The Meiji Restoration

1. The Meiji Restoration In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: The Meiji Restoration Modernization Effects of the Meiji Restoration E. Napp

2. The last Tokugawa Shogun was criticized for opening Japan to the West. The Shogunate collapsed. E. Napp

3. The Emperor was suddenly restored to power. It is important to remember that during the Shogunate, the emperors had acted as mere puppets. E. Napp

4. The Meiji Restoration restored power to the Emperors of Japan. E. Napp

5. Emperor Meiji realized that Japan had to adopt Western ways if Japan was to escape future domination by the West. E. Napp

6. Emperor Meiji began the process of modernization. The Japanese became a modern nation with modern technology. E. Napp

7. One effect of the Meiji Restoration was that feudalism was abolished. The samurai lost their status. A modern military was established. E. Napp

8. The Japanese adopted Western technology. They built railroads and factories. E. Napp

9. Japan was given a written constitution. The emperor kept his full power and a Western-style military was created. E. Napp

10. Universal compulsory education was introduced. Many Japanese students went abroad to study European and American economic policies and technological innovations. E. Napp

11. Like Peter the Great, the Russian Tsar, the Japanese began to look to the West in an attempt to become a powerful, modern nation. E. Napp

12. The Japanese even developed an Imperial Empire. E. Napp

13. It is important to remember that Japan has few natural resources. The Japanese began to conquer colonies for raw materials for manufacturing. E. Napp

14. Questions for Reflection: • Why were people upset with the Tokugawa Shogun? • What was the Meiji Restoration? • Why did Emperor Meiji modernize and westernize Japan? • What were three effects of the Meiji Restoration? • How did the Meiji Restoration end feudalism in Japan? E. Napp