes was the end of feudalism in Japan. Therefore, the Meijis era opted to create a solution for the need at hand. Furthermore, their genuine interest in progress economically also boosted the country in terms of economic development. Unlike a tax at a defined rate per year, land reform creates the possibility of losing all one's land and the improvements in one go, i.e. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. The enacting of a constitution and formalization of a parliamentary system of government. Denmark bans COVID vaccine for under 18-fact check. Major changes occurred in the roles of the Emperor, Samurai and Peasants during the Meiji period and the modernisation also assisted in fundamental changes such as diet, clothing and education. These also had a collective name which was Tsushin-no-kuni. 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Document #6: Overall Effects Based on the quotes and your new knowledge, what were the overall effects of the Meiji Restoration on Japan? While teaching materials in the early Meiji years were overwhelmingly translated from western sources, room was nonetheless made for the largely samurai staff to instruct their pupils in the traditional values they themselves had been brought up with. Moreover, new government did not allow the Samurai males to carry along with them weapons that would act as a form of identification for them. Create your account. There was no military in Japan during the Edo Period. Japans economic, political and social stability developed intensely during the Meijis era. This therefore contributed greatly to Japans revolution which was a transition from the feudal government. The rise of Japan, beginning in the Meiji Restoration, is an amazing story of modernization over a quick half-century. This was commendable because it brought a lot of advancement not only in labor force but also in areas of research and creation of educational institutions. Also in 1871 a national army was formed, which was further strengthened two years later by a universal conscription law. The reason why Meiji reformers wanted to modernize Japan was because they wanted to become equivalent to the Western countries instead of being considered inferior and barbaric. There were radical changes that took place during the Meiji transformation. For example, Japan changed from a feudal system to a more structured government. First, the army became more refurbished (Tipton 400). But rather, they were the victims of a violent outburst of a feeling of imperialist entitlement by a country that had created a narrative about its own role in Asia, which its Chinese neighbors resolutely did not share. The feudal system was decaying, and factions were growing. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. The modernization resulted into Japan being rated as the most developed in the whole of Eastern Asia. [] The emperor was reinstated as sovereign, and he took the name Meiji. Therefore, it called for the former governor or leaders to step down and give way for the new leaders. First, they had to expand the boarders to allow other traders to interchange their goods with them. All rights reserved. During the Edo Period, mixed bathing in public baths was common. Examples of these companies are Toshiba, Noritake, Yamaha, Nippon Express, Hitachi, Shiseido and Nintendo. These were all possible thanks to the nation's modernized military and industrialization systems as Japan adapted from Western nations as it aimed to become a world power. The reforms enacted during the Meiji emperors rule brought about the modernization and Westernization of the country and paved the way for Japan to become a major international power. After the shogunate's power had been removed, it was handed over to the Meiji Emperor to exact certain changes that the Japanese people were beginning to admire in the West. It was at the time of the era that Japan started emerging as a big international trade country. For modernization to be effective, the government thought it was necessary to raise the peoples level of education. They saw that they needed to strengthen themselves to stand up to the Western powers - and with China humiliated, there was an opportunity to become the new big dog in Asia. In which country does the sun rise first? These included educational achievements, rapid economic development and common cultural and social background. The Meijis reign was a far-reaching era that was constituted majorly with change. Corrections? First, the capital was moved from Kyoto to Edo, which became known as Tokyo. The reason for this was that; there was no way a former leader would rule an enlightened environment. 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The basis for education was to make the citizens learned and also to counter the rapid changes that occurred in the modern world. Finally, the dual ideals of Bunmei Kaika or "Civilization and Enlightenment" and Fukoku Kohei or "Make the county rich and grow the military" combined Japanese aspirations for not only nationalism but also a forward-looking culture that espoused both technology and militarization.
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what were the social effects of the meiji restoration