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What was the Meiji Restoration?

What was the Meiji Restoration?. L/O – To identify the causes, events and significance of the Meiji Restoration 1868-1913. The Meiji Restoration. Before 1868, Japan was a feudal country , mainly agricultural, militarily weak and lacked technological development.

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What was the Meiji Restoration?

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  1. What was the Meiji Restoration? L/O – To identify the causes, events and significance of the Meiji Restoration 1868-1913

  2. The Meiji Restoration • Before 1868, Japan was a feudal country, mainly agricultural, militarily weak and lacked technological development. • By 1912 when Emperor Meiji died, Japan had: • A highly centralised, bureaucratic government; • A constitution establishing an elected parliament; • A well-developed transport and communications system; • A highly educated population, free of class restrictions • An established and growing industrial sector • A powerful army and navy with a growing overseas empire.

  3. 1842 – British victory over China in Opium War worries Japan: could it happen to them?

  4. 1853 – US Commodore Matthew Perry sails into Edo, with letter from President Filmore demanding Japan opens its ports to trade

  5. 1854 – Treaty of Kanagawa – Japan forced to open two ports and is humiliated – followed by European powers

  6. 1867 – Domains of Satsuma & Choshu march on Kyoto, take control of government

  7. 1868 – Meiji Restoration Declared, Bakufu abolished

  8. 1868 Charter Oath, New goals of society declared

  9. 1871 – Members of government travel to West to gather ideas

  10. 1889 – Meiji Constitution ‘gifted’

  11. 1890s - Unequal treaties abolished

  12. 1894-5 – Sino-Japanese War, Japan gains Taiwan and Korea becomes a Japanese protectorate

  13. 1904-5 – Russo-Japanese War, Japan beats Russia. First Asian country to beat European nation!

  14. Japan before the Meiji Restoration • Between 1460s-1600, a period of civil war existed in Japan known as the ‘Sengoku-Jidai’. • Rival domains, each led by a Daimyo (lord), who competed to extend their power and influence.

  15. The Unification of Japan • In 1600 after the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasuunified Japan and was declared ‘Shogun’, creating a stable government for this first time in hundreds of years. • The new capital was based at Edo (Tokyo). • He controlled the Daimyo by forcing them to live and keep their family in Edo every other year (SankinKotai).

  16. 1600 A.D. - The Battle of Sekigahara

  17. The Tokugawa Bakufu Emperor • The new government was called the Bakufu (military government) and the period of 1600-1868 is known as the ‘Tokugawa Bakufu’. • The Tokugawa Bakufucentralised political power in Edo but didn’t change the Feudal structure of government drastically. • Regional domains led by Daimyo were still largely independent. Shogun Daimyo Samurai

  18. Japan before the Meiji Restoration Samuari - shi • Society was still rigidly controlled by a strict class system known as the ‘shi-no-ko-sho’ (four divisions of society). • Class was determined by birth and people couldn’t change professions! • The system was influenced by the Confucian ideals of piety, loyalty, and stoicism = each person had their place in society. Farmers - no Artisans - ko Merchants - sho

  19. Japan before the Meiji Restoration • Because of Shi-no-ko-sho there was a lack of ‘social mobility’ in society which caused tensions to mount, especially between the samurai and merchants. • Samurai resented the growing power and wealth of the merchants class whilst many resented the Samurai, who seemed to offer nothing to society whilst claiming food and stipends from their domains.

  20. Japan at the time of Commodore Perry • When US Commodore Perry arrived in Japan in 1853, the Tokugawa Bakufu system of government was facing problems. • It had no centralised tax system, no national army and many domains still operated independently. • It is no wonder that when Perry returned in 1854, Japan was forced to sign humiliating treaties.

  21. Collapse of the Tokugawa Bakufu • The arrival of Perry therefore acted as a catalyst in triggering a series of events and unleashing tensions already existing in Japan. • Many Samurai, especially from distant domains such as Satsuma and Choshu began to loose faith in the Shogunate and called for ‘Sonno Joi’ – revere the emperor and repel the barbarians. They wanted a return of the emperor.

  22. Collapse of the Tokugawa Bakufu • In 1866, Choshu and Satsuma agreed a secret and illegal alliance. This angered the new Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, who launched a military campaign. • The Bakufu army was defeated and forced into a humiliating retreat across Japan back to Edo. • The Bakufu was shown to be military inadequate – losing legitimacy.

  23. Collapse of the Tokugawa Bakufu • The Daimyo of Satsuma and Choshu took advantage of this defeat and marched on Kyoto in Dec 1867. • They occupied the city and took control of the imperial palace. • They convinced the new Emperor Meiji to pronounce an imperial restoration, abolishing the bakufuby imperial decree in January 1868.

  24. Aims of the Meiji Restoration • The new government to reverse the humiliations of the Unequal Treaties by turning Japan into a ‘modern’ and ‘civilised’ country. • The new government put absolute power in the hands of the emperor however in reality, decisions were made by a group of advisors known as the ‘genro’. • These were ex-samurai advisors from Satsuma & Choshu who fought to restore the emperor.

  25. Deliberative assemblies shall be widely established and all matters decided by public discussion. 2. All classes, high and low, shall unite in vigorously carrying out the administration of affairs of state. 3. The common people, no less than the civil and military officials, shall each be allowed to pursue his own calling so that there may be no discontent. 4. Evil customs of the past shall be broken off and everything based upon the just laws of Nature. 5. Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as to strengthen the foundations of imperial rule. The Charter Oath • In April 1868 the emperor issued the Charter Oath, listing five aims of the new government

  26. The 1889 Constitution • In 1889 the Emperor ‘gifted’ a new constitution to the Japanese people. • This established a bicameral parliament (Diet), with an elected lower house and appointed upper house and rights for citizens. • However debates range over whether the constitution was a strategic move by the Genroto prevent popular involvement in politics or was it a genuine attempt at reform?

  27. Plenary • Who unified Japan in 1600? • What is the period of 1600-1868 known as? • What were the four divisions of society before the Meiji restoration? • Which two domains led a rebellion against Tokugawa Yoshinobu? • Describe at least two points from the Charter Oath • What changes did the 1889 Constitution introduce? • Why was the Meiji Restoration such as significant change? Did we meet our learning objective? L/O – To identify the causes, events and significance of the Meiji Restoration 1868-1913

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