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MEIJI RESTORATION

Modernisation of Japan

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Background

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Background

Little is known about Japan’s early history because the Japanese developed writing at a late date.

Until the 6th century A.D., the Japanese had no accurate written records.

According to legend, the gods created Japan, and their descendant, Jimmu, became the first emperor of Japan in 660 B.C.

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Social divisions in Japan

  1. The Mikado or emperor ruled in theory but in reality was powerless.
  2. The shogun, or most influential lord, controlled military affairs as well as justice, law making and finance; a military dictator
  3. The Daimyos, or local lords, held landed estates and maintained private armies.
  4. The Samurai, or warriors, served in the lord’s armies. They observed a warrior’s code, bushido. This code emphasized obedience to the feudal lord, compliance with daily etiquette, contempt for physical danger.
  5. The peasants, who worked the land, were at the bottom of this feudal society. Commoners could not advance to aristocratic status because of rigid class distinctions.
  6. The feudal government and society of Japan in many ways resembled the feudal system of western Europe.

By the 12th century, Japan’s imperial central government proved too weak to maintain law and order. The country thereupon entered a 700 year feudal period of rule by the warrior class.

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Samurai

  • “samurai sword” is called a katana (long sword). Each katana was made by hand, handed to a specific samurai in a coming-of-age ceremony, named, and expected to become part of him for life.

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Major Shogunates�

Kamakura Shogunate(1192-1333)

Ashikaga Shogunate(1338-1573)

Tokugawa Shogunate(1603-1867). The

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Year 1853.

Commodore Perry of USA sailed to Bay of YEDO and submitted the charter of demands and letter from the President of USA to the Japanese Emperor.

The letter said,

  1. Protection of American sailors in case of American ships were destroyed in japanes sea.
  2. American ships could refill coal and water in the Japanes harbour.
  3. Opening of Japanese ports for trade.

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WHY AMERICA WAS INTERESTED IN JAPAN �

  1. Development of Trade with China through Canton.
  2. Growth of Whaling industry in the Pacific.
  3. The opening of California, symbolised by the Gold Rush.(1849)
  4. The progress of Steam engine

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What was Perry’s motive ?

To obtain future Japanese assistance to American seamen .

But the major motive was an expectation that a useful trade could be carried out between Japan , a closed country and America

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Japan at the time of Perry’s visit

It was in a turbulent state. In theory the emperor was both the temporal and spiritual head but in reality, since 12th century , he reigned without governing .

The actual powers was in the hands of Tokugawa Shogunate –a feudal chief.

As a result of isolation of around 200 years , there was internal peace and shogun had slowly relaxed the power , as a result, dissatisfied clans had consolidated the power.

When Perry arrived the power of Shoguns was on decline .

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Perry returned to Japan in the following year

  • Opened negotiations with Shoguns to gain concessions for America .

Finally on 31st March 1854, Treaty of Kanagawa

  1. Opened the ports of Hakodate and Shimoda to American ships.
  2. The sailors and passengers of the wretched ships be given shelter in Japan and their country be accorded most favoured treatment.
  3. It was permitted to have consul at Shimoda .
  4. Trade would be carried according to local rules

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Treaties

Similar treaties were later signed by powers like England, Russia and Holland.

JULY 1858 Harris (American Commander ) signed Treaty of Amity and Commerce

  • Four more ports Kanagawa, Nagasaki, Neegata and Hayoga were opened tom Americans.
  • Americans assured to help Japan in case western countries created any trouble for her.
  • Japan will charge 5% customs duty on her imports from and exports to America
  • It was decided foreign currency would be allowed to enter Japan and have free exchange.
  • Granted the right of extra-territoriality to the Americans
  • Treaty would be revised on July 4th 1872

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Major Decisions

  • So when the question of foreign interaction could not be evaded, Shoguns submitted it to the advice of a Council of the feudal chiefs.
  • Considering both the internal and external conditions , Shoguns and his council at Yedo had to side with minority.
  • Opening of the country , however exposed the weakness of the dual system of government . Whenever , any troublesome question arose , the foreigners hesitated to recognise the plea of shogun and wanted to refer the matter to the emperor in Kyoto

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  • There was widespread opposition to the concessions granted by shogun to the foreigners .
  • As a result of influx of foreign goods in Japan , thousands of Japanese workers were thrown out of employment . The economic discontent of the people intensified the popular apathy to the foreigners.

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  • The opposition was symbolised by the slogan revere the Emperor, expel the Barbarians

  • In 1866 Anti shogun alliance was formed and in the same year he died and was succeeded by his guardian Keiki . In the following year, Emperor Komai died a8i77ubnd was succeeded by his young son Meiji

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Causes of the rise of Meiji

  1. Tokugawa Shogunate were obliged by Americans to sign humiliating treaties with Europeans.
  2. Feudal lords of Satsuma and Chosu tribes began to attack the foreigners but could not get victory. It became difficult for shoguns as could neither expel them nor establish peace.
  3. Japan could not fight these foreigners and people blamed shoguns for the same.
  4. 1867 rule of Shogun ended and central powers came in the hand of Emperor MUTSHITO

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Charter Oath

The Charter Oath was issued by Emperor Meiji in order to include the Japanese public in future decisions and to suppress any fears they might have about this rapid change. 

�The Charter Oath was given in 1868 and had 5 major parts:

�1. An opinion Assembly would be formed to advise and formulate policies of the state.

2. All the countrymen should be united for progress of the country.

3.Every person would have freedom to choose his occupation according to his will.

4.All would be equal before law.

5. Knowledge might be got from any country for the progress of the country.

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Modernisation in Army

Japanese military system was based on the Samurai class , so in 1873, the army was nationalised

Universal military service was introduced .

Army was equipped with modern weapons and trained under French and German directions.

Steps were taken to built a strong navy as well.

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Modernisation in education

Compulsory education was instituted in 1872 , around 54,000 elementary schools roughly 1 to 600 individuals were opened.

Japanese quickly became literate people in Asia . University of Tokyo was founded in 1877. However women education got its attention by 1902.

Most important that the Japanese students were encouraged to travel to Europe and America .

Christian missionaries were also allowed to open schools and educational institutions in Japan.

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Modernisation in Industry

  • The end of feudalism resulted in fusion of all the classers of commoners, and government directed the energies of the feudal class into commercial and industrial undertaking.
  • It fostered the Japanese textile industry, Japanese loom was presented to the world at several international expositions.
  • Model factories , with modern machinery was established under the government.

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Modernisation in Political Life

  • Establishment of Opinion assembly.
  • New constitution
  • Modernisation in Judicial system

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Modernisation in Political Life

  • Establishment of Opinion assembly.
  • New constitution
  • Modernisation in Judicial system

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Modernisation in Political Life

  • Establishment of Opinion assembly.
  • New constitution
  • Modernisation in Judicial system

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Modernisation in Political Life

  • Establishment of Opinion assembly.
  • New constitution
  • Modernisation in Judicial system

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Modernisation in Social Life

  • Japan started to organise its society on western lines.

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Modernisation in Religious life

  • Japan became liberal
  • Many Japanese adopted Christianity.
  • Faith in the emperor and to be loyal to him became important.

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Towards the end of the topic

  • Thus Japan was modernised in all aspects

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  • Impact of this modernisation ……..
  • Russo Japanese war
  • Sino Japanese War
  • First world war
  • Second world war

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THANK YOU

See you with part 2 of this video