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III. RISE OF MODERN JAPAN A. Japan Responds to Foreign Pressure

III. RISE OF MODERN JAPAN A. Japan Responds to Foreign Pressure By end of 19 th century Japan emerging as modern imperialist power. Followed western nations while trying to preserve Japanese values 1. An End to Isolation

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III. RISE OF MODERN JAPAN A. Japan Responds to Foreign Pressure

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  1. III. RISE OF MODERN JAPAN • A. Japan Responds to Foreign Pressure • By end of 19th century Japan emerging as modern imperialist power. Followed western nations while trying to preserve Japanese values • 1. An End to Isolation • Japan had been isolated for 200 years and westerners wanted to end that policy. US was first when Matthew Perry arrived in Edo bay with a letter from President Millard Fillmore asking the Japanese for better treatment of sailors shipwrecked on the Japanese islands. He also asked for open foreign relations. Under military pressure, Japan agreed to the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US. • 2. Resistance to the New Order • Resistance to opening foreign relations was especially strong among the samurai warriors. They started uprisings against government and after a period of time the shotguns forces collapsed and began the Meiji Restoration.

  2. B. The Meiji Restoration • New leaders embarked on a policy of reform making Japan a modern Industrial nation. Symbol was Emperor MUTSUHITO. He called his reign the Meiji or “Enlightened Rule” capital moved to Kyoto. • 1. Transformation of Politics • New leaders moved first to abolish the old order and to strengthen power in their hands. Territories became known as prefectures. Meiji reformers set out to create a modern political system based on a western model. Promised to create a new legislative assembly. During next 20 years Meiji undertook a careful study of western political systems. Two main factions appeared: the liberals, who wanted political reform based on western liberal democratic model. Progressives wanted power to be shared between the legislative and executive branches. Constitution was modeled after Germany and most authority was given to the executive branch. Upper house included royal appointments and elected nobles and lower house was elected. Final result was political system that was democratic in form but authoritarian practice.

  3. 2. Meiji Economics • Set up a land reform program which made the traditional lands of the daimyo into the private property of the peasants. Under the new system, the farmers had to pay the land tax every year, regardless of the quality of the harvest. The chief goal of the reformers was to create a rich country and a strong state. Government gave subsidies to needy industries, provided training, improved transportation and communication. Close relationship between government and private business. • 3. Military and Education • Military was key focus. New imperial army based on compulsory military service was used. • Education changed and the leaders realized the need or universal education. • 4. Modern Social Structure • Japanese society was highly hierarchical, arranged in a formally ranked order. Women were especially limited by the “three obedience’s”: child to father, wife to husband, and widow to son. Meiji restoration had a marked effect on the traditional social system in Japan. Special privileges for the aristocracy were abolished. Women were allowed to seek an education. • Less attractive side: many commoners were ruthlessly exploited in the coal mines and textile mills. • The transformation into modern did not totally detach Japan from its ancient traditions.

  4. C. Joining the Imperialists • Soon copied the imperialist western approach to foreign affairs. • 1. Beginnings of expansion • Began close to home by claiming Ryuku (ree YOO kyoo)Islands. Forced Korea to open trade. Rivalry with Russia over Korea led to increasingly strained relationships. • 2. War with Russia • Russo-Japanese war began in 1904. Japan launched a surprise attack on Russian naval base at Port Arthur. Russia sent navy only to have it defeated by Japan. This war stunned the world and made Japan a world power. • 3. US Relations • US recognized the role of Japan in Korea. Japan recognized US control in Philippines.

  5. D. Culture in an Era of Transition • 1. New Western model • Japanese authors began translating and imitating the western model of literature. The novel changed greatly. Japanese invited technicians, engineers etc from Europe and USA to teach their modern skills. Japan copied western artistic technique and styles. Huge buildings of steel and reinforced concrete appeared in many Japanese Cities. • 2. Return to Tradition • Many Japanese artists began to return to older techniques. The Tokyo school of Fine Arts was established to promote traditional Japanese art. Japanese artists searched for new but truly Japanese means of expression. Some artists tried to bring together native and foreign techniques.

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