Meiji japan overview

1. A Brief Look at Japan in the 1800s A Brief Look at Japan in the 1800s
to 1900sto 1900s

2. Do you remember?Do you remember?
Under the Tokugawa Under the Tokugawa
Emperor, the Japanese Emperor, the Japanese
shoguns had chosen a shoguns had chosen a
policy of isolationism in policy of isolationism in
the early 1600s. the early 1600s.
Foreigners were Foreigners were
prohibited to enter prohibited to enter
Japan and the Japanese Japan and the Japanese
were “prohibited” from were “prohibited” from
leaving.leaving.

4. Outside powers threatenOutside powers threaten
After the defeat of the Chinese by After the defeat of the Chinese by
the British in the Opium war and with the British in the Opium war and with
the growing presence of European and the growing presence of European and
U.S. warships (1850s) Japanese U.S. warships (1850s) Japanese
leaders “decided” to sign trade leaders “decided” to sign trade
treaties and open Japan to outsiders.treaties and open Japan to outsiders.

5. Japan was now open Japan was now open
to outside influences.to outside influences.

6. Japanese Government overthrownJapanese Government overthrown
The threat from outsiders and a The threat from outsiders and a
desire for a new direction unified desire for a new direction unified
many Japanese leaders against the many Japanese leaders against the
Tokugawa rulers.Tokugawa rulers.
Powerful provincial leaders joined Powerful provincial leaders joined
together to overthrow the Tokugawa together to overthrow the Tokugawa
rulers, and began the rulers, and began the Meiji periodMeiji period..

7. 1860s - 1900s 1860s - 1900s
Japan transformed itself into a Japan transformed itself into a
major industrial and military powermajor industrial and military power

8. The Meiji GovernmentThe Meiji Government
The emperor of the The emperor of the
Meiji period was Meiji period was
the figurehead of the figurehead of
the government in the government in
which power was which power was
held by the held by the
wealthy wealthy
landowners and landowners and
businessmen in businessmen in
congress and in the congress and in the
military military
(oligarchy).(oligarchy).

9. Meiji Japan adapts Meiji Japan adapts
Western ideasWestern ideas
Japanese were sent on Japanese were sent on
study tours throughout study tours throughout
Europe to learn and Europe to learn and
adapt ideas, adapt ideas,
institutions, and institutions, and
techniques. Europeans techniques. Europeans
and Americans were and Americans were
hired to help transform hired to help transform
Japan.Japan.
New education system New education system
was set upwas set up

10. Meiji Japan transforms itselfMeiji Japan transforms itself
Modern army and navy Modern army and navy
were based on were based on
European models.European models.

12. JAPAN transformedJAPAN transformed
Rapid industrialization Rapid industrialization
took place (with a mix took place (with a mix
of government control of government control
and private and private
ownership).ownership).
Railroads were built Railroads were built
and urban areas and urban areas
became more became more
“modern”“modern”

14. Japanese ImperialismJapanese Imperialism
Japan forced Korea to open its ports Japan forced Korea to open its ports
to Japanese goods and eventually to Japanese goods and eventually
annexed it.annexed it.
Victory in a 6 month war with China Victory in a 6 month war with China
gave Japan control of Taiwan (1894)gave Japan control of Taiwan (1894)
Victory in a war with Russia gave Victory in a war with Russia gave
Japan control of Manchuria (1905).Japan control of Manchuria (1905).

16. Japanese Japanese
Imperialism Imperialism
1860-19141860-1914