1. Tokugawa Foreign Policy
• Tokugawa fought a number of wars against western Christian Lords in
1600s - grew to distrust foreign missionaries
• Expelled missionaries but allowed Dutch merchants a concession at
Nagasaki
• 200 year period of isolation
2.
3.
4. Decline of Tokugawa Shogunate – early 1800s
Declining
agricultural
productivity
Harsh taxes
on peasants
– rebellions
Periodic
crop
failures,
famine,
inflation and
starvation
Samurai and
Daiymo in
debt to
merchants
Rise of
commerce
& city life –
undermined
social
hierarchy
Intellectual
changes:
Shinto and
the Emperor
Rangaku
Failure of
reforms-
Tempo
Fascination
vs fear of
Westerners
5. Situation in USA
• USA won 1847 war with Mexico expanded to Pacific
• New industrial power seeking markets
• Economic interests
• Trade with China
• Whaling
• British and French monopolies on coal stations
• Shipwrecked sailors would be jailed or executed
• Spread Christianity and benefits of Western civilization to backward
peoples
6.
7.
8. Perry’s mission
• Matthew Perry was a successful officer in the
War of 1812 and Mexican-American war and
‘father of the steam navy’
• Sent on presidential mission to Japan
• Arrived at Edo in 1853 – refused to leave -
fired blank shot
• Shogun was ill and was indecisive – Pres.
Filmore’s letter was accepted
• Poll is taken of the Daiymo’s views
• Returned in 1854 - Convention of Kanagawa
signed – all demands agreed to
9. Extract from the letter of President Fillmore delivered by Commodore Perry to the
Emperor of Japan in 1853.
“We know that the ancient laws of your imperial majesty’s government do not allow
of foreign trade… but as the state of the world changes it seems to be wise, from
time to time, to make new laws. …[The American people] think that if your imperial
majesty were so far to change the ancient laws as to allow free trade between the
two countries, it would be extremely beneficial to both.
It sometimes happens, in stormy weather, that one of our ships is wrecked on your
imperial majesty’s shores. In all such cases we ask, and expect, that our unfortunate
people should be treated with kindness… until we can send a vessel and bring them
away.
… we understand that there is an abundance of coal and other provisions in the
Empire of Japan. Our steamships, in crossing the great ocean, burn a great deal of
coal, and it is not convenient to bring it all the way from American. We wish that our
steamships and other vessels should be allowed to stop in Japan and supply
themselves with coal, provisions, and water. ”
10. 1853 Poll of Daiymo
in favor of accepting
the American demands
opposed to the
American demands
vague response
expressing concern of
possible war
advise making
temporary concessions
19. Why did the Tokugawa Shogunate fall?
Perry forces opening
of Japan
Bakufu showed
weakness in
handling
Effects of opening
ports
Political, social
economic changes
Lessons learnt from
the West
Failure of expulsion
policy – awakening
of western clans
Failure of bakufu to
lead
Sonno-joi
movement
developed into anti-
baku-fu movement
Failure of kobu-
gattai, rise of
imperial court
influence
Lacked able leaders
– assasinations
Uprising of Western
Clans: Satsuma,
Choshu etc.
Anti-bakufu alliance
–Victorious in
Boshin War
20. How did Meiji change Japan?
Political & social reforms modelled on West but keeping
Japanese values
New Constitution: Emperor is head of state, advised
by Council and elected Diet
Replaced feudal system with modern prefectures
Abolished class distinctions
Promoted Shinto as unifying state religion
Mandatory public education
Industrial and military reforms drawing on
Western experts
Draftees replace Samurai
Adopts latest military technologies
Railways, mining, modern agriculture
Government departments coordinate and funds
industry
21. Why was Japan able to industrialise so quickly?
Stable
government
High levels of
education
Entrepreneurs
came from all
classes
Removal of
tariffs and
duties
encouraged
trade
Rise of
Zaibatsu
No colonial
exploitation
Access to best
experts
Repression of
unions
