The Meiji Period in Japan saw the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate after nearly 300 years due to peasant revolts, high taxes, and the arrival of Commodore Perry from the USA. This led to a civil war and the Meiji Restoration in 1867 which established the imperial rule of 14-year old Prince Mutsuhito and replaced the Shogunate system with a new constitution. Japan then rapidly modernized its military, economy, and society along Western lines which allowed it to grow into a strong regional power, defeating China and Russia in war.

1. Meiji Period

2. End of the Shogunate
• After nearly 300 years the Tokugawa Shogunate
was weakened
– High taxes were needed to support Shoguns and
Samurai
– Peasant revolts
– Arrival of Commodore Perry of USA
– Led to a civil war between Tokugawas and those
loyal to the emperor (Boshin War).

3. Meiji Restoration
• In 1867 14-year-old Prince
Mutsuhito became Japan's 122nd
emperor
• A new era called Meiji
("enlightened rule") was
proclaimed
• Shogunate system was replaced
with an Imperial Constitution
– Loss of privileges for Samurai
– Army was modernised along
Western lines
– Equality of all citizens
– Parliament called the Diet formed
• Some felt Japan had lost its soul
and rebelled

4. A growing power…
• Rapid introduction of machinery for making
goods, steam power, and railways helped
Japan become strong in Asia
– Won the Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895)
– Won the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905)
– Signed an alliance with Britain (1902)