The Meiji Restoration began on January 3, 1869 in Japan, ending the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate. Emperor Meiji Mutsuhito was restored as the head of state. During the restoration, Japan's borders were opened to Western influence, the economy was modernized, the military was strengthened, education was improved, and the rigid social structure was eliminated. The goals of the Meiji government were to enrich the country, strengthen the military, pursue civilization and enlightenment, and catch up and overtake the Western powers.

1. Meiji Restoration
Elona MacRae

2. Meiji
Meiji Restoration began 3rd
January,
1869.
Tokugawa Shogun was terminated.
Emperor Meiji Mutsuhito (pictured)
was instated.
Meiji (enlightened rule).
During the Restoration:
Emperor was restored to head of state.
Borders opened to western society.
Modern economy developed.
Military strengthened.
Education improved.
Rigid society eliminated.
Fukoku-kyohei (enrich the country,
strengthen the military).
Bummei-kaika (civilisation and
enlightenment)
Source: http://meijiemperor.net.

3. Restoration of the
Emperor
During the Tokugawa
Shogunate Japan was ruled
out of Edo by bakufu
(military administration).
Oligarchy resorted
Emperor to head of state.
Ōsei-fukko (restoration of
imperial rule).
1868 Emperor Meiji was
moved to Tokyo (former
Edo) (pictured).
Meiji Constitution of 1889
reinforce the Emperors
status.
Source: WG Beasley, The Meiji Restoration, Stanford,
1972, p. x.

4. Borders Opened
During the rule of
Tokugawa Iemitsu (1623-
51) sakoku was issued.
Sakoku (closed country).
Commodore Perry’s arrival
at Edo Bay in 1853 marked
the beginning of kaikoku.
Kaikoku (opening the
country).
Source: http://uk.geocities.com

5. Modern Economy
Oitsuke oikose (catch up (to the west), overtake).
1869, first telegraph system linked Tokyo to
Yokohama.
1873, submarine cable connected Tokyo with Europe.
1871, British style postal system was founded.
1869, railway line opened up connecting Tokyo with
Yokohama.
Government set up a variety of small business to
contribute to growing economy.
Great fortunes, such as Mitsubishi, Mitsui and
Sumitomo, were founded or greatly expanded.

6. Military Strengthened
Japan’s military was very
limited previous to Meiji
Restoration.
Meiji Government invested
large amounts of the
national budget into the
military.
Borrowed naval
technologies form Britain.
Army based on European
models.
Mandatory three years
military service.
Served the government.
Trained to use modern
weaponry.
Source: M Avakian, The Meiji Restoration and the Rise of
Modern Japan, New Jersey, 1991, p.38.

7. Education Improved
People were no longer judged on their wealth or
noble birth but on their ability.
Originally only samurai had adequate
education.
American model of a three-tiered system was
adopted.
Students were sent overseas.
Foreign scholar were brought to Japan.
Public school system was created.
1872, primary education was made compulsory.

8. Rigid Society Eliminated
Social structure of the
Tokugawa Era:
royal family and shogun
ruled
daimyo
samurai
farmers
merchants and artisans
burakumin
indigenous ainu.
Talent was valued over
wealth or decent.
Restrictions on dress
were removed as
Western style was
adopted (pictured).
Source: Avakian, The Meiji Restoration, 1991, p.43.

9. Bibliography
Akamatsu, P, Meiji 1868: Revolution and Counter-Revolution in Japan,
Haper and Row Publishers, New York, 1972.
Avakian, M, The Meiji Restoration and the Rise of Modern Japan, Silver
Burnett Press, New Jersey, 1991.
Beasley, WG, The Meiji Restoration, Stanford University Press, Stanford,
1972.
Danaher, M, Study Guide:HIST 11038, 2008.
Duiker, WJ & JJ Spielvogel, The Essential World History: Volume II, Third
Edition, Thomson Wadsworth, Belmont, 2008.
Hunter, J. E, The Emergence of Modern Japan An Introduction History since
1853, Longman Group UK Limited, Essex, 1991.
Totman, C, A History of Japan, Blackwell Publishing, Melbourne, 2000.

10. Bibliography
Akamatsu, P, Meiji 1868: Revolution and Counter-Revolution in Japan,
Haper and Row Publishers, New York, 1972.
Avakian, M, The Meiji Restoration and the Rise of Modern Japan, Silver
Burnett Press, New Jersey, 1991.
Beasley, WG, The Meiji Restoration, Stanford University Press, Stanford,
1972.
Danaher, M, Study Guide:HIST 11038, 2008.
Duiker, WJ & JJ Spielvogel, The Essential World History: Volume II, Third
Edition, Thomson Wadsworth, Belmont, 2008.
Hunter, J. E, The Emergence of Modern Japan An Introduction History since
1853, Longman Group UK Limited, Essex, 1991.
Totman, C, A History of Japan, Blackwell Publishing, Melbourne, 2000.