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Changes in the Meiji Restoration - Coggle Diagram
Changes in the Meiji Restoration
Social Systems
Class Structure
Citizens now had the freedom to move wherever they wanted
Citizens could live wherever they wanted
There wasn't really any class structure
Rules
It was mandatory for all children to go to elementary school
They thought this would help them become a better country if all their citizens had some education
Equality
Elementary was now free for everyone
Women were given the same rights as men
They still had to stay at home and take care of the children
Women got paid the same as men
Women could choose their occupation
Women could own property
In 1946, they could vote
Change in societal roles
Daimyo
Didn't get 'allowance', they just got some money and had to earn the rest,
Farmers
Farmers could now own their land, but they had to pay 3% land tax. If they couldn't pay the tax, they sold the land to wealthier farmers and payed as tenants.
Samurai
Not as important, didn't get as much money. They weren't allowed to wear their formal gear or their sword.
They became more like commoners. They could be farmers, merchants, tradespeople, or have their own businesses.
Commoners
They could move up. They could have last names. They had to now pay tax.
Peasants
They went home and shared what they learned with their family
Political Systems
Government
Japan had planned to have an oligarchy government. They slowly moved towards a constitutional government.
Rulership
Meiji became the emperor when he was 14 years old.
He was a symbol of unity.
"Emperor of Enlightened Rule"
Goals of Government
Charter Oath and Constitution held their goals for the new government.
They wanted to make the economy grow, and modernize Japan.
They wanted to renegotiate the unequal treaties made before.
The new government wanted to maintain their culture but also become a competition country.
Europe and North America were models that the samurai looked to for a modern system of government.
They now welcomed the foreigners they once despised.
Rebellions
Chosu, Satsuma, Tosa, Saga and the samurai didn't support the shogun
Economic Systems
Treaties
Their goal was to renegotiate unequal treaties
They failed
Unequal treaties were with Russia, Britain, France, and the Netherlands.
Trade
Only the Dutch were allowed to trade with Japan.
And later with the Americans
Eventually everyone was allowed to trade with Japan.
External Pressure
The world's economy was being run by trade
Russia was going to the northern islands,
Japan took over Hokkaido, harming the Ainu poeple
Other countries pretended to be Dutch so they could trade with Japan (they were the only nation allowed)
Taxation
Lower classes were now recognized, but they had to pay taxes.
Culture
Religion
Oligarchy wanted national religion to be Shinto
Schools were teaching Confucianism
Military was teaching Bushido
Eventually there was freedom of religion
Differing Perspectives
Japan should open barriers and welcome westerners
At some point they would open their doors to westerners. So why not just so it now.
They wanted to preserve their culture still
To be a competition country and stay independent, they needed western technologies
Japan should stay isolated and fight invaders
Japan should declare war and kill barbarians.
Didn't want common citizens to be exposed to western ways and ideas.
Westernization
The Harris Treaty gave Japan ships, arms, and technicians.
This helped Japan modernize because now they had newer technology.
Ideas and Knowledge
Changes in ideas about class/social roles
The class structure was not strict, and people could move to different classes. They could choose what they wanted to do, or know what they were good at.
Their 'class' depended on what they were good at and what they liked doing. They were no longer born into their class.
Contact With Others
Japan welcoming foreigners
Japan wanted to become a competition country
they couldn't do that if they didn't have contact
Japan realized that they were going to end up trading with foreigners sooner or later
To stay independent, Japan needed western technology
Japan still wanted to protect and preserve their culture even if they were going to let "barbarians" in
China
China lost a war to Britain in 1842. This gave away many of China's rights. Japan was very surprised because they saw China as a very powerful country. They now realized how much more powerful western countries were becoming
Russia
The Russians introduced their culture and Christianity to the Ainu. In 1868, the Russians were forced out of the islands because the Bafuku did not want to lose them. When Russia got involved in wars with Europe, they stopped trading in that area.
USA
The Harris Treaty allowed Americans to live in Japan. This also meant the US could set up coal stations and have 5 ports. They agreed to give Japan ships, arms, and technicians.
Britain
Britain won a war against China. The First Opium War. They forced Japan to sign an unfair treaty that gave them special rights and privileges.
Iwakura Mission
The Iwakura Mission was a 22 month trip where 100 officials and students went to 12 different countries to collect the best ideas and bring them back to Japan.
VOCABULARY
Nationalism
Pride in country and unifies and societal identity.
Oligarchy
Rule by a wealthy and powerful group of people (not democratic)
Meiji
Japanese Era from 1868-1912
Centralized government
One person or small group in charge of the country
Reformation
Restructure society
Ainu
Self sufficient hunters and fishers. Japan's Indigenous people.
Treaties
Signed trade deals with westerners (Europeans countries and the US)
Sonno Joi
Revere the Emperor, expel the barbarians (they wanted to give the emperor back more power, and have the idea of expelling barbarians)
Sovereignty
National independence
Commodore Perry
Joined the navy, proposed the plan to negotiate a trade treaty with Japan. Instrumental in ending Japan's isolation
Constitution Charter Oath
Outlined goals for the new government. Changed 3 elements of worldview: political, economic, social systems and culture.
Iwakura Mission
22 month trip where 100 officials and students went to 12 different countries to collect the best ideas and bring them back to Japan.
Modernization
New technologies, and newer ways of doing things
Imperial ruler/inviolable
The emperor was sacred and not injured
Geography
Trading Ports
5 trading ports were opened for the US after the Harris Treaty was signed.
Industrialization
The government had businesses they owned and have to private owners within 10 years.
New factories like gunpowder, munitions, silk and textile, glass and chemical plants.
