What Factors Influenced Change in Meiji Japan?

1. What Factors Influenced Change in Meiji Japan? The end of Isolation http://images.artelino.com/images/articles/meiji-period2.jpg

2. Outcomes • 8.1.6.1 – What were the motivations for the radical changes in Japan’s model of organization during the Meiji period? • 8.1.6.2 – How did Japan adapt to changes brought on by the transition from feudal to modern models of organization?

3. Key words • Czar: Russian monarch • Assimilate: to be absorbed into a larger group, often by giving up aspects of identity • Commodore: a former US Navy ranking above captain and below rear admiral • Inviolable: not to be violated or injured • Representative government: a government in which decisions are made by elected representatives

4. Focus Questions • How did outside influences create a crisis? • How can individuals change the way others view the world? (Focus on inquiry question) • How did Japan respond to the crisis? • How did the political system change? • How did Japan reshape its world view and begin to modernize?

5. Factors that influenced Japan • This chapter focuses on the outside influences that forced Japan to make many changes that modernized the country. • http://historyfacebook.wikispaces.com/file/view/tokugawa-display.jpg/30591554/515x482/tokugawa-display.jpg

6. What Made Japan Change To A Modern Country? • By the mid 19th century, Japan was changing into an urbanized society • It tried to keep everyone out and remained isolated from the world • The outside world however would not leave Japan alone • The only trading that happened with Japan at this time was with the Dutch East India Company

7. How Did Outside Influences Create a Crisis? • Japan’s contact with the outside world was inevitable – Why do you think this is? • Foreign ships continued to sail along Japan’s coast line to trade to other countries, but once in a while ships would sink and sailors would be washed ashore • The Shogun and the Bakufu were worried they would lose power in society if they abandoned the policy of isolation

8. The Influence of Russia • Russians began to build outposts on the Kuril Islands and introduce Christianity to the Ainu. • The Russians were eventually forced to leave by the Japanese as they claimed the islands for Japan • The Russians continued to try and establish trade relations with Japan but even in 1804 the Japanese still refused • In 1811, to demonstrate their strength, the Japanese captured a captain off one of the Russian ships that continued to pester them with trade propositions. They held him captive for two years before releasing him to the Dutch • http://0.tqn.com/d/goeasteurope/1/0/0/2/-/-/RussianFlag.jpg

9. The Influence of Europe • European influence, through the Dutch East India Company, convinced the Japanese they needed to learn more about Western Civilization • They imported and translated books about western history, institutions, military and science. • Some Japanese officials believed that European languages were basically one language because all were written horizontally, not vertically, like Asian languages • They thought this was a plan to fool their enemies • They also noticed Europeans dressed in a similar manner • The officials believed since there were similar languages and clothing that there must be one superpower in Europe.

10. The Influence of China • In 1842, Japan learned that the powerful country of China had lost its independence to the European nation of Great Britain after losing a war • Britain gained right to land at specific ports, having low fixed tariffs, as well as not having Chinese law enforced on Westerners • All of these resulted in China being very weak; and Britain extended these rights to all countries wanting to trade with Britain • The Japanese were now afraid they might also lose their independence if they did begin trading with the western nations. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/ch-lgflag.gif

11. China • 1839, war between China and Britain • Opium trade (very addictive drug) • Britain started smuggling it (China not happy) • Chinese banned the sale • Britain sent warships and attacked (Britain won) • China had to sign “Unequal Treaties” where they got “carved up like a melon” by other European countries http://www.us-china-edu.com/images/china1.jpg

12. Opium Wars http://history.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/upload/upfiles/200911/10/first_opium_war09da0eacd2f3df652ee2.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Slaapbol_R0017601.JPG/180px-Slaapbol_R0017601.JPG http://asadullahsohail.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/opium-production11.jpg

13. The Influence of the United States • At this time the United States was looking to open coal stations for its ships along the Japanese coast because it was a long journey and needed to re- fuel • Also the United States wanted promises that if one of their ships went down; their sailors would get assistance on Japan’s shores http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01118/usflag-460_1118303c.jpg

14. July 14th, 1853 • Commodore Perry arrived at Japan with 2 steamships, 2 sailing vessels, 977 men, and 66 guns • Came with letter from President Millard Fillmore • Wanted trade, protection for shipwrecked Americans, and the right to buy coal for ships • Perry said he’d return for an answer

15. 1854 • Perry returned with 18 black ships and more troops • Treaty of Kanasawa- opened two Japanese ports, established an American consulate, and demands for shipwrecked sailors and coal were accepted • http://www.payer.de/neobuddhismus/neobuddh0934.gif

16. American Expansionism • Were constantly expanding West in their country since their dependence • Manifest Destiny - The belief that the USA had a mission to spread its territory and its ideas about democracy and economics westward across North America and beyond http://www.historyonthenet.com/American_West/images/manifestdestiny.jpg

17. 1856-1863 • An American consul, Townsend Harris was sent to Japan to organize a more complex trade agreement • After long negotiations the Harris treaty was finally signed (1858) • This treaty allowed Americans to live in Edo and Osaka under protection of American law • Five ports were now open to the US, as well as the US negotiated an agreement to supply Japan with ships, arms and technicians

18. Internal Unrest • There were several heated debates between the Bakufu and the samurai as to whether they should have agreed with the United States requests • Many viewed the two treaties as favoring the States • Japan signed similar treaties with England, France, the Netherlands, and Russia later that year • Isolation was no longer possible! • Japan now needed to compete with West in order to protect Japan’s sovereignty and meet foreign challenges

19. Culture Shock • When people are suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar way of life, culture, or attitudes • What do you think that main shocks would be between the USA and Japan? http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/abr1379l.jpg

20. Civil Unrest • By the mid 1800’s there was widespread unrest across the country • Bad weather caused crop failures resulting in many farmers and peasants starving • Not only did they begin to question the taxes but the government as well • Support for the Bakufu was weakening

21. Civil War • Treaties seen as weakness of the Shogun • People started rioting in the streets and using violence • Opposing Daimyo were retired or put under arrest • Their samurai then imprisoned, exiled or executed • Attacks on foreigners increased • Foreign gunboats then bombarded Japan’s shore

22. 1868 • The shogun resigned • Petitioned emperor to take over power • More civil war because some wanted shogunate restored • Others wanted emperor to rule • Country is divided • In end, 30,000 troops (emperor supporters) blasted the shogunate stronghold, set it on fire: new era starting • http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Tokugawa_Ieyasu.jpg/220px-Tokugawa_Ieyasu.jpg

23. New Emperor • Moved into the Tokugawa castle of Edo and renamed the city Tokyo • Tokyo means “Eastern Capital” • Finally the Tokugawa Era that last more than 250 years was over

24. Political System changing… • The Meiji leaders declared the Emperor sacred and inviolable • Young Emperor was seen as symbol of unity and became an icon to bind the country together http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Meiji_tenno3.jpg/220px-Meiji_tenno3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Meiji&usg=__7ZYEJaitFG5EDjioiFKHG4honWw=&h=323&w=220&sz=16&hl=en&start=2&zoom=1&tbnid=9fyM61THbohCWM:&tbnh=118&tbnw=80&ei=sFGMT5D3OOSXiAKy1OWsCw&prev=/search%3Fq%3DEmperor%2BMeiji%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4RNSN_enCA402CA403%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1

25. The Charter of Oath • The organizers of the takeover knew it was important to gain the confidences of all the domains in the new government • In April 1868, Emperor Meiji signed the Charter of Oath which outlined the goals of the new regime • Future policies would be based on the consensus of the daimyo of all domains • This charter showed change in all three elements of worldview: political and economic systems, social systems and culture

26. The Charter Oath (pg.182) • Deliberative assemblies shall be widely established and all matters decided in public discussion • All classes, high and low, shall unite in vigorously carrying out the administration of the state • The common people, no less than the civil and military officials, shall each be allowed to pursue their own calling to that there shall be no dissent • Evil customs of the past shall be ended and everything shall be based on the just laws of nature • Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as to strengthen the foundations of imperial rule

27. New Leadership • Although the Emperor was the official head of government, the men who had overthrown the Tokugawa Bakufu formed and oligarchy and were in charge • They created changes in Japan that promoted economic growth and industrialization • Their slogan was “Enrich the country; strengthen the military”

28. New Leadership • The new leaders were young intelligent samurai eager for change • Average age among them was 30 • They had two goals: • To modernize Japan and make the economy grow • To renegotiate unequal treaties • The new leaders decided that they did not want to restore traditional ways but create but a new modernized Japan http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/MeijiEmperorReceivingOrderOfTheGarter1906.jpg

29. Modernizing Japan • The new leaders wanted models so they could rebuild Japan • They looked towards Western nations as they saw Europe and North America as being wealthy and powerful • Through modernization Japans worldview changed drastically • Japan now welcomed foreigners and brought it educators and experts to help Japan along in the process • Japan also sent some of the leaders abroad to learn about laws and customs in successful Western nations

30. The Iwakuru Mission • In 1871, the new governments sent 50 officials and 50 students on a 22 months tour of 12 countries • Their purpose was to find the best ideas throughout the world and bring them back to Japan • Iwakuru Tomomi, led the mission as a Chief Ambassador and completed his report in 1878 • He concluded that: • Japan was not in any immediate danger of losing its independence to another country • Japan must modernize their society • They were hopelessly behind as the had expected

31. Modernization of Japan The country was now ready to face new challenges… http://www.travelinstyle.com/japan/images/jnto3/mM21_Cosmo_Clock.jpg

32. References • Information taken from: • Our Canada, Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada, 2006. pg. Chapter 5.