The Nature and Characteristics of the Meiji Modernization
The samurai leaders, mainly Satsuma and Choshu men’ who engineered and
led the Meiji Restoration had no pre-conceived program of social and
economic reforms in mind - i.e. the developments in the post-1868
period were not planned before the Restoration. The Meiji Restoration
(1868) was essentially a political samurai movement aiming at the
destruction of the Shogun’s power so as to effect a new national unity
in resistance to western encroachment. After the restoration, the task
of national defence fell on that group of men who now dominated the
government (the Meiji oligarchy). If they failed in resisting the
western challenge, then, they might be attacked by their enemies as
they themselves had attacked the shogun in the Bakumatsu period
(1853-1868). Thus, the new oligarchy devoted all their efforts -
‘Rich Country and a Strong Army’ (Fukoku Kyohei). Subsequently, all
developments - political, economic, social, educational, military -
were directed to this specif...
Japanese revolts ensue with the opening of Japan to the Western World. The middle and lower classes wanted Japan to be open while the conservative daimyo did not. Both of these groups looked to the emperor for a decision. The shogunate, reliant on the isolation, collapsed under pressures caused by outsid...
Sean Lee. Ignoring the institution of slavery, look at the social change between 1815-1860, How did the US change socially and for what reason?
At the beginning of the seventeenth century, Tokugawa Ieyasu set up a government in Edo (now Tokyo) and the Edo period began. The Tokugawa regime adopted an isolationist policy that lasted for more than 200 years, cutting off exchange with all countries except China and the Netherlands. The age of the Samurai came to an end with the Meiji Restoration of 1868, and a new system of government centered on the Emperor was set up. The new government promoted modernization, adopted Western political, social and economic systems, and stimulated industrial activity. The Diet was inaugurated, and the people began to enjoy limited participation in politics. From around 1920 a democratic movement gained strength.
The Tokugawa period, also known as Edo period (1603-1867), was the final period of traditional Japan that lasted for more than 250 years (britannica.com,2013). The period was a time of internal peace, political stability, and economic growth under the Shogunate founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Tokugawa Shoguns maintained strict control over the structure of society by keeping a firm control over what they were allowed to do and what they were not allowed to do.
China hasn’t operated with an aristocratic social group since the Han Dynasty (Global Security). The equality that was encouraged during the communist regime blocked the development of an elitist culture within China. However, communism is being glossed over in favor of capitalism, Chinese aristocrats, powered by the recent boom of the economy, are on the rise. China lacks a long established aristocratic culture due to it’s communist past, and as a result, its nouveau riche look elsewhere for examples of elitist culture. Compared to China’s nouveau riche, who are not from traditionally wealthy families, long established European elitist cultures, or the “old money”, are prestigious. These upper classes, such as the Victorian high class of the 1800s are seen as prestigious because of their strict social conduct and total control of society and politics (Bayley). The acceptance of China’s nouveau riche among these long established elite “old rich” cultures requires emulation of the cultural and social norms. “The realities of the Victorian age are seen to be with significant historical resonance to China’s modernization process” (Li). The Victorian era holds the perfect stanford of taste for Chinese aristocrats. For Chinese nouveau riche women, emulation of 19th century Victorian Era elitist culture is the ultimate show of status, through patterns of consumerism, appreciation of Western art, and focus on classic etiquette.
...c economic system. Furthermore, there were political changes occurring during this era. The concept of the state coupled with the idea of sovereignty further enhanced the growth of modern states. These economic and political contributions brought about the rise of the modern European states.
During the time period 1450 to 1750, the world went through major changes and developments. Nomadic power declined, and European Kingdoms became world powers. A world trade network was set up as contact amongst nations increased immensely. A population boom occurred throughout the world. Many civilizations that were once isolated were brought into the world economy.
"Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt (Roosevelt 1).
education, as it was likely to bring up lots of conflict, so it had to
In conclusion all these events in history drastically changed the way people view the world and what people believed in. In this essay we have talked about the causes and the similarities of the historical events that lead to the world as we know
In States vs. Markets, Herman Schwartz presents two economic development strategies that have been employed by late industrial developers in order to either take advantage of existing comparative advantages or facilitate rapid industrial growth through state intervention and provision in order to gain a competitive foothold in world markets. Schwartz demonstrates how China was able to employ elements of these development strategies to generate capital from an abundant rural labour supply in order to pursue industrial development and attract foreign investment through economic reform starting in the late 1970's.
Liberal Reform 1906-1914 The huge scale of the Liberal party's victory in the 1906 general election guaranteed many new faces among the ranks of Liberal MPs, in favour of change in the field of social welfare. Between the years 1906 and 1914, the Liberals took steps to improve the health standards and the living and working conditions of the lower class. The main areas of people new legislation was targeted on was the working class under risk of poverty due to sickness or unemployment, their children and old age pensioners.
Though it seems that it was the Western influence that set off this revolutionary change, a more scrutinizing look into Japanese society at the time reveals that Japan was in fact on the brink of supplanting the fixed, hierarchical Tokugawa order for one that was better suited for its fast evolving, capitalistic society. As historian David Lu states, “Our people began to discover [modern civilization’s] utility and gradually and yet actively moved towards its acceptance. However, there was an old fashioned and bloated government that stood in the way of progress.” (Lu, 351). Therefore in a way we can view the intrusion of Western powers in Japan on that infamous July day in 1853 as an event that occurred during a time when Japan was ready for a world renewal, and not a direct and complete cause of modernization of Japan; in fact it was Japan’s revaluation of modernization and what it meant to be Japanese amidst strong western influences that eventually ...
Although the Manchus in China and the Tokugawa in Japan during the 17th and 18th centuries consolidated power into a central authority differently, their reasons for doing so were relatively similar, both being due to a certain internal conflict and their location relative to other empires.
...high power status, Japan had to have a self-reliant industrial common ground and be able to move all human and material resources (S,195). Through the Shogun Revolution of 1868, the abolition of Feudalism in 1871, the activation of the national army in 1873, and the assembly of parliament in 1889, the political system of Japan became westernized (Q,3). Local Labor and commercial assistance from the United States and Europe allowed Japan’s industry to bloom into a developed, modern, industrial nation (Q,3). As a consequence production surplus, and food shortage followed (Q,3). Because of how much it relied on aid of western powers, Japan’s strategic position became especially weak. In an attempt to break off slightly from the aid of the west Japanese leaders believed that it would be essential for Japan to expand beyond its borders to obtain necessary raw materials.