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The Rise of Germany and Japan. A Comparison. Tokugawa Shogunate Japan. For almost 300 years the shogunate r uled Japan Its later years were marked by bad harvests and increasing corruption Samurai lashed out at the incompetence of the central government
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The Rise of Germany and Japan A Comparison
Tokugawa Shogunate Japan • For almost 300 years the shogunateruled Japan • Its later years were marked by bad harvests and increasing corruption • Samurai lashed out at the incompetence of the central government • Japan was very isolationist and only rarely traded with Korea…but this changes in 1853
Commodore Matthew Perry • Westerns nations began approaching Japan and trying to open it up to trade • In the summer of 1853, Perry sailed into Tokyo Bay with 4 heavily armed guns ships. • He asked for the opening of trade • Japanese leaders argued over what to do • Finally, weary of US military power the Tokugawa Shogunate agreed to open Japan up
Japanese upset • Many Japanese living far from Tokyo were upset that Japan gave in • Felt it showed weakness and demanded the resignation of the shogunate and restoration of the emperor to his rightful place • In 1868, the emperor is restored
Meiji Restoration • The emperor took the name Meiji which means enlightened rule • Embarks on a transformation of Japanese society • Begins to modernize Japan
Political • Created a legislative body to help rule Japan, modeled on the West • Power still rested in the hands of the ruling oligarchy
Economic • Land taken away from Daimyos and given to peasants who had to pay a 3% tax • When peasants could not pay they sold their land, by end of the century 40% of farmers were tenants • Needed industry - universal education with emphasis on applied science -provided subsidies to industry -Key industry is weaponry and shipbuilding Funds provided locally and not by Westerners thus keeping out western money
Social Structure • 1871, abolition of hereditary rights • Increased military and did away with samuari soldiers. Also had conscription • Education based on Western models, especially the US • Western clothing became popular, along with ball room dancing. Baseball became popular
Militarism • Where does it get the money? • Through exports of textiles the government gained revenue to spend on military equipment and heavy industry • Textile industry was dominated by a women workforce • Irony, women had few rights yet it was their labor force that allowed Japan to become a military world power.
Japanese Imperialism • In 1895 they take over Taiwan and forced Korea to open 3 ports to Japanese goods • 1895, Japan and China joined in a peasant revolt in Korea, on opposite sides. Japan will annex Korea in 1908 • Japan gains Liaodong Peninsula and Port Arthur. Due to European pressure the Japanese gave it back • The Russians took Port Arthur in 1898 from China. In 1904, Japan makes a surprise attack on Port Arthur
Russo-Japanese War • Japanese destroy the navy of Russia • An Asian country defeated a European power • Japan regains Liaodong peninsula and the southern Sakhalin and the Kurile Islands
Culture in Transition • European and US teachers flood Japan to teach modern skills • Western architecture is on the rise in Japan • Japanese art and gardens also influenced Western artists • Many Japanese still revered the traditional Japanese ways and values. There was tug-of-war between modernity and tradition
Japan and Germany • Asian Fascism: feudal and warrior ethic combined with modern capitalism • Both engaged in repression at home and expansion abroad to achieve national objectives • Took defeat in war to disconnect the feudal ethic and bring about the transformation to a pluralistic society dedicated to living in peace and cooperation
Germany and Otto Von Bismarck • Prussia refused to levy taxes for military • Bismarck: “Germany does not look to Prussia’s liberalism but to her power…Not by speeches and majorities will the great questions of the day be decided-that was the mistake of 1848-1849- but by blood and iron.” • He governed Prussia by ignoring Parliament • Advocated Realpolitik – “politics of reality”
Imperial Germany • Bicameral legislature • Lower house was known as the Reichstag, which gave universal male suffrage • Chancellor was responsible to the emperor not the Parliament • Chance for democracy to grow but it failed because of army’s independence and Bismarck political tactics
Imperial Germany • Germany was an authoritarian, conservative, military-bureaucratic state • Had the strongest military, Britain had the strongest navy
Industrial Powerhouse in Europe • Strong industry – see notes • Over 50 percent of German workers were in industry • Over 30 percent of workforce was still in agriculture • Society was torn between traditionalism and modernization • There were demands for more democracy with Germany