Background and Causes of the Meiji Restoration (1868)
- By the mid-19th century, Japan was isolated under the Tokugawa Shogunate, which limited contact with the outside world.
- The arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry (1853) forced Japan to open its ports through unequal treaties, exposing its weakness.
- Samurai and reformist leaders realized Japan had to modernize to avoid foreign domination like China.
- The slogan “Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians” united people who wanted to restore imperial authority and resist Western pressure.
- Internal problems such as economic hardship, corruption, and discontent among the samurai weakened Tokugawa control.
Definition
Tokugawa Shogunate
- Military government that unified Japan and ruled for over 250 years.
Definition
Modernize
- to adopt new systems, technologies, or ideas to improve a nation’s strength and efficiency.
Case study
Fall of the Tokugawa and Rise of the Meiji Leaders
Fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate
- The Boshin War (1868–1869) broke out between shogunate loyalists and supporters of imperial restoration.
- The shogunate’s defeat at battles like Toba–Fushimi allowed reformers to take control.
- Domains such as Satsuma and Choshu allied to support the emperor and lead the new government.
- The Tokugawa clan surrendered peacefully, marking the end of 250 years of military rule.
Rise of the Meiji Oligarchs
- Young samurai from Satsuma and Choshu became the Meiji leaders, guiding modernization.
- The new government pledged to create a strong, rich, and civilized Japan (fukoku kyōhei).
- They abolished feudal domains and replaced them with prefectures under central control.
- The emperor was restored as a symbol of unity and modernization, combining traditional respect with reformist policies.
The Meiji Constitution (1889)
- The Meiji Constitution, issued in 1889, was Japan’s first written constitution.
- It aimed to balance Western political systems with Japanese traditions of imperial authority.
- The emperor was declared sacred and inviolable, holding supreme command over the military.
- The Imperial Diet was created with two houses: the House of Peers (nobles) and the House of Representatives (elected officials).
- Citizens had limited rights, and suffrage was restricted to wealthy male property owners.
Definition
Constitution
- a set of principles that defines how a country is governed.
Definition
Suffrage
- The right to vote in political elections.
Case study
The Meiji Constitution in Action
Structure and Purpose
- Modeled partly on Prussia’s constitution, emphasizing order and loyalty.
- The emperor remained the ultimate source of power, above the government and military.
- The cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, was responsible to the emperor, not to the parliament.
- The Diet had limited influence but gave Japan the image of a modern constitutional state.
Impact and Legacy
- The constitution helped Japan gain international respect, ending the era of unequal treaties.
- It strengthened nationalism by linking modernization with loyalty to the emperor.
- Over time, the military used imperial authority to justify expanding power in politics.
- The system provided stability but lacked democratic accountability, which later contributed to militarism in the 1930s.
Significance of the Meiji Restoration and Constitution
- The Meiji Restoration transformed Japan from a feudal society into a modern, industrial state.
- Japan successfully combined Western technology with traditional culture to strengthen national identity.
- The new constitution established a legal foundation for Japan’s modernization.
- The emperor became both a symbol of tradition and a tool for reform, uniting old and new Japan.
- These reforms set Japan on a path to become a major world power by the early 20th century.
Definition
Feudal
- a system where land is controlled by lords in exchange for loyalty or service.
Definition
Industrialization
- the process of developing factories, technology, and large-scale production.
Common Mistake
- Students often confuse the Meiji Restoration (1868) with the Meiji Constitution (1889). They were 20 years apart.
- Many assume the constitution made Japan fully democratic, but real power stayed with the emperor and oligarchs.
- Some forget that foreign pressure, not only domestic unrest, was the main cause of reform.
Exam technique
- Use cause → reform → outcome structure when writing about Japan’s modernization.
- Refer to key slogans (like fukoku kyōhei or “Revere the Emperor”) to show understanding of motivation and ideology.
Theory of Knowledge
- Can modernization succeed without democracy?
- How does a society balance tradition and change when building new political systems?
Self review
- To what extent were foreign pressures responsible for the Meiji Restoration?
- Assess the significance of the Meiji Constitution in shaping Japan’s modernization.
- Compare the political and social goals of the Meiji Restoration and the Meiji Constitution.
