The Effects of the Meiji Restorations

766 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Japanese society and culture

Because of the Meiji Restoration the Japanese society gained economic, military and political change and lost the chance to gain Religious and social equality. I chose this topic because the Japanese transformation from a backwards country into a modern day economic and military world power interested me because it was all done in 40 years. The Meiji restoration forced western civilizations to respect the new modern Japan.
Why the need for change, the Japanese people must have wondered? As the first delegation from Japan who wore the traditional Shogun Samurai dress and shaved pate and long hair tied in a bun and carrying swords unlike their counterparts who wore suits or military uniforms. The west observance of the Japanese must have viewed them as uneducated barbarians. Because of the impression Japan gave the western civilizations it was dealt with little to no respect. The west would show its disrespect in the treaties and trade agreements that favored the western nations. Western assumptions that they had cultural superiority and that the Japanese were not even quasi equal. This made the need for change from centuries of ancient cultures to be seen as more civilized by the west. The Japanese judged that they would not be treated as equals until they not only possessed not only modern technology, education, manufacturing and legal system, but all the superficial aspects of the Western culture. At first the Japanese attempted to change all aspects of their culture by hiring western experts called “Yatoi” the live machine page 308. These teachers were to assist the re-tooling of the military, industry and the education system to turn out good recruits for the military, factory and farm.
So how would the Japanese G...

... middle of paper ...

...hristianity could have been one adoption that would had made a very favorable gain to the west. However like women’s rights it had some impact with the Japanese intellectuals but prejudices for it ran deep. By the end of the movement only a quarter of one percent of the population went for Christianity instead the traditional Shinto Religion thrived in the culture.
The Meiji Restoration gave the Japanese society gains in economic, military and political change however lost the chance to gain Religious and social equality that other countries already enjoyed. The Restoration put Japan on a path that would lead then to have one of the top militaries, economies and education systems in the world. It would surprise the west by the time the second world war how improved the nation was. The gains experienced by the people of Japan, would soon outweigh what was lost.

Show More
Related

  • European Imperialism of China and Japan

    402 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the early 1800’s, Japan had blocked off all trade from other countries. Foreign whaling ships could not even reload or repair their ships in Japan territory. This offended many other countries. In 1852, Matthew Perry was sent to Japan to negotiate open trade. Japan felt threatened by the United States, and gave in to their demands. Japan was frightened by their stipulations, and immediately began to reform. They developed a new education system that was similar to America and Europe’s. They also developed a Western style judiciary system.

    Read More

  • Pearl Harbor Dbq Essay

    626 Words  | 2 Pages

    "(Doc. A) The beliefs Japanese grew up with were that the Emperor was sublime and his empire should be followed everywhere nerveless by everyone. They were trained to be dedicated; willing to do anything to please their superior. “An old order... (European and American)... is now crumbling.

    Read More

  • Industrialization Expansion in Russia and Japan

    1051 Words  | 3 Pages

    Japanese revolts ensue with the opening of Japan to the Western World. The middle and lower classes wanted Japan to be open while the conservative daimyo did not. Both of these groups looked to the emperor for a decision. The shogunate, reliant on the isolation, collapsed under pressures caused by outsid...

    Read More

  • In The Mexican Revolution, The Meiji Restoration, And The Risorgimento

    1019 Words  | 3 Pages

    The goals of the Meiji Restoration included dismantling of the old feudal regime and the creation of a nation-state capable of standing equal among Western powers, including the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the Unites States. The leaders of the Meiji Restoration were mostly young samurai motivated by increasing domestic problems and threats of foreign intrusion. Saigō Takamori was also an influential leader in the Meiji Restoration. He was responsible for leading several rebellions against the government in companionship with samurai warriors and peasants who distrusted the new regime. The citizens of Japan were also, arguably, influential leaders of the Meiji restoration. Under their pressure to insist on the creation of a constitutional government, the government formed a Cabinet system in 1885 and in 1886 began developing the Constitution, which would be presented as a gift from the emperor to the people in 1889 and established a bicameral parliament. Revolutionary tactics from the Meiji Restoration included the development of transportation and communication. Railroads were built, telegraphs connecting major cities, and the institution of a European-style banking system developed. We can clearly recognize differences between the revolutionary tactics of the Meiji Restoration to those in the Mexican Revolution and those in the

    Read More

  • Japanese and German Imperialism in the Late 19th Century

    1212 Words  | 3 Pages

    Initially Japan’s objective for industrializing was to avoid being overtaken by Western superpowers, however during the process of industrializing the Japanese government realized that industrialization is key in order to remain a dominant force in the market during this new contemporary era. Thus the Japanese began to promote industrialization in order for national prestige, power, and wealth just as Germany did. In the end both countries were successful from modernizing and industrializing. Thus promoting the increase of power and wealth for members of the higher classes. While having generally negative effects on the members of lower classes.

    Read More

  • Modernization In Japan

    804 Words  | 2 Pages

    To fortify their nations, Japan and the Ottoman Empire underwent modernization and reformations between 1850 and 1914. At the start of the reforms both regions efforts at modernization were defensive, and both regions adopted Western elements into their society. Nonetheless, Japan worked to become a more industrialized nation, dissimilar to the Ottoman Empire, which was unable to create an industrial economy or strong state. Differences are also apparent during this modernization where women in the Ottoman Empire experienced greater opportunities than women in Japan who were suppressed in both public and political life. The efforts made in modernizing and creating reforms during the nineteenth century were defensive in both regions.

    Read More

  • Westernization in China and Japan

    1311 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the middle of the 19th century, despite a few similarities between the initial responses of China and Japan to the West, they later diverged; which ultimately affected and influenced the modernizing development of both countries. At first, both of the Asian nations rejected the ideas which the West had brought upon them, and therefore went through a time period of self-imposed isolation. However, the demands that were soon set by Western imperialism forced them, though in different ways, to reconsider. And, by the end of the 19th century both China and Japan had introduced ‘westernizing’ reforms. China’s aim was to use modern means to retain and preserve their traditional Confucian culture. Whereas Japan, on the other hand, began to successfully mimic Western technology as it pursued modernization, and thus underwent an astounding social upheaval. Hence, by the year 1920, Japan was recognized as one of the world’s superpowers, whereas China was on the edge of anarchy.

    Read More

  • Western Influence on Japan

    1060 Words  | 3 Pages

    as well.8 The Meiji period was an important part of Japan's changing western ways. After World War II, Japan changed forever. With the Atomic bomb physically destroying their cities, and their defeat destroying their. imperialistic mentality, Japan was deeply wounded. Japan lost the respect of the world during the war and few people felt sorry for them....

    Read More

  • Military Power of Japan Empire

    622 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Meiji restoration was a revolution within Japans political and social system in 1866 to 1869. This over through the power of the Tokugawa shogun returning political power back to the emperor rather than having the shogun control Japan. Before this period of the Meiji restoration, most or all of the political power laid in the Tokugawa clan and in particular the leader of the clan the Shogun. During the Meiji restoration period the emperor moved from the old capital of Kyoto to what is now known as modern day Tokyo, which soon became the new capitol. Although the imperial power returned to the emperor political power was transferred to a group of nobles and some former samurai. Around this period of time Japan (like nearly all Asian countries) was forced to sign treaties with powerful western countries like America. Theses treaties were very unfair to the Japanese giving the western world certain political and economical advantages. It was in Japans interest at the time to get on an equal playing field with westernised countries so it took drastic reforms in its military and economic status in order to get on an equal playing field. Japan decided it would become a democratic state giving equality to all people. By 1870 the Daimyo (feudal lords) had to return all of their land to the emperor and a new education system was introduced as well as compulsory education. The improvement of Japans military was a major ...

    Read More

  • 1450-1750 Eastern Asian Relations With Europe

    787 Words  | 2 Pages

    Japan, at first, let the newcomers in and learned about them, and let them learn a little from them. However, they didn't have very good experiences, like as portrayed in document twelve, the Japanese thought of the Europeans as arrogant and full of themselves, and the Europeans, like Will Adams in document fourteen, didn't like what the Japanese did, in holding them there when they wanted to leave, and the way they treated the women as completely there just to serve and help the men, as was mentioned in document eleven. The Japanese, as in document fifteen, said that innovations had to be reported, and listed them right next to factional conspiracies, as if they were both equally bad, showing that the Japanese didn't want to advance technologically, and wanted to stick with tradition. The Europeans as we already know, where rapidly advancing technologically, because of their fierce rivals with each other, making Japan dislike them even more. The Europeans, who were trying to spread Christianity as well as become rich, thought that the Japanese would convert quickly, as Francis Xavier wrote in document thirteen, “They see clearly that their ancestral law is false and the law of God true, but they are deterred by fear of their prince from submitting to the...

    Read More

  • Evaluate The Economic Causes Of The Tokugawa Shogunate

    279 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Tokugawa Shogunate, although a very strong government, gave way in 1868 because of slow economic decline. The economy suffered in many ways, starting with a population growth that strained resources. The Shogun, as Confucians, wanted Japan to be an agriculturally based civilization but that fell to pieces as more and more peasants moved to cities to become artisans or merchants. These merchants would then manipulate the price of rice in order to make the largest profit. Samurai had to convert rice into cash, but it became harder for them to do so when the shogun could not stabilize rice prices. Merchants soon grew richer than daimyo and samurai who still held the higher social status. The Shogunate made laws that stopped all travel in and

    Read More

  • Tokugawa Ieyasu: One Of The Most Powerful People In Japan

    348 Words  | 1 Pages

    When the period of the Tokugawa Shogunate began, it revolutionised the world as everybody would know it. Of course, that fact wasn’t known at the time. The period lasted for more tan 250 years. It was a time of more-or-less peace, stability and prosperity for Japan. There was no fear for warfare, townspeople could do more business, and artists can do what they do.

    Read More

  • The Rise, Embracing, and Effects of Modernization in Japan

    1325 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ty for one that better suited its capitalistic tendency. That opportunity came in1868 when the Meiji imperial rule was able to overthrow the Tokugawa regime, setting off a political, economic, social and cultural change that transformed Japan. As Japan embraced modernity with full force, some began to realize the negative impact of modernization on the rural life, social structure and most importantly on its culture, blaming it on the western influence on its modernization. Thus as Japan neared World War II, it embraced a new sense of modernization, one that was separate from westernization, creating a nationalistic and fascist government policy. Japanese society is characteristic of plurality and opposing value systems coexisting. As new ideals and institutions arise, Japan sees itself transforming and changing at the hands of internal and external forces.

    Read More

  • The Manchurian Crisis

    960 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...high power status, Japan had to have a self-reliant industrial common ground and be able to move all human and material resources (S,195). Through the Shogun Revolution of 1868, the abolition of Feudalism in 1871, the activation of the national army in 1873, and the assembly of parliament in 1889, the political system of Japan became westernized (Q,3). Local Labor and commercial assistance from the United States and Europe allowed Japan’s industry to bloom into a developed, modern, industrial nation (Q,3). As a consequence production surplus, and food shortage followed (Q,3). Because of how much it relied on aid of western powers, Japan’s strategic position became especially weak. In an attempt to break off slightly from the aid of the west Japanese leaders believed that it would be essential for Japan to expand beyond its borders to obtain necessary raw materials.

    Read More

  • japanese occupation

    620 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fifty years after the end of the second World War, it is easy to look back on the American occupation of Japan and see it as a mild nudge to the left rather than a new beginning for the country. We still see an emperor, even if only as a symbol. Industry, when it was rebuilt, was under much of the same leadership as before the war. Many elements of the traditional lifestyle remained–with less government support and in competition with new variants. The Japanese people remained connected to a culture which was half western and half Japanese. Nevertheless, it is irrefutable that the surrender in 1945 had a major impact on the lives of the Japanese. Political parties, elected by the populous, became a great deal more influential in the government. This changed the dynamics of Japanese industry, even if the zaibatsu were sill the foundation of the economy. Financial success took on a new character; the production of high tech goods for sale to the world’s most developed countries was now a better source of income. The affluence of the upper class was more evenly distributed. On a broader scale, for the first time, America had more influence than European powers. The prevention of the formation of a military put the focus of the government on trade, the United Nations, and the cold war rather than an empire in Asia. Simultaneously, social attitudes and lifestyle were more independent of the government and consumer led.

    Read More

More about The Effects of the Meiji Restorations

Open Document