Modernization of Japan

Objective: Explain the global impact of Imperialism including: Modernization of Japan

Western powers also radically altered countries that they never officially colonized.Two of these are Japan and China.Those countries that they did colonize are still badly damaged by the experience.In Africa today, people still feel the effects of the 19th century imperialism.Although former colonies have been freed, many inhabitants cannot shake off the sense of inferiority and anger that colonial rulers imposed on them.

GLOBAL IMPACT OF IMPERIALISM

Hollywood

Vs.Real Life

The Japanese have a reputation for adopting other cultures and turning them to advantage.If so, this may explain why contact with the West strengthened that country in some important ways.

MODERNIZATION OF JAPAN

In the 1600s, Japan had cut itself off from most of the world.From about 1185 through the mid-1800s, Japan was organized into a feudal society, much like those in medieval Europe.A feudal society is one in which local lords govern their own lands, but owe loyalty and military services to a higher lord.

JAPAN’S FEUDAL SOCIETY

In japan, the highest lord was the shogun, or military dictator, who gave land to local lords known as daimyo in exchange for their loyalty.Various families controlled the shogunate over the centuries.The most famous family was the Tokugawa.Members of this family ruled Japan from about 1603 to 1868.


4 Generations of Tokugawa

Tokugawa Period

The local lords maintained order in their lands through the services of warriors known as samurai.The emperor of Japan was a ceremonial leader having no political power.The majority of Japanese at this time were farmers (1600s to 1800s)


Samurai Suit in Tokugawa Museum

The Industrial Revolution and the resulting imperialist pressures of the 19th century ended Japan’s isolation.In 1853, U.S. warships under the command of Matthew Perry sailed into Tokyo Harbor.

WESTERN INFLUENCE

The Japanese marveled at these steam-powered, ironclad ships armed with cannon.Perry presented the Japanese with a letter from U.S. President Franklin Pierce, requesting that Japan allow U.S. ships to trade in Japanese ports.Perry said he would return for an answer.

WESTERN INFLUENCE

After seeing Perry’s ships the Japanese realize that they would be unable to resist the military and industrial power of the United States.In 1854, Japan and the United States signed a treaty to pen Japan to U.S. trade.Other nations soon followed the United States in establishing trade and diplomatic relations with Japan.

WESTERN INFLUENCE

In 1868, the Sat-Cho (an alliance of daimyo and samurai in Japan’s southern provinces of Satsuma and Choshu) overthrew the Tokugawa shogun’s government.At first, this group was opposed to opening Japan to trade.Its members soon realized, however, that Japan could not stand up to Western nations without developing its own industrial and military power.

SHIFT OF POWER IN JAPAN

INDUSTRIALIZATION IN JAPAN

They decided to support the 15 year old Emperor Mutsuhito. Mutsuhito called his reign Meiji, which means “enlightened rule.”


However, the real power lay with the Sat-Cho.They succeeded in transforming Japan from an isolated feudal society into a modern industrial power.This period is called the Meiji Restoration.


The Meiji leaders studied the institutions of Western countries for ways to reform and modernize Japan.They organized a new centralized government with a legislative branch and a strong executive branch like Germany’s.They took the United States’ public education system as a model for their own.

WESTERNIZATION OF JAPAN

To make their military resemble the armed forces of the West, they expanded it and outfitted it with modern equipment, including new battleships.All Japanese men had to serve in the armed forces for three years.Like Western capitalists, they built factories and then sold them to investors.


A national railroad system was built to carry goods and workers to the new factories.Under Meiji Rule, Japan rapidly became an industrial society and important world-trading partner.


Based on observations of Western nations, Japan decided that it, too, could benefit from a colonial empire.The Japanese islands lacked petroleum and iron ore as well as other natural resources necessary for industry.The Japanese also wanted more land for an expanding population.


In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan fought two wars over Korea—one with China and one with Russia.Japan won both wars.The victory over Russia established Japan as world power.Japan controlled Taiwan, Manchuria, Korea, and several islands off the coasts of China and Russia.



Sino-Japanese War

Russo-Japanese War

Japanese Imperialism

Documents

Modernization of Japan