Japan and the Meiji Restoration

Japan becomes a National Power

Tokugawa Isolation

Prior to the arrival of Matthew Perry of the U.S. in 1854 Japan had been isolated for 200 years.

In 1500’s Europeans had tried to trade with Japan however the Shoguns had gained control of Japan and banned contact with almost the entire outside world.

Japanese Isolation

Japan had built an highly ethnocentric societyJapanese were not allowed to travel

outside the nationForeigners were not allowed inside the

nationBy the 19th Century The U.S. and

Europe were looking for markets were ever they could find them and they turned to Japan

Commodore Matthew Perry

In 1854 Perry gave Japan a letter asking them to open trade with the U.S.

Americans and Europeans wanted to not only open trade with Japan but also use Japanese ports to repair and resupply their ships.

Treaty of Kanagawa

The Japanese shoguns were impressed by the American show of force.

Japan agreed to open its ports and signed the Treaty of Kanagawa.

The Treaty gave trading rights to the U.S. and soon other countries like Britain, France and Russia also gained trading rights.

Treaty of Kanagawa

The Treaty had a powerful impact on Japan.It weakened the power of the shogun who

some Japanese felt had given in to foreigners.

It showed that for for Japan to compete with the west that Japan had to modernize and industrialize.

The Japanese rebelled against and overthrew the Shogun, restored the emperor, and began to modernize and industrialize.

The Meiji Restoration

In 1867 the samurai led the rebellion to remove the Tokugawa shogun from power.

In 1868 the emperor was established as the leader of Japan.

The period from 1868 to 1912 is known as the Meiji Restoration.

Meiji means “enlightened one”

Modernization and Industrialization

Once the Emperor was in place he began to make changes to Japan that would make Japan a world power.

Modernization and Industrialization

Borrowing from the WestThe emperor sent advisors and

government officials to western nations to study government, economics, technology, and customs.

Foreign experts were also invited to Japan.

Modernization and Industrialization

EconomicsThe Meiji government used western methods

and machinery to industrialize Japan.The government built factories and then sold

them to wealthy Japanese businessmen, know as zaibatsu.

The government developed a banking system.

The government built ports and railroadsBy 1890 the economy was strong, the

population had grown, and peasants moved to the cities looking for jobs.

Modernization and Industrialization

GovernmentThe Meiji wanted a strong central

government and used Germany as their model.

The Meiji liked the strength of the Germany’s constitution and that the government was run by only a few select men.

Modernization and Industrialization

Military Samurai are no longer the only warriors

in Japan.Japan admired the discipline of the

German army and the skill of the British navy.

All men must join the militaryJapan modernizes its navyJapan develops a strong army and navy

and defeats European powers in warfare.

Japan as a Global Power By 1894 Japan had

transformed itself into a major world power.

Japan used its military strength to become imperialistic.

Japan became imperialistic looking for colonies for raw materials and new markets.

Japan found these colonies through warfare.

Japan as a Global Power

Sino-Japanese War 1894-1895 Japan tries to expand

into Korea. China goes to war

with Japan over Korea.

Japan quickly wins the war

Japan gets Taiwan, ports in China, and Korea becomes a protectorate of Japan.

Japan as a Global Power Russo-Japanese War

1904-1905 Both Japan and Russia have

interest in Korea. Russia refuses to recognize

Japan’s rights to Korea. Japan launches a surprise

attack against the Russians destroying the Russian navy and driving the Russian troops out of Korea.

Russia is forced to withdraw from Korea

Japan is seen as a major military power with the defeat of a European nation

Japan as a Global Power

Dependence on a World MarketJapan’s economy depended on

trade. It needed new markets.Japan is an island and lack many of

the natural resources to keep their industrialization alive.

For Japan to compete with the world market Japan would have to continue to be imperialistic.

Japan as a Global Power

Results of Imperialistic JapanJapan borrowed many western ideas to

become a modern and industrialized nation.

Japan quickly establishes itself as a strong military power.

Japan needs to continue to colonize to keep raw materials coming in and finished products going out of the country.Japan is truly the only country that needs to

colonize because they lack raw materials

Japan’s Industrial Revolutionv

Europe’s Industrial RevJapan

Japan’s Ind. Rev only took about 30 years because they borrowed everything

Private corporations-Wealthy class

UrbanizationNeed for raw

materials

EuropeEurope’s industrial

Rev. a century because they had to invent everything

Private Corporations-Wealthy class

UrbanizationNeed for raw

materials