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Yoshinobu mounted a brief civil war that ended with his surrender to imperial forces in June 1869. The Tenpo calendar (lunisolar calendar) was used until December 2, 1872, after which the solar calendar was adopted. Members of the ruling samurai class had become concerned about the shogunates ability to protect the country as more Western countries attempted to open Japan after more than two hundred years of virtual isolation. It gave the government further motivation to become an imperial power in Asia, ultimately setting the gears in motion for Japan's actions in World War II. The Meiji Restoration was a time for change and life of women was changing. What were the 3 most important events of the Meiji Restoration? Communism in China Factors & Rise | How Did China Become Communist? The collection includes accounts of daily life in Japan, material about missionary activities, and the writings of diplomats and long-term residents of Japan discussing the impact of Westerners on Japanese society, as well as the history of the foreign communities in Japan. Among those were: The Meiji period that followed the Restoration was an era of major political, economic, and social change in Japan. On the other hand, restoration would mean that these things existed before which is not the case for the Meijis era. Effects of Tokugawa's period Meiji period was characterized by rapid change and modernization. The basis for education was to make the citizens learned and also to counter the rapid changes that occurred in the modern world. Since the opening of Japan to the outside world, Japanese customs and practices have been reported from a curious perspective by foreigners who visited Japan. An error occurred trying to load this video. Mixed bathing at public baths was surprising in the eyes of Westerners, and the Meiji government attempted to ban it in the early Meiji Era. The national army was created in 1871, and universal conscription meant that every Japanese man needed to serve in the military. The result of these changes was a drafted constitution in 1989 that transformed Japan to be turned into a constitutional monarchy. In concert with a national identity devoted in service to the emperor, this created an educated working class that could match Western industry in only a few generations. Consequently, western technology was greatly employed by domestic companies to produce highly sophisticated products. The abolition of the chonmage was also an important policy showing that Japan was aiming to become a modern and civilized nation. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Both the sources of these changes and the way in which they made Japan "modern" provide the material for one of human history's more dramatic stories. How did the Meiji Restoration change Japan? The new change of democracy and governance resulted to the signing of a charter oath by Emperor Hironto which was done with the Humanity Declaration Committee. The Meiji Reforms led to an educated and industrial Japan, which expanded into several imperialistic wars in which several foreign countries were defeated. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel Steamship Japans leading shipping company today, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, wasfounded in 1885. Updates? We've received widespread press coverage since 2003, Your UKEssays purchase is secure and we're rated 4.4/5 on reviews.co.uk. The Shogunate Before From 1603 to 1868 Japan was a feudal society with a hierarchy of lords, samurai, and peasants. A nation-state is a country where the population shares a common national and cultural identity. In Japanese military history, the modernization of the Japanese army and navy during the Meiji period (1868-1912) and until the Mukden Incident (1931) was carried out by the newly founded national government, a military leadership that was only responsible to the Emperor, and with the help of France, Britain, and later Germany . Railroad In 1872, the railroad between Shimbashi and Yokohama was opened and steam locomotives began to operate. However, this triggered a movement to abolish Buddhism, which led to the destruction of temples and Buddhist objects. This overlapped into the Meijis era hence forming the big banking facilities that were seen during the Meijis era. But before Japan was a powerful Nation, it needed to modernize. They wanted to unite the country under a new, centralized government in order to strengthen their army to defend against foreign influence. One of the these was the virtually bloodless end of the aristocratic warrior class known as the samurai. The Japanese disposed of their feudal system for a representational government, copied many Western ideas, and unified into an educated yet imperialistic country. Japans fame could also be compared to how both China and Japan responded to external invasions. In 1868 the political uprising that ended the military government of the Tokugawa shogunate is known as Meiji Restoration. [Obtain historical data] Grades 7-12: Assess the impact of Western ideas and the role of Free resources to assist you with your university studies! ChristianityIn 1873, the government removed the ban on Christianity. The adoption of universal education. First, the idea of sonno joi, or "revere the emperor and expel the foreigners," took hold with those that were against the decaying power of the shogunate. The Meiji period that followed the Restoration was an era of major political, economic, and social change in Japan. All feudal class privileges were abolished as well. Document #6: Overall Effects Based on the quotes and your new knowledge, what were the overall effects of the Meiji Restoration on Japan? What were three effects of the Meiji Restoration? Also, national holidays were created, such as "National Foundation Day," which celebrated the foundation of Japan as well as the idea of all Japanese people as a member of the Japanese nation-state. The population in the city of Tokyo was distributed evenly. Study for free with our range of university lectures! Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. There were radical changes that took place during the Meiji transformation. This drastic change in Japanese society and economics led to its role in WWII and its modern place in the world today. At first, many supporters of the emperor were also very critical of Western influence. As the Japanese modernized and formed a national identity, the ideas of Bunmei Kaika (civilization and enlightenment) and Fukoku Kohei (enrich the country and protect the military) combined with the newly created Meiji Constitution to shape Japan into a strong, militaristic country. The effect was to vault Japan into the ranks of the world's great powers. During the Meiji Restoration, social change was synonymous with modernization and Westernization. _Meiji Restoration.pdf - Meiji Restoration Click on hyperlink to This period had been a form of generation that was more enlightened compared to the former era. Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. Evidence that shows that Japans military team was strengthened was the victory which was seen in two wars. The most affected government sectors were the social, political, economic oriented institutions. This resulted to the promulgation of a new charter that was accomplished in 1968. What were the effects of Bushido on Japan after the Meiji Restoration? Chinese military group were not prepared to the great modernization that had taken placed. This sounds like an urban legend, but these stories were recorded. Furthermore, their genuine interest in progress economically also boosted the country in terms of economic development. Conscription system (draft system) The government also called this the blood tax.. The Meiji Restoration completely transformed Japan by modernizing the country. His downfall led to so many positive dramatic changes. Japan created an efficient rail system, improved communications technology, and started mechanizing industry. Also, the Meiji Emperor's father, the west-suspicious Komei, had died in 1867, leading to his more liberal son Meiji taking the throne. Lastly, there were those countries that acted in partnership with Japan in terms of trade. It was not going to be pushed around. By the end of the Meiji Era, these situations were less common. It was led by young samurai who saw the need for change. It ended the roughly 700-year period of "samurai . Following world war two, the emperors in Japan resolved to form a new rule that was democratic in stature. The Meiji Restoration was a major revolution that brought an end to over 260 years of feudal government. This was followed in 1898 by the adoption of the same surname for married couples under the Civil Code. How did the Meiji Restoration change Japan? In 1875, an ordinance was promulgated, requiring all people to use surnames. READ: Meiji Restoration (article) | Khan Academy Our academic experts are ready and waiting to assist with any writing project you may have. Therefore, between 1894 and 1895, Japan was in a great position to defend itself against any external attacks by any external military forces. Furthermore, the fiefdoms that had fought against the Tokugawa shogunate centuries before (including the Choshu, Satsuma, and Tosa) at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1603 were now united and ready to overthrow the shogunate and instill the emperor into power. There was no military in Japan during the Edo Period. An order was issued to cut off samurai-style hair. Meiji Restoration, in Japanese history, the political revolution in 1868 that brought about the final demise of the Tokugawa shogunate (military government)thus ending the Edo (Tokugawa) period (16031867)and, at least nominally, returned control of the country to direct imperial rule under Mutsuhito (the emperor Meiji). One answer is found in the Meiji Restoration itself. Western-style clothing The first Japanese to wear clothes were the imperial family and the military personnel. At the same time, universal education was introduced to Japan. In addition, the new government carried out policies to unify the monetary and tax systems, with the agricultural tax reform of 1873 providing its primary source of revenue. The era involved a complete change to that which had never existed before. What were the effects of the Meiji Restoration? Do you have a 2:1 degree or higher? Japan's goal of achieving fukoku kyohei, "rich country; strong military", fuelled major political, economic and social changes during the Meiji Restoration. Worried by internal problems and outside pressures and inspired by the rise of nation-states, Japan became modernized and Westernized through its slogans of Fukoku Kyohei and Bunmei Kaika. Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals from one socio-economic strata to another, followed by a change in their social status. The labor force in Japan was mainly unskilled and did not recognize the new technologies. The brief Boshin War, from 1868-1869, pitted shogunate-supporting samurai against a smaller group of breakaway provinces that were armed with rifles and other weapons. Japan's goal of achieving fukoku kyohei, "rich country; strong military", fuelled major political, economic and social changes during the Meiji Restoration. A military dictator, or shogun, ruled over everyone. These were the Russo-Japanese war and Sino-Japanese war. Out with the old, in with the new? Exploring differences in elite Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The constitution was presented as a gift from the emperor, and it created a two-house parliament called the Imperial Diet. *You can also browse our support articles here >. Japan's Cabinet Secretariat has the overall responsibility for the implementation of the framework. Economic Effects of Meiji Restoration. There were some negatives effects of Meiji Restoration as Japan abolished many traditional things which would be loved by the people in the 21st century. This system had also reduced many of its samurai warlords to glorified office clerks, forced to reside in Tokyo with the feudal lords they served. The factors that show that the Meiji era was a transformation to a new era points out the issue of constitutional promulgation, a highly developed communication and transport system, a well established industrial system that employed modern technology with a refurbished military system and lastly an established democratic government. This eventually led to their expansion. The Meiji Emperor represented a mixture of West and East. Looking for a flexible role? Besides, these aims were greatly achieved by carrying out reforms. Some even thought that telegrams were delivered through the power lines in the form of letters; thus, they waited at the nearby transmission tower all day for telegrams to arrive, bringing their lunch, laying out a mat, and sitting there. Japan and its people did not like this feeling of helplessness. The feudal system was swept away, along with its strict class system. (The school attendance rate in England at that time was 20% and the literacy rate was 10%). The most affected government sectors were the social, political, economic oriented institutions. All rights reserved. During early industrialisation, women were worked in factories under poor conditions. What caused the Meiji Restoration? | Britannica Therefore, Japan overstepped many countries in East Asia to top the ranks of the most powerful countries. Moreover, some members who were supporters of daimyo were accepted in the new government and were reappointed as leaders. One of these major effects of the event was the fact that the previously feudal country was transformed into an empire that was entirely capable of competing with many of the greatest powers of the time. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 The idea of nationalism and the nation-state was growing.