Japan: The Meiji Period

Japan: The Meiji Period

1. Influencing Factors

   • Russia
     • causes
       • wanted to increase its trading along with the pacific coast
       • traded with the Ainu and gained control of the Kruli island
     • effects
       • Japan claimed the Kruli Island and drove the Russians from it.
       • government made their isolation policy strict
   • European Nations
     • causes
       • Dutch East India hired ships tp carry its trade to Asia and Japan.
       • Western ideas were being circulated at Deshima
     • effects
       • Japan expelled all foreingers
         • only ships with special documents could come into Deshima
   • USA
     • causes
       • wanted trade agreement with Japan, and threatened to use of force if they disagree
     • effects
       • people who disagreed with the Bafuku called for the emperor to come back as a ruler
       • ended up signing contract
   • China
     • causes
       • signed an unequal trade agreement with Britain
     • effects
       • abandoned the don't-think-twice edict because of their fear of Britain
       • realized the power of the english forces

2. Changes

   • Political
     • the young leaders realized that the people needed a symbol to help develop nationalism feelings
     • the emperor showed the people that the shogun and bafuku were no longer in charge
     • started constitutional gov't
     • the capital moved from Kyoto to Edo
     • class systems were abolished which allowed people to choose their jobs
   • Economic
     • gov't owned businesses were sold to private buisnesses
     • new plants and factories
     • hired western experts
     • after the Meiji period, Japan's national income doubled
     • new industries were owned by gov't
   • Social
     • feudal system was eliminated
     • Daimyo became one class with the court nobility
     • the Samurai class became unimportant
     • commoners were people who could move to higher positions and get paid more
     • farmers could sell their land to pay for taxes
     • education was made free and available for all
   • Cultural
     • Japan became a more modernized society
     • centralized family state
     • more people became educated
     • respected family and social values
     • Japanese culture became famous
   • Military
     • Japan quickly took Korea from China
     • was required to use a moral code
     • used the british navy and german army as its models
     • Japan used the military conscripition that was influenced by the frenchies
     • with a strong military, the gov't could bring, change and defeat any internal opposition