One answer is found in the Meiji Restoration itself. Great collaboration with the government and passion for development were the main contributors of the improved economy (Tipton 456). While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Meiji period was a form of historical transition in Japan. . By the 20th century, Japan had a modern constitution and national parliament, though it was not truly democratic. Effects Of The Meiji Restoration Essay Example - PHDessay.com Answer (1 of 2): 1. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Therefore, it resolved to first settle on financial matters. It signed treaties with America, Russia, Canada and many countries in Europe. What were some effects of the Meiji Restoration? MeijiRestoration was a significant Japanese event that happened in 1868bringing with it political economic and social change to the peopleof Japan (Jansen 781). 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. For modernization to be effective, the government thought it was necessary to raise the peoples level of education. The Meiji Restoration also saw a dramatic increase in Westernisation, as Japan rapidly industrialised and adopted many Western technologies and ideas. During this period, Japans first factory, the Tomioka Silk Mill, was built. https://www.britannica.com/event/Meiji-Restoration, Asia for Educators - The Meiji Restoration and Modernization, The abolition of the feudal system and all feudal class privileges, The construction of transport and communication systems. The Meiji Restoration In addition, advancement in technology impacted the following areas; the military, political system and lastly the social aspect. Registered office: Creative Tower, Fujairah, PO Box 4422, UAE. Meiji Restoration Dbq Essay - 430 Words | Bartleby These aspects were key elements in the characterization of a developed nation. To provide some clarity as to how the Meiji Era occurred, one must know two things: one, the term Meiji is named after the Meiji Emperor, who lived from 1852 to 1912 C.E., and reigned over the modernization of Japan; and two, Japan had existed for hundreds of years in relative peace with little contact from the outside world thanks to the Tokugawa Shogunate, or the military leadership that had been in charge of Japan since the early 1600s. The result for these radical steps was the rise of a very powerful Asian country from a very humble beginning. This focus encouraged Japan to build a modern nation-state that could stand toe-to-toe with the Western powers. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. As the Japanese modernized and formed a national identity, the ideas of Bunmei Kaika (civilization and enlightenment) and Fukoku Kohei (enrich the country and protect the military) combined with the newly created Meiji Constitution to shape Japan into a strong, militaristic country. The abolition of the feudal system and all feudal class privileges. You know, like old cars polished and souped-up to look like new again. (The school attendance rate in England at that time was 20% and the literacy rate was 10%). Knowledge was to be sought in the West, the goodwill of which was essential for revising the unequal treaties that had been enacted and granted foreign countries judicial and economic privileges in Japan through extraterritoriality. They comprised part of the military, teaching staff, makers of guns and government officials. This eventually led to their expansion. Consequently, Japan expanded the trade to even powerful countries. So it is significant to go over the Five Articles of the Charter Oath, to analyse the aims of the Meiji Modernization from the articles, and to discuss how these aims were achieved in the reforms. The Meijis restoration brought about a fundamental aspect of the society which was industrial growth. This aspect was going to be very crucial but the leaders were dedicated to bring change in Japan. Their goal first included the formation of deliberative assemblies; secondly was reviewing the customs and replacing the old and evil customs with new ways. It occurred during a three-year period from 1866 to 1869 that traversed the end of the Edo period (often called Late Tokugawa shogunate) and beginning of the Meiji Era. Japan watched China get pummeled and humiliated by the British for trying to prevent the Brits from selling opium. One of the main contributing factors to Japans modernization was the emulation of Togukawa society and the Togukawa beliefs (Craig 150). This group was highly equipped in terms of security. The Chinese branded themselves with the notion of self superiority. Tomioka Silk Mill (started operation in 1872) To promote modernization, the Meiji government also focused on the construction of Western-style factories. Grades 5-12: Analyze the internal and external causes of the Meiji Restoration. This sounds like an urban legend, but these stories were recorded. At first, many supporters of the emperor were also very critical of Western influence. The administrative reorganization had been largely accomplished by 1871, when the domains were officially abolished and replaced by a prefecture system that has remained in place to the present day. 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. Modernization of the education system was one of the main goals of the new Meiji government. However, the Meiji government believed that having a strong military was essential to be a nation like the U.S. or European countries. The Meiji Restoration turned a feudalistic Japan into an educated, technological, and expansionistic nation that was intent on conquering Asia. In July 1853, Perry sailed his steamer, the Mississippi, and as it chugged past Japanese boats in Yokohama Harbor, fired blank charges from her superior cannons, and then presented the Japanese Shogunate with a white flag with which to surrender. The Meiji Era that followed the Meiji Restoration in 1868 marked the formation of a new gender structure in Japan. Erin has taught English and History. The change occurred in their dressing style which became more western in style. Therefore, Meijis era was a revolution rather than a restoration. The Meiji Restoration was a major revolution that brought an end to over 260 years of feudal government. The Meiji Restoration had far-reaching effects on Japanese society. The first action, taken in 1868 while the country was still unsettled, was to relocate the imperial capital from Kyto to the shogunal capital of Edo, which was renamed Tokyo (Eastern Capital). Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. Meiji Restoration Effects - 759 Words | Internet Public Library Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. The emperor was mostly involved in governance issues such as administration and organization of the cabinet. View history. 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.. Finally, the Japanese began to democratize its people, leading to a nationalistic fervor that combined them into a people and not simply servants of their daimyo. The grouped countries were Netherlands and China. Read about the Meiji Restoration and its effects. What changes did the Meiji restoration bring about in japan? Japans fame could also be compared to how both China and Japan responded to external invasions. Examples of these companies are Toshiba, Noritake, Yamaha, Nippon Express, Hitachi, Shiseido and Nintendo. The Meiji Restoration and Modernization | Asia for Educators | Columbia These were finally sold to international markets and enhanced trade across borders. It was of much respect to have educated friends during the Togukawas period hence this education extended into Meijis era. Parallel to this was the Land Tax Reform, or chisokaisei, which removed the feudal regions owned by the regional lords and placed them back in the hands of the people. 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. The Emperor of Meiji and other high-ranking government officials also had their hair cut short. Meiji period was characterized by rapid change and modernization. Education was a sure foundation for development as it had been changing from time to time. Meiji Restoration, in Japanese history, the political revolution in 1868 that brought about the final demise of the Tokugawa shogunate (military government)thus ending the Edo (Tokugawa) period (16031867)and, at least nominally, returned control of the country to direct imperial rule under Mutsuhito (the emperor Meiji). The second major slogan was Fukoku Kohei, or enrich the country, strengthen the army. The idea of nationalism and the nation-state was growing. to modernize. Factors That Affected Meiji Restoration - UKEssays.com Zangiri-atama is a hairstyle in which the chonmage (topknot) is cut off and kept short. Although the actual events of 1868 constituted little more than a shift of power within the old ruling class, the larger process referred to as the Meiji Restoration brought an end to the ascendancy of the warrior class and replaced the decentralized structure of early modern feudalism with a central state under the . It was not going to be pushed around. They added coffee to milk as if it were a spice. The daimyo rule was later abolished by 1871. Matthew Hodge has taught English and Japanese at the high school level for 15 years and college for five. We're here to answer any questions you have about our services. The atrocities that were committed against the Chinese people in Nanjing, and the deaths of so many people, were not the product of a cold, calculated plan. More narrowly, was the character of Meiji institutions determined by the social composition of the anti-Tokugawa movement, or did it derive from a situation that took shape only after the Bakufu was overthrown? The Meiji Restoration was a coup dtat that resulted in the dissolution of Japans feudal system of government and the restoration of the imperial system. Japan's Meiji Restoration of 1868 had many effects on Japan and the world from 1840 to 1920. Finally, Japan allied with Britain against Russia, culminating in Japan's attack at Port Arthur and the destruction of an overconfident Russian fleet coming to save the city in the Battle of Tsushima. In 1882, the first horse-drawn carriage railroad opened in Tokyo. The entrepreneurs in Japan became more enlightened and powerful. Japan thought that they had been left behind in terms of modernization. A strong national army and navy became a main priority. This is to pose the problem of the relationship between day-to-day politics and long-term socioeconomic change. The Tokugawa warlord system progressively transformed samurai into what a historian calls "civil servants." The Meiji period saw incredible social transformation. Thanks to these changes, the streets became brighter at night and people could stay active until late. Many learning institutions were built that mostly related to business management studies. Third, Japan started building kokutai, which means national essence. Industrialization in Japan: Origins, Characteristics & Impact This was in terms of business knowledge advancements. PDF Lesson Meiji japan - Stanford University 430 Words; 2 Pages; Open Document. What were some political effects of the Meiji Restoration? Under the emperor as a symbol of ancient Japanese authority, the people came together, and they began to think of Japan as a great and powerful nation that would be the most powerful country in Asia. Why is the Meiji Restoration important? One of these major effects of the event was the fact that the previously feudal country was transformed into an empire that was entirely capable of competing with many of the greatest powers of the time. This involved the people and the physical objects. They believed that the West depended on constitutionalism for national unity, on industrialization for material strength, and on a well-trained military for national security. Meiji continued with reforms, cutting the samurai off from their exalted status by conscripting every male in Japan to the military for four years at age 21 in 1873. Major contributors to economic development were road construction networks that led to developments of central business district. Chinese military group were not prepared to the great modernization that had taken placed. Meiji Restoration - Wikipedia Japan replaced its feudalistic government, led by the Tokugawa Shogunate, with representative government; they copied Western ideas, including those of the nation-state and technology, with amazing successes and unified into a cohesive, educated, and aggressively expanding country. Western ships were interacting with China and thus were frequently asking for port supplies from Japanese ports, culminating in the Nagasaki incident of 1808, in which a British ship took local Dutch sailors captive in exchange for supplies. Japan's goal of achieving fukoku kyohei, "rich country; strong military", fuelled major political, economic and social changes during the Meiji Restoration. Railroad In 1872, the railroad between Shimbashi and Yokohama was opened and steam locomotives began to operate. Then, in 1853, United States commodore Matthew Perry sailed into Tokyo Bay with four war ships and massive guns. Additionally, the feudal system increasingly weakened, England and other western countries were engaging with China, which also affected Japan, and many in Japan were tired of the class system. Updates? The modernization resulted into Japan being rated as the most developed in the whole of Eastern Asia. Another reform was in the area of education. The result of these changes was a drafted constitution in 1989 that transformed Japan to be turned into a constitutional monarchy. Therefore, Japan overstepped many countries in East Asia to top the ranks of the most powerful countries. The Meiji Restoration transformed Japan into something new: a modern nation-state. Rickshaw The jinrikisha is a vehicleinvented in Japan, based on the Western horse-drawn carriage. Daimyo (, daimy, Japanese pronunciation: ()) were powerful Japanese magnates, feudal lords who, from the 10th century to the early Meiji period in the middle 19th century, ruled most of Japan from their vast, hereditary land holdings. Western-style architecture Brick architecture. Meiji Development: Modernization of Education - Sites@Rutgers The Japanese had no weapons to match the American firepower, so they had to agree with Perry's demand. The government enforced local ordinances in various regions but it was not until the end of the Meiji Era, which was nearly 40 years later, that mixed bathing was diminished. In addition, the new government carried out policies to unify the monetary and tax systems, with the agricultural tax reform of 1873 providing its primary source of revenue. From simple essay plans, through to full dissertations, you can guarantee we have a service perfectly matched to your needs. Postal system The postal system was started in 1871, running between Tokyo and Osaka. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. In 1885 a cabinet system was formed, and in 1886 work on the constitution began. They employed a sense of honor in their duties hence accomplished their work with diligence. Social Changes During The Meiji Restoration Of Japan | Bartleby 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. Causes And Effects Of Japan's Meiji Restoration Of 1868 Japan and its people did not like this feeling of helplessness. When the Meiji era began, many changes occurred which affected Japan's social structure and foreign relationships. Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. In a wider context, however, the Meiji Restoration of 1868 came to be identified with the subsequent era of major political, economic, and social changethe Meiji period (18681912)that brought about the modernization and Westernization of the country. Document #6: Overall Effects Based on the quotes and your new knowledge, what were the overall effects of the Meiji Restoration on Japan? Bunmei Kaika is a term used to describe a social change and phenomenon that occurred in the process of Japans modernization during Meiji Restoration. According to document 1, Japan was isolated from 1635-1853.1853 to 1854.This was . These businesses provided a lot of income that was used in purchasing most intensives used for development. It's easy to assume that nation-states have always existed, but they didn't really until the 19th century. Japan before the Meiji restoration In 1839 and 1856 Asian nations were shocked by Britain's crushing victories over China in the two Opium Wars. The kind of education the Japanese acquired enabled them to manufacture powerful weapons that were used for the territory security. Japan then expanded its operations into the First Sino-Japanese War, invading Korea and neighboring Chinese areas in the 1890s, which quickly developed into their invasion of Manchuria, where it would remain a Japanese possession for 50 years. They were able to create a centralized and bureaucratic government that created the Meiji Constitution in 1889. Economic Effects of Meiji Restoration. Japan began mass-producing silk, coal, and other resources. This therefore contributed greatly to Japans revolution which was a transition from the feudal government. Western-style clothing The first Japanese to wear clothes were the imperial family and the military personnel. No plagiarism, guaranteed! 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 . 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 Meiji regime had a well established administration that included a prime minister. To add to these, there was education for both boys and girls in the society. This was very tactful as it was significant for a new revolution. His downfall led to so many positive dramatic changes. The Meiji era (, Meiji jidai, Japanese pronunciation: [me(d)i]) is an era of Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868 to July 30, 1912. These beliefs catapulted the Meiji regime into a more organized and democratic governance. It was later converted into a train transportation system. The Japanese phrase sonno joi, or "praise the emperor and expel the barbaric West," was present until the anti-Western movement was quickly quashed. The industrial sector was also transformed to modern manufacturing industry like those that only appeared in the West. 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). This reduces the incentive to improve one's land (investment), the very thing which creates growth and . The Origin of Japan's Modernization: - Government of Japan Lastly, there were those countries that acted in partnership with Japan in terms of trade. 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Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel The reforms enacted during the Meiji emperor 's rule brought about the modernization and Westernization of the country and paved the way for Japan to become a major international power. 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 feudal system was decaying, and factions were growing. What caused the Meiji Restoration? | Britannica He graduated with a Masters in English from Mississippi College and has a JLPT N1 pass. They wanted to wipe out the color ofBuddhism from Shinto shrines by prohibiting the practice of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism and making Shinto shrines places that connected the emperor and the people. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Telegraph When the telegram system first started, many people didnt understand what it was. 160 -61Google Scholar, 'It has long been recognized that the Meiji Restoration was influenced and motivated by foreign relations beginning with the Opening of Japan. 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. Most scholars, however, insisted that it was left to Japan to decide at the time of . I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Peasants, distrustful of the new regime and dissatisfied with its agrarian policies, also took part in revolts that reached their peak in the 1880s. Education brought a smooth transition to the growth and transition into the Meijis period. Why did the Meiji reformers want to modernize Japan? How Did the Meiji Restoration Change Japan? The Japanese mainly relied on imported ideals during restoration in order emulate Western nations who, in the Japanese eyes were advanced and powerful. The system spread nationwide in 1872. This reign opened a new era for Japan as a country in its social, political and economic aspects. Although there were emperors of Japan before the Meiji . This therefore meant that the Japanese had the most powerful transformation which occurred within a single generation. This biasness was cut off by the Meijis rule. Largely the handiwork of thegenro(elder statesman)It Hirobumi, the constitution established a bicameral parliament, called the Dietin full Imperial Diet (Teikoku Gikai)that was to be elected through a limited voting franchise. These included the Simutomo, Mitsui and Konoike family lines. First, they had to expand the boarders to allow other traders to interchange their goods with them. Japan utilized the weapons in war times that enabled them to secure their territory. Universal education and industrialization helped build an educated populace with better transportation and communication technology. From then on Shinto faiths and traditions took on Buddhist elements, and later, Confucian ones . During early industrialisation, women were worked in factories under poor conditions. What are social effects of the meiji restoration? This revolution was a transformation from subsistence farming to commercial crops farming. Japan created an efficient rail system, improved communications technology, and started mechanizing industry. Japan underwent a vast array of changes after the Meiji Restoration. *You can also browse our support articles here >. All along, the Meiji Restoration used a combination of Japanese tradition and new Western ideas to transform the country. This strong nature led to the rule and discrimination of traditional monarchies that surrendered at the end. They were collectively known as Tsusho-no-kuni. That was followed, after the end of the fighting, by the dismantling of the old feudal regime. This meant that Japan was controlled by the Genro a part of the Oligarchy. The most affected government sectors were the social, political, economic oriented institutions. Then, in 1904, Japan shocked the world by humiliating Russia in the Russo-Japanese War. These also had a collective name which was Tsushin-no-kuni. The major challenges that affected the Meijis rule were born by the negative effects of the Shogunate. Meiji Restoration - Life for Japanese Women They wanted to unite the country under a new, centralized government in order to strengthen their army to defend against foreign influence. Also, the Meiji Emperor's father, the west-suspicious Komei, had died in 1867, leading to his more liberal son Meiji taking the throne. Establishment of a rapidly growing industrial sector based on the latest technology. In addition, the Japanese went to an extent of winning a war against Russia a super powerful country. The foresight by the Japanese to embrace modernizing was a great stepping stone into their winning strategies. The Causes And Effects Of The Meiji Restoration In Japan 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. The new governance was formed after the abolition of feudalism. Yoshinobu mounted a brief civil war that ended with his surrender to imperial forces in June 1869. succeed. 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. What were the effects of the meiji restoration in japan - Wiki The Meiji Emperor represented a mixture of West and East. [Obtain historical data] Grades 7-12: Assess the impact of Western ideas and the role of