Japan - Meiji 18th and 19th centuries

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

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

3.  JAPAN’S CLOSED COUNTRY EDICT OF 1635
1. Japanese ships are strictly forbidden to leave for foreign
countries.
2. No Japanese is permitted to go abroad. If there is anyone
who attempts to do so secretly, he must be executed.
3. If any Japanese returns from overseas after residing there,
he must be put to death.
4. If there is any place where the teachings of the [Catholic]
priests is practiced, there must be a thorough investigation.
7. If there are any Barbarians who propagate the teachings of
the priests, or otherwise commit crimes, they may be
incarcerated in the prison. . . .
8. All incoming ships must be carefully searched for the
followers of the priests.
10. Samurai are not permitted to purchase any goods
originating from foreign ships directly from Chinese merchants
in Nagasaki.

4. However,
 The Japanese leadership continued to “watch
and learn” from the “hairy barbarians” of the
West
 The Japanese economy flourished from silver
exports to China.

5. Outside powers threatened Japan
 After the defeat of the Chinese by the
British (1830s) & a growing presence
of European and U.S. warships (1850s)
Japanese leaders “decided” to sign
trade treaties and open Japan to
outsiders.

7. Japan was now open
to outside influences.

8. Tokugawa rulers were overthrown. . .
 The threat from outsiders and a desire
for change unified many provincial
leaders who joined together &
overthrew the Tokugawa rulers, and
began the Meiji period
(or Meiji Restoration)

9. 1860s - 1900s
Japan transformed itself into a
major industrial and military power

10. The Meiji Government
 The emperor was
the “figurehead”
while power was
held by an
oligarchy
(landowners,
businessmen, &
military)

11. Meiji Japan adapts
Western ideas
 Japanese were sent
on study tours of
Europe. Europeans &
Americans were
hired to help
transform Japan.
 In Japan a new
education system
was set up

12.  Japanese
selectively used
Western ideas
and styles while
remaining
politically,
economically, &
culturally
independent

14. JAPANESE
INDUSTRIALIZATION
 Rapid industrialization
took place.
 Railroads were built,
mines expanded, and
urban areas became
more “modern”

16.  Government built a
modern army & navy

17. FROM THIS . . .

18. TO
THIS.

19. Japanese
Imperialism
1860-1914

21.  Japan gained control of Korea &
Taiwan after defeating China.
 Japan defeated Russia to take control
of Manchuria (1905).

23. Comparative Practice
write a thesis paragraph
Analyze the similarities and differences in
Chinese interactions with the West and the
interactions with the West from one of the
following regions from 1800 to 1914.
Ottoman Empire
Oceania
Japan

24. Comparative Practice
write a thesis paragraph
Analyze the similarities and differences in
Chinese contacts with the West and the
contacts with the West from one of the
following regions from 1800 to 1914.
Ottoman Empire
Oceania
Japan

25. Which of the following
statements best
describes the main
political message of this
cartoon?
A. Russia was bigger than
Japan
B. Japan was defeating
Russia in the struggle
for control of parts of
East Asia
C. In WWI, Japan’s Navy
was better than the
Russian Navy
D. France gave military
support to Japan in its
battles against Russia
over territory in Asia

26. JAPAN~
Changes-
• New dynasty – Meiji Period began
• From a Closed economy to
Industrial Power
• From Traditional to Modern –
Culture, Economy, Military
• Isolated nation-state to Imperial
Power

27. CAUSES
• Outside pressure
• Japanese leadership decided
to change – use the West as
a model