Meiji Restoration In Japan example essay topic

In 1868, The Meiji Restoration in Japan begins as the Emperor Meiji oversees an era of rapid modernization, creates a conscript army, and abolishes the samurai-class ranking which has defined order in Japan since the 1600's. Education is reformed, a constitution is created; a parliament established. Victory in wars with Russia and China will begin the dominant period of Japanese nationalism and influence leading to World War II. Japan in modern times is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. This "modern" image that Japan hasn't been around forever, Japans decision to change from an old traditional country to a westernized one came in 1868, and it took only 50 years for the improvements to be made. In order to successfully modernise Japan had to make several sacrifices, risks and well planned out strategies.

These developments can be explained in 5 areas: the Meiji Restoration, Government, Industrialisation, Education and Armed Forces. With the installment of the 'enlightened rule' or the Meiji restoration, Japan emerged from the world of the past into the world of the present. The young Emperor was a fifteen-year-old boy, but he was fortunate in having as advisors a course of the new Japan. Working enthusiastically, they brought about a relatively amalgamation of eastern and western cultures most of these ministers came from the samurai class and had been reared in the warrior tradition of responsibility and leadership.

Some, who now pushed for the adoption of western methods, had fought for the expulsion of the foreigners in their effort to destroy the Tokugawa Shogunate and restore the Emperor. Now realizing that Japan must play an international role in the world, they were united in looking towards the West. They hoped to adapt western ideas while retaining the values of the East. Government stability was crucial to this objective.

In 1873 a new tax system provided a secure revenue base and abolished the feudal land system. In 1877 the conscript army defeated a major samurai revolt led by Sai go Taka mori, a leading figure in the imperial restoration. Inflation reduced the value of government revenues, and between 1881 and 1885 a rigorous deflation policy initiated by Matsasukata Masa yoshi stabilized the currency. The incredible speed of adaptation shown by the change in systems allowed the Restoration to go smoother and faster, it gave the people incentives to work towards a greater Japan, especially when all classes were equal. The young Meiji government worked hard to balance production for domestic use as well as for export. Protection for native industries was a prime consideration, but the new internationalists understood the necessity for an accelerated industrial revolution in Japan.

They were quick to adopt western methods in heavy industries and in the processing of textiles. The foundations for some of the great fortunes of Japan were laid in the early Meiji period, when the government, after nationalizing and developing such industries as shipbuilding, mining, railroads, electricity and silk and cotton mills, sold them to merchant contractors, who operated them as independent enterprises. Education was essential to the modernization of Japan, she knew that she would need many more workers in the future and increased emphasis on education. Beginning with 40 percent male and 15 percent female literacy, the Meiji government required primary education for all children and established (1872) a centralised school system. Education was made compulsory and, by the end of the Meiji period, attendance in schools stood at ninety-eight per cent. The armed forces were an important part to make the change to a modernise d Japan as swift as possible: She needed resources to industrialist, and fast.

So Japan took a huge interest in Korea, and showed a great military superiority against China in the Sino-Japanese war in 1894-95 and secured control of Korea. The victory added to Japanese prestige and in 1902 concluded an alliance with Britain. In 1904-05, Japan and Russia fought over Manchuria and Korea. Victorious in this Russo-Japanese War, she had proven to the world that she was capable of beating large foes such as Russia. The armed forces were used not only for resources, but also for democracy and reputation of her country.

The modernization of Japan was only possible in 50 years because of careful and clever planning by the visions that the emperor's advisors had towards a greater Japan, the government and smart propaganda making the people want to modernise, the education being forced upon the Japanese, teaching them of western ways and English, the industrialisation, they had to squeeze every ounce of money and effort out of the government and the people in order to succeed, all coming at the price of the unhappiness and atrocious working conditions and finally, the armed forces, a great asset of Japan, helped to prove to the world that their modernization had succeeded, their guns were far superior to China's and even better than Russia's. EXIT During Meiji Rule Japan modernized with great speed, this meant that the Meiji Restoration was a huge success. Over the years the economy would flourish under the rule of the Tokugawa. And this had given the Japanese experience in learning from foreigners, which they would use with the Chinese. In conclusion the Japanese would flourish under the Meiji rule but by the late 1890's they would be at competition building an empire of their own.