The Meiji Restoration (1868-1912)
The Meiji Restoration was a period of reform in Japan, where many aspects of Japanese society and politics changed. This was brought on by the US' policy of Gunboat Diplomacy and the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry to open Japan to trade. Japan at the time was technologically inferior to the West, and feared domination by the colonial powers, similar to what had happened to China during that period. The Meiji Restoration was an effort to industrialize Japan to allow it to catch up with the Western Powers, as well as the ideology of "Rich Country, Strong Army" which was adapted from German Leader Bismark's sayings.
By the early twentieth century, the Japanese empire was now fortified with colonies in Taiwan and Korea, with Japan seeming to be able to achieve its Meiji period goals. Industrial production continued, with significant cooperation between the government and the entrepreneurial class. This is illustrated in a quote by a Meiji businessman "(Business) is the determination to work for the sake of society and mankind as well as for the future of the nation, even if it means sacrificing oneself".
By the early twentieth century, the Japanese empire was now fortified with colonies in Taiwan and Korea, with Japan seeming to be able to achieve its Meiji period goals. Industrial production continued, with significant cooperation between the government and the entrepreneurial class. This is illustrated in a quote by a Meiji businessman "(Business) is the determination to work for the sake of society and mankind as well as for the future of the nation, even if it means sacrificing oneself".
The Fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate
One of the events that began the Meiji Restoration was the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Widely believed to be a failing government, the Japanese did not believe it would be able to stand up against Western Imperialism. This led to the downfall of the Shogunate and the reinstatement of the Emperor as the leader of Japan. This hoped to preserve Japan as a nation against the West, as well as begin industrialization so to achieve equity with the West. The reformed government was based of the German model, which favoured the government more than the people.
Social Changes
One of the major changes brought on by the Meiji Restoration was abolishing the class system. With one of the goals being "all classes high and low should unite", as well as the people to have the chance to "fulfill their aspirations". Mandatory education was also established to educate Japan's public, another effort to catch up with Western progress.
During the early 20th century, the growing demand for factory labor led to mass urbanization, with many men and women leaving farms for the cities. This urbanization, together with the Meiji political reforms, led to an increasingly politicized population. This led to social welfare and labor laws, including a national health insurance law, child labor laws, and labor mediation laws. This was done in hopes it would prevent the "social diseases" seen in the West, which they feared would lead to a revolution. The government's preemtive strike robbed the people of the opportunity for political action and slowed political development.
During the early 20th century, the growing demand for factory labor led to mass urbanization, with many men and women leaving farms for the cities. This urbanization, together with the Meiji political reforms, led to an increasingly politicized population. This led to social welfare and labor laws, including a national health insurance law, child labor laws, and labor mediation laws. This was done in hopes it would prevent the "social diseases" seen in the West, which they feared would lead to a revolution. The government's preemtive strike robbed the people of the opportunity for political action and slowed political development.
Political Changes
Arguably, the most major changes brought on by the Meiji Restoration were in the political makeup of Japan's government. The Meiji Restoration began with the samurai class rebelling against the Tokugawa Shogunate, returning governing power to the Emperor. This was an effort to strengthen Japan against Western Imperialism. After the return of the Iwakura Mission, Japan's new government was modeled on the German structure, with a strong executive branch and a weak legislative branch. Politicians pushing for a liberal government were forced to resign. The Meiji Restoration was not aimed at creating a democracy, however. Democracy was only seen as a necessary stepping stone on the path of strengthening the Japanese state against the West. The 1st Japanese constitution was written in 1890, was Emperor-centric, with no restrains on the Emperor's powers. The Army and Navy were also independent from civilian control, answering only to the Emperor. This gave the military disproportionate power in government, especially in crises.
A large problem facing the rising Japan was Western racism. Western newspapers had wary responses to the Japanese victory over Russia, leading to a Japanese newspaper owner, Ito Miyoji, to declare to a German friend "If our skins were as white as yours, the whole world would rejoice at our calling a halt to Russia's inexorable aggression". This eventually led to an "us against them" mentality to form in Japan.
A large problem facing the rising Japan was Western racism. Western newspapers had wary responses to the Japanese victory over Russia, leading to a Japanese newspaper owner, Ito Miyoji, to declare to a German friend "If our skins were as white as yours, the whole world would rejoice at our calling a halt to Russia's inexorable aggression". This eventually led to an "us against them" mentality to form in Japan.
Economic Changes
The Meiji era saw a change in Japan's banking systems. The new Bank of Japan offered loans to new businesses, particularly in the textile industry leading to a surge in the growth of Japan's textile industry. Japan's textile industry would soon become the main source of income for the country, the driving force of its economic growth. Land reform was also implemented, allowing peasants to own the land they worked as well as what crops to grow. A new monetary tax system also ended the need to grow rice for payment to their (the peasants) daimyo. Entrepreneurialism was encouraged, as it was believed it would promote industrialization. This is also a significant social change, as Entrepreneurialism was previously frowned on in Japanese society, as it was seen as a mark of the merchant class.
Military Changes
One of the aims of the Meiji Restoration, as summed up in "Rich Country, Strong Army", was to have a Western style military that could prevent Western colonialism. The Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) was seen as a demonstration that these aims were met. Japan viewed Korea as " a dagger pointed at the heart of Japan", Japan wanted Korea free from foreign domination. When China seemed to take a more prominent role in Korea, Japan initiated war. A victory over China showed the tremendous change and sacrifice the Japanese had endured over the last generation. Indemnities won from China also helped spur industry, and Japan gained territorial concessions. The victory over Russia led to a renewed sense of national pride in Japan. Following the Russo-Japanese War, Japan extended its colonial control over Korea.