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Lecture 4: The Meiji Restoration of 1868: Japan's Modern Revolution

The Meiji Restoration of 1868 marked Japan's transition from isolation to modernization. Long-standing economic and social changes had outgrown the political system. When Commodore Perry's ships forcibly opened Japan to trade in 1853, it catalyzed dissent against the ruling Tokugawa shogunate. Reformists debated whether to expel foreigners or open the country. Dissatisfaction grew with the signing of unequal treaties. Young samurai activists promoted combining Western science with Eastern ethics to strengthen Japan. The domains of Choshu and Satsuma rebelled against the shogunate and formed an alliance. In 1866, they defeated the shogunate forces and moved the emperor from Kyoto to Edo, beginning the

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63 views

Lecture 4: The Meiji Restoration of 1868: Japan's Modern Revolution

The Meiji Restoration of 1868 marked Japan's transition from isolation to modernization. Long-standing economic and social changes had outgrown the political system. When Commodore Perry's ships forcibly opened Japan to trade in 1853, it catalyzed dissent against the ruling Tokugawa shogunate. Reformists debated whether to expel foreigners or open the country. Dissatisfaction grew with the signing of unequal treaties. Young samurai activists promoted combining Western science with Eastern ethics to strengthen Japan. The domains of Choshu and Satsuma rebelled against the shogunate and formed an alliance. In 1866, they defeated the shogunate forces and moved the emperor from Kyoto to Edo, beginning the

Uploaded by

TJ Hooker
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Lecture 4: The Meiji Restoration of 1868: Japans Modern Revolution Long range causes Economy and society outgrew

w the political system Class discontent Pax Britannica (1815-1914): the first international system, Opium War (1839-42), Informal Imperialism England becomes the great world power strong navy = maritime power becomes the leader of the international system after the Napoleonic Wars o Pushed Informal Imperial to enter East Asia free trade (only for the economically strong) o Immediate cause: the foreign crisis, Perry Mission (1853) The Bakumatsu Period (1853-1868) o Industrialization now West has great advantage over other parts of the world up until WWI, West controls 80% of the world o Commodore Matthew Perry Sonnor Joi (revere the emperor, expel the barbarian) o Coming of the West galvanizes the discontent in the Tokugawa Period and a society that is ripe/ready for change (brings it to a point of crisis) o Debate: Joi (expel the barbarian) vs. Kaikouku (open the country) Unraveling of the Bakufu Treaty of Kanagawa 1854 allows for opening of two ports and counselor from America (Townsend Harris) Harris Treaty1858 Assassination of Ii Naosuku (1860): a turning point The Young Samurai Activists (shishi) Sakuma Shozan: Eastern ethics and Western science Yoshida Shoin and his disciples The Rise of Choshu and Satsuma Their ability to act Competing strategies: Union of Court and Bakufu vs. expel the barbarian (joi) Alliance 1866: Saigo Takamori, Sakamoto Ryoma Defeat of the Bakufu and moving the Emperor to Edo (Tokyo)

Interpreting the Meiji Restoration

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