what were the social effects of the meiji restoration what were the social effects of the meiji restoration

Updates? Previously, the children of nobles and samurai were the only ones allowed education by the bakufu, but this was changed to universal and free education. Dissolving of the Shogunate, creation of a constitution, creation of a democratic Diet. It is often described as the time when Japan took 'its first step to the modernization through reformation of the fundamental systems of the nation based on interactions with other countries'. Most of the change occurred during the Meiji period which began in 1868 and lasted until 1912. Japan had a transition that was nicknamed the enlightened era hence it was very prudent that members of the state act in a more intelligent way to allow modernization. The Tokugawa warlord system progressively transformed samurai into what a historian calls "civil servants." The Meiji period saw incredible social transformation. A recognition that Japan needed western technology to prevent itself from being colonized. We've received widespread press coverage since 2003, Your UKEssays purchase is secure and we're rated 4.4/5 on reviews.co.uk. Another reform was in the area of education. Japans economic, political and social stability developed intensely during the Meijis era. Following are the social changes brought about during the period of the Meiji Restoration. After this, the Japanese quickly sent "observers" to the West to understand its culture while copying much of the technology they had missed over the previous centuries: the steamboat, the railroad, guns, and artillery. Copyright 2003 - 2023 - UKEssays is a trading name of Business Bliss Consultants FZE, a company registered in United Arab Emirates. 7 chapters | All rights reserved. One of these major effects of the event was the fact that the previously feudal country was transformed into an empire that was entirely capable of competing with many of the greatest powers of the time. First, the capital was moved from Kyoto to Edo, which became known as Tokyo. In addition, the privileges of the Samurai were declined as other groups such as burakumin had legalized discrimination imposed against them. Western technology was impressive, and the Japanese were eager to copy and match what they had seen in Western cities. Moreover, Japan started to import raw materials which were manufactured into finished products and then were sold to other countries. Members of the ruling samurai class had become concerned about the shogunates ability to protect the country as more Western countries attempted to open Japan after more than two hundred years of virtual isolation. There were three main causes of the Meiji Restoration: First, internal problems in Japan made ruling the country too difficult. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UKEssays.com. The feudal system was decaying, and factions were growing. Among those were: The Meiji period that followed the Restoration was an era of major political, economic, and social change in Japan. The school attendance rate was 80% and the literacy rate was 90%, making Japan the most academically advanced country in the world. Therefore, it called for the former governor or leaders to step down and give way for the new leaders. The new government was very tactical. During the Meiji Restoration, social change was synonymous with modernization and Westernization. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Finally, industrialization became a major focus after seeing Commodore Perry's powerful ships and weapons. Japan and its people did not like this feeling of helplessness. Japan became a modern nation-state. (b) Comit Japonais des Sciences Historiques, Le Japon au XI e Congrs International des Sciences Historiques Stockholm, Tokyo, 1960, pp. The population in the city of Tokyo was distributed evenly. Erin has taught English and History. Finally, Japan allied with Britain against Russia, culminating in Japan's attack at Port Arthur and the destruction of an overconfident Russian fleet coming to save the city in the Battle of Tsushima. Japan increased the number of steamships from 26 in 1873 to 1,514 in 1913 and 18 miles of train track in 1872 to over 7,000 in 1914. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Telegraph When the telegram system first started, many people didnt understand what it was. This was the negative effects of social changes during Meiji Restoration. The reforms enacted . There were radical changes that took place during the Meiji transformation. Separation of Buddhism and Shintoism The main purpose of the policy of separating Shintoism and Buddhism was to change Japans official religion from Buddhism, which was the dominant religion in the Edo Era, to Shintoism. The era involved a complete change to that which had never existed before. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. In addition, the new government carried out policies to unify the monetary and tax systems, with the agricultural tax reform of 1873 providing its primary source of revenue. Horse-drawn carriage (street car) Railroad cars pulled by horses traveled over the railroad tracks. Consequently, western technology was greatly employed by domestic companies to produce highly sophisticated products. First, they had to expand the boarders to allow other traders to interchange their goods with them. Finally, the Japanese began to democratize its people, leading to a nationalistic fervor that combined them into a people and not simply servants of their daimyo. They comprised part of the military, teaching staff, makers of guns and government officials. Also, Japan sent ad hoc ambassadors to the West, like Yukichi Fukuzawa, to analyze, write about, and ultimately mimic the Industrial Revolution powering the West. confiscation. Rickshaw The jinrikisha is a vehicleinvented in Japan, based on the Western horse-drawn carriage. This drastic change in Japanese society and economics led to its role in WWII and its modern place in the world today. View history. No plagiarism, guaranteed! Japan underwent a vast array of changes after the Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Restoration turned a feudalistic Japan into an educated, technological, and expansionistic nation that was intent on conquering Asia. The major challenges that affected the Meijis rule were born by the negative effects of the Shogunate. At first, many supporters of the emperor were also very critical of Western influence. (The school attendance rate in England at that time was 20% and the literacy rate was 10%). Japan's Meiji Restoration of 1868 had many effects on Japan and the world from 1840 to 1920. This resulted to the promulgation of a new charter that was accomplished in 1968. Creation of a well-developed communication system. The Gregorian calendar (solar calendar) was adopted and implemented from January 1, 1873. All feudal class privileges were abolished as well. Many merchants gained financial knowledge that would be used during Meijis period. These effects were brought about by the appreciation of modern technology. Reinstating the emperor legitimized the movement by connecting it to an old tradition that encouraged everyone to unify. A strong national army and navy became a main priority. Though the emperor was considered the highest position in feudal Japan, the shogun and their military establishment kept him from wielding any real power. Although there were emperors of Japan before the Meiji . At the same time, universal education was introduced to Japan. The new governance was formed after the abolition of feudalism. This acted as prerequisite for the excellent learning methods that were employed during the Meijis period. Furthermore, their genuine interest in progress economically also boosted the country in terms of economic development. On the other hand, restoration would mean that these things existed before which is not the case for the Meijis era. By the end of the Meiji Restoration: Japan became a modern nation-state. The system spread nationwide in 1872. These were the Russo-Japanese war and Sino-Japanese war. The attacks by the made the country remained complacent hence its tactics were futile. After the shogunate's power had been removed, it was handed over to the Meiji Emperor to exact certain changes that the Japanese people were beginning to admire in the West. They thought that without modernizing Japan, the country would be colonized. The modernization resulted into Japan being rated as the most developed in the whole of Eastern Asia. It was the first time an Asian nation had beaten a Western power, and everybody took note. It knew the main brainstems of the economy. Registered office: Creative Tower, Fujairah, PO Box 4422, UAE. Disgruntled samurai participated in several rebellions against the government, the most famous being led by the former restoration hero Saig Takamori of Satsuma. This led to production and manufacturing of more sophisticated goods that fitted in the modern revolution. All along, the Meiji Restoration used a combination of Japanese tradition and new Western ideas to transform the country. They gained fame for this all over the Pacific area. Decent Essays. This was seen in different sectors of the government. Wholesale land reform has costs and inequities that make righting South Africa's central injustice through such a process inappropriate. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. The Meiji Restoration completely transformed Japan by modernizing the country. The Meiji era (, Meiji jidai, Japanese pronunciation: [me(d)i]) is an era of Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868 to July 30, 1912. Additionally, the feudal system increasingly weakened, England and other western countries were engaging with China, which also affected Japan, and many in Japan were tired of the class system. These were finally sold to international markets and enhanced trade across borders. This led to the Boshin War. The emperor was mostly involved in governance issues such as administration and organization of the cabinet. The Meiji Restoration replaced the Tokugawa shogunate and reinstated the emperor. Largely the handiwork of thegenro(elder statesman)It Hirobumi, the constitution established a bicameral parliament, called the Dietin full Imperial Diet (Teikoku Gikai)that was to be elected through a limited voting franchise. This change included major transition in the military, foreign relations, economy, social structure and internal politics. One more major purpose for the formation of new government was to search for international knowledge that would be helpful in strengthening the rule of imperialism. The first Diet was convened the following year, in 1890. Free resources to assist you with your university studies! The Japanese had no weapons to match the American firepower, so they had to agree with Perry's demand. The Meiji Restoration was a coup dtat that resulted in the dissolution of Japans feudal system of government and the restoration of the imperial system. The labor force in Japan was mainly unskilled and did not recognize the new technologies. As the Japanese modernized and formed a national identity, the ideas of Bunmei Kaika (civilization and enlightenment) and Fukoku Kohei (enrich the country and protect the military) combined with the newly created Meiji Constitution to shape Japan into a strong, militaristic country. The emperor, at the time, was a figurehead. You know, like old cars polished and souped-up to look like new again. Japans first Ministry of Education was established in 1871 to develop a national system of education; it led to the promulgation of the Gakusei, or Education System Order, in 1872 and to the introduction of universal education in the country, which initially put emphasis on Western learning. The Meiji regime had a well established administration that included a prime minister. The brief Boshin War, from 1868-1869, pitted shogunate-supporting samurai against a smaller group of breakaway provinces that were armed with rifles and other weapons. A military dictator, or shogun, ruled over everyone. Most scholars, however, insisted that it was left to Japan to decide at the time of . Boxer Rebellion in China | Causes, Summary & Significance, Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan | History, Culture & Unification. [] Japan then expanded its operations into the First Sino-Japanese War, invading Korea and neighboring Chinese areas in the 1890s, which quickly developed into their invasion of Manchuria, where it would remain a Japanese possession for 50 years. Moreover, some members who were supporters of daimyo were accepted in the new government and were reappointed as leaders. Universal education and industrialization helped build an educated populace with better transportation and communication technology. Omissions? Establishment of a rapidly growing industrial sector based on the latest technology. Towards the end of the 19th century, Japan was copying the imperialism that it saw in other Western countries. More narrowly, was the character of Meiji institutions determined by the social composition of the anti-Tokugawa movement, or did it derive from a situation that took shape only after the Bakufu was overthrown? Also in 1871 a national army was formed, which was further strengthened two years later by a universal conscription law. Therefore, a revolution was started that was geared to more of advancement and revolution. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. It was later converted into a train transportation system. Causes of the Meiji Restoration. This called for a more technical force that would deal with the different forms of technology (Ebrey 550).