what were the social effects of the meiji restoration what were the social effects of the meiji restoration

It got rid of the feudal system and created the Meiji Constitution establishing a bureaucratic, centralized government. There are three factors that led to the smooth transformation of Meiji era. Effects of Tokugawa's period Meiji period was characterized by rapid change and modernization. In 1852, President Millard Fillmore sent Matthew C. Perry to negotiate with the Japanese about opening ports to American trade. 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? 645 Words. Establishment of a rapidly growing industrial sector based on the latest technology. 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). Japan's goal of achieving fukoku kyohei, "rich country; strong military", fuelled major political, economic and social changes during the Meiji Restoration. This oath was to act as a sign of treaty for change to more democratic governance. Therefore, it resolved to first settle on financial matters. An order was issued to cut off samurai-style hair. The Meijis rule or era had a lot of trade relations with the international countries. 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. It was led by young samurai who saw the need for change. The Japanese phrase sonno joi, or "praise the emperor and expel the barbaric West," was present until the anti-Western movement was quickly quashed. succeed. It was later converted into a train transportation system. This meant that Japan was controlled by the Genro a part of the Oligarchy. 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. The abolition of the feudal system and all feudal class privileges. Education, social class, and women's roles changed drastically when Japan began to modernize. To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below: If you are the original writer of this essay and no longer wish to have your work published on UKEssays.com then please: Our academic writing and marking services can help you! What were three effects of the Meiji Restoration? From 1603 to 1868 Japan was a feudal society with a hierarchy of lords, samurai, and peasants. TheShogunate government tried to ban it several times but there was strong opposition from the public bath industry because the fuel cost would double if the bathrooms for men and women were separated. Meiji period was a form of historical transition in Japan. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. This was also adopted for police and postal uniforms. Matthew Hodge has taught English and Japanese at the high school level for 15 years and college for five. The brief Boshin War, from 1868-1869, pitted shogunate-supporting samurai against a smaller group of breakaway provinces that were armed with rifles and other weapons. The collection includes accounts of daily life in Japan, material about missionary activities, and the writings of diplomats and long-term residents of Japan discussing the impact of Westerners on Japanese society, as well as the history of the foreign communities in Japan. In addition, the military adopted more westernized weapons and guarding tactics. Corrections? This revolution was a transformation from subsistence farming to commercial crops farming. This is to pose the problem of the relationship between day-to-day politics and long-term socioeconomic change. Third, Japan started building kokutai, which means national essence. 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. China had a more reluctant response which led to their defeat. The Meiji regime had a well established administration that included a prime minister. If your specific country is not listed, please select the UK version of the site, as this is best suited to international visitors. There were radical changes that took place during the Meiji transformation. Japan underwent a vast array of changes after the Meiji Restoration. The basis for education was to make the citizens learned and also to counter the rapid changes that occurred in the modern world. Most scholars, however, insisted that it was left to Japan to decide at the time of . The result for these radical steps was the rise of a very powerful Asian country from a very humble beginning. Japan began mass-producing silk, coal, and other resources. The revolutionary changes carried out by restoration leaders, who acted in the name of the emperor, faced increasing opposition by the mid-1870s. The development of industries during the Togukawa period resulted into the subsequent growth of many industries during the Meiji era. Likewise, the educators of Meiji Japan (especially early on) were largely drawn from the shizoku. The Tenpo calendar (lunisolar calendar) was used until December 2, 1872, after which the solar calendar was adopted. No plagiarism, guaranteed! This emulated the western form of governance hence a modernized government. 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. The arrival of American warships in 1853 destabilized Japan's political system and launched a transformation that made Japan into a major world power in less than 25 years. The attacks by the made the country remained complacent hence its tactics were futile. This called for a more technical force that would deal with the different forms of technology (Ebrey 550). It signed treaties with America, Russia, Canada and many countries in Europe. Therefore, it called for the former governor or leaders to step down and give way for the new leaders. The modernization resulted into Japan being rated as the most developed in the whole of Eastern Asia. A military dictator, or shogun, ruled over everyone. The constitution was presented as a gift from the emperor, and it created a two-house parliament called the Imperial Diet. This reign opened a new era for Japan as a country in its social, political and economic aspects. One of the main contributing factors to Japans modernization was the emulation of Togukawa society and the Togukawa beliefs (Craig 150). Consequently, Japan expanded the trade to even powerful countries. Although Japan also had an emperor hanging around, the emperor had little to no power. This modernization was spread to almost all economic sectors in the country. Lastly, there were those countries that acted in partnership with Japan in terms of trade. 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. https://www.britannica.com/question/What-caused-the-Meiji-Restoration. This gave the emperor more powers as he would preside over all state business proceedings in the entire area of Japan (Shimposha 289). Japan first started out as an isolated nation, but soon it would become one of the most powerful countries during WWII. First, the army became more refurbished (Tipton 400). The town area urbanized progressively during the Togukuwa era. The origin of the entrepreneurs was the Sumarais. 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. Around the same time, it was decided that formal wear for government officials must be western-style clothing. Create your account. The Japanese had no weapons to match the American firepower, so they had to agree with Perry's demand. For modernization to be effective, the government thought it was necessary to raise the peoples level of education. 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. The effect was to vault Japan into the ranks of the world's great powers. Introduction. The Meiji period lasted until 1912 and catapulted Japan into the modern era. Japan was so powerful that it ended up being transformed from a mere island nation to an imperial power by its own right and might. It ended the roughly 700-year period of "samurai . This led to a powerful military rise in the year 1905. Why is Japan called the Land of the Rising Sun? Japans first Ministry of Education was established in 1871 to develop a national system of education; it led to the promulgation of the Gakusei, or Education System Order, in 1872 and to the introduction of universal education in the country, which initially put emphasis on Western learning. This was the negative effects of social changes during Meiji Restoration. Those men were motivated by growing domestic problems and by the threat of foreign encroachment. Shintoisms were the only religions in Japan until the arrival of Buddhism in the 6th century CE. One more major purpose for the formation of new government was to search for international knowledge that would be helpful in strengthening the rule of imperialism. 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. There were many forms of transitions that took place (Craig 150). However, this triggered a movement to abolish Buddhism, which led to the destruction of temples and Buddhist objects. There was no military in Japan during the Edo Period. An isolated, feudalistic island state in 1850, Japan had become a powerful colonial power with the most modern of institutions when Meiji's son, the Taisho emperor, took the throne in 1912. 205 lessons. In order not to be misunderstood about the new Japan, the new Meiji government, which was aiming at westernization, called Japans indigenous customs and beliefs evil and old customs and adopted policies to enlighten the peoples lost mongrel In accordance with the policy of the new government, local governments took the initiative to eliminate traditional lifestyle culture and folk customs, and many folk customs have been reduced or discontinued due to the effects of the policy of civilization. The development resulted into Japan becoming a powerful industrial country. We'll look closely at the causes, the major accomplishments, and the effects of the Meiji Restoration. Mixed bathing at public baths was surprising in the eyes of Westerners, and the Meiji government attempted to ban it in the early Meiji Era. Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. It gave the government further motivation to become an imperial power in Asia, ultimately setting the gears in motion for Japan's actions in World War II. That was followed, after the end of the fighting, by the dismantling of the old feudal regime. 2. The emperor was reinstated as sovereign, and he took the name Meiji. This reduces the incentive to improve one's land (investment), the very thing which creates growth and . During this time the city Edo was named Tokyo and the capital city was transferred to Tokyo. This group was highly equipped in terms of security. The feudal system was decaying, and factions were growing. 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. This was like an assurance to the Meijis era because by the time the transition was taking there would be great achievements. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 On the other hand, restoration would mean that these things existed before which is not the case for the Meijis era. One answer is found in the Meiji Restoration itself. First, the idea of sonno joi, or "revere the emperor and expel the foreigners," took hold with those that were against the decaying power of the shogunate. He graduated with a Masters in English from Mississippi College and has a JLPT N1 pass. It was presented as a gift from the emperor to the people, and it could be amended only upon imperial initiative. The labor force in Japan was mainly unskilled and did not recognize the new technologies. The West was then forced to acknowledge the former little island of Asia as a comparative power. 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. Bunmei Kaika is a term used to describe a social change and phenomenon that occurred in the process of Japans modernization during Meiji Restoration. Age of Marriage in Japan -Legal and average ages. Besides, these aims were greatly achieved by carrying out reforms. This put an end to the policy of banning Christianity, which had been in place since the early Edo period. Although there were emperors of Japan before the Meiji . Some even thought that telegrams were delivered through the power lines in the form of letters; thus, they waited at the nearby transmission tower all day for telegrams to arrive, bringing their lunch, laying out a mat, and sitting there. They thought that without modernizing Japan, the country would be colonized. Meiji is the name of a period in time in the Japanese history that started in 1868 with the Meiji Restoration and lasted until 1912. Also, national holidays were created, such as "National Foundation Day," which celebrated the foundation of Japan as well as the idea of all Japanese people as a member of the Japanese nation-state. 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. Others mistakenly thought they could deliver parcels to distant places by telegraph and therefore hung parcels on the tower. These major transitions created a more clear foundation for exercising democracy in the Japanese government. The Meiji governance was one organized group that had one main common goal of revolution. They were able to create a centralized and bureaucratic government that created the Meiji Constitution in 1889. In 1885 a cabinet system was formed, and in 1886 work on the constitution began. Draw students' attention to clothing, architecture, utilities, transportation, and other details. This acted as prerequisite for the excellent learning methods that were employed during the Meijis period. However, the Western countries were still unwilling to accept Japan as a great power. Abolishing the immobile class system. However, the Meiji Restoration was a total reinvention of Japan. This overlapped into the Meijis era hence forming the big banking facilities that were seen during the Meijis era. Both the sources of these changes and the way in which they made Japan "modern" provide the material for one of human history's more dramatic stories. Western-style architecture Brick architecture. 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. The whole of Japan became interested in Western culture and began actively adopting it. The Meiji Restoration was a major revolution that brought an end to over 260 years of feudal government. An error occurred trying to load this video. Following world war two, the emperors in Japan resolved to form a new rule that was democratic in stature. They wanted to unite the country under a new, centralized government in order to strengthen their army to defend against foreign influence. These beliefs catapulted the Meiji regime into a more organized and democratic governance. In the event to counteract the issue, there arose a very powerful regime that resulted into a more of enlightened governance. This aspect was going to be very crucial but the leaders were dedicated to bring change in Japan. It's easy to assume that nation-states have always existed, but they didn't really until the 19th century. Decent Essays. These were the Russo-Japanese war and Sino-Japanese war. This focus encouraged Japan to build a modern nation-state that could stand toe-to-toe with the Western powers. This focus led to Japan having one of the most highly educated populations in the world. In which country does the sun rise first? The feudal system was swept away, along with its strict class system. The emperor was mostly involved in governance issues such as administration and organization of the cabinet. Japan had a transition that was nicknamed the enlightened era hence it was very prudent that members of the state act in a more intelligent way to allow modernization. . Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Tokugawa Shogunate History & Significance | What was the Tokugawa Shogunate? The enacting of a constitution and formalization of a parliamentary system of government. This change included major transition in the military, foreign relations, economy, social structure and internal politics. After this, the Japanese quickly sent "observers" to the West to understand its culture while copying much of the technology they had missed over the previous centuries: the steamboat, the railroad, guns, and artillery. Japanese Imperialism: Territorial Acquisitions & Wars, The Westernization of Japan During the Meiji Era. The modernization resulted into Japan being rated as the most developed in the whole of Eastern Asia. 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. It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Meiji Restoration completely transformed Japan by modernizing the country. There were three main causes of the Meiji Restoration: First, internal problems in Japan made ruling the country too difficult. Peasants, distrustful of the new regime and dissatisfied with its agrarian policies, also took part in revolts that reached their peak in the 1880s. How Did the Meiji Restoration Change Japan? 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. Horse-drawn carriage (street car) Railroad cars pulled by horses traveled over the railroad tracks. Led by Saigo Takamori, Kido Takayoshi, and other great leaders, the Satsuma-Choshu Alliance saw light. However, the Meiji government believed that having a strong military was essential to be a nation like the U.S. or European countries. The growth in trade consequently led to the creation of modern communication lines and railway line. 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. [Formulate historical questions] Grades 5-12: Analyze the goals and policies of the Meiji state and their impact on Japan's modernization. Steamship Japans leading shipping company today, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, wasfounded in 1885. We're here to answer any questions you have about our services. The Meiji period that followed the Restoration was an era of major political, economic, and social change in Japan. 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. The Imperial Hotel, currently one of the most prestigious hotels in downtown Tokyo, was opened in 1887. Japan was beaten by Russia in the Russo-Japanese War. This political revolution "restored" the emperor to power, but he did not rule directly. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Boxer Rebellion in China | Causes, Summary & Significance, Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan | History, Culture & Unification. Then, in 1904, Japan shocked the world by humiliating Russia in the Russo-Japanese War. Therefore, the expansion of towns provided a good basis for innovation. 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. Scientific Revolution Lesson Plans & Resources, Revolutions in Latin America Lesson Plans, Oliver Cromwell, Hero or Villain? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Finally, in 1889, the Meiji Constitution was officially promulgated. "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." This biasness was cut off by the Meijis rule. The Japanese emperors in that time knew well that for them to make it through the wars that were foreseen, they were to be well armed as the imperial superpowers. For the prime minister, the proud story of the. The latter concern had its origins in the efforts by Western powers to open Japan, beginning in the 1850s after more than two centuries of near isolation, and the fear that Japan could be subjected to the same imperialist pressures that they observed happening in nearby China. This was very tactful as it was significant for a new revolution. 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. By the 20th century, Japan had a modern constitution and national parliament, though it was not truly democratic. Examples of these companies are Toshiba, Noritake, Yamaha, Nippon Express, Hitachi, Shiseido and Nintendo. The second major slogan was Fukoku Kohei, or enrich the country, strengthen the army. All rights reserved. Railroad In 1872, the railroad between Shimbashi and Yokohama was opened and steam locomotives began to operate. Many merchants gained financial knowledge that would be used during Meijis period. This Meiji restoration has given a lot of positive effects to the Meiji nationalism. Japan quickly instituted universal education, created a Western-style army and navy, and fell madly in love with something the American sailors were seen playing - baseball. Moreover, Japan started to import raw materials which were manufactured into finished products and then were sold to other countries. 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 .