Stephen+Chun


 * Stephen Chun**
 * Period 8**
 * 4/20/12**
 * Topic: To what extent did Japan's interactions with the West, contribute to the formation of the Meiji Restoration?**


 * A) Plan of Investigation **

The question of this investigation is, **To what extent did Japan's interactions with the West, contribute to the formation of the Meiji Restoration?** I will answer this question by examining various sources I have collected including the Meiji Constitution. Then I will compare the reforms Japan made, with that of Western ideals and will analyze the effects of Japan’s interaction with Western powers. The sources I have used, have been evaluated based on their origin, purpose, value, and limitations.


 * B) Summary of Evidence **


 * Japan Wanted to Become Powerful Again **

I:__Japan Needed to Change__ ◦ “The nation was a militarily weak country, was primarily agricultural, and had little technological development. It was controlled by hundreds of semi-independent feudal lords.” 1 ◦ Japan was forced to sign treaties with Western powers that labeled Japan as a “lesser nation”, “These treaties granted the Westerners one-sided economical and legal advantages in Japan.” 2 ◦ Split rule meant split military, in order for Japan to have the ability to defend itself, it needed a unified army, “The armies of each domain were disbanded, and a national army based on universal conscription was created in 1872, requiring three years' military service from all men, samurai and commoner alike.” 3

II:__Reforms influenced by Western Ideals__ ◦ “Japan's success in modernization has created great interest in why and how it was able to adopt Western political, social, and economic institutions in so short a time.” 4 ◦ There was a civil rights movement in the early stages of the restoration, which was influenced by western ideals, in which many people in Japan wanted a constitution as well as equal rights, “Responding to these pressures, the government issued a statement in 1881 promising a constitution by 1890. In 1885 a Cabinet system was formed... in 1889 the constitution, presented as a gift from the emperor to the people, was officially promulgated. It established a bicameral parliament [diet], to be elected through a limited voting franchise.” 5 ◦ Japan also wanted to replace their education system, so it [education system], was reformed after the French and later after the German system. Among those reforms was the introduction of compulsory education.” 6 ◦ Japan’s feudal system, restricted many citizens choice of profession due to their status in society. “The abolition of feudalism made possible tremendous social and political changes. Millions of people were suddenly free to choose their occupation and move about without restrictions.” 7

n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. < [] japanworkbook/modernhist/meiji.html>.
 * C) Evaluation of Sources **
 * "Japan Answers the Challenge of the Western World." Columbia University. N.p.,

This source originated from an online history textbook of the East Asia Curriculum project, the textbook is used by the University of Columbia and its information is distributed and shared throughout its student body. The purpose of this text is to explain how Japan entered the Meiji period and what factors influenced their decision. It also compares and contrasts the Meiji reforms with those of western ones and has the entire Meiji constitution translated in English. This source is so far the best one I’ve used, it covers many aspects of my topic while also providing great detail into each section. Also the fully translated Meiji Constitution can be used as a strong aspect of support. However, a lack of a specific author could bring some speculation about its reliability.


 * "Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)." Japan Guide. N.p., 9 June 2002. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. < __http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2130.html>.__

This source was taken from the Japan Guide website. It is primarily used as a tourist site but provides excellent information. No author is given but the source does list a work cited page on the bottom. The purpose of this source is to inform the reader about Japan’s Meiji period and what western countries the reforms were based off of. This source is overall helpful but the lack of any mentioned author and that the source is a little outdated, brings the credibility into question.


 * D) Analysis **

For over 250 years, Japan had been ruled under the authority of the Tokugawa and its feudal system 8. Japan had very few relationships with the outside world, only Dutch ships and a few other vessels were allowed in Japan, mainly just for trading 9. Even though Japan was very reclusive in nature, it would not save them from an inevitable clash with the west. By 1868, the United States and various European powers had invaded and defeated Japan, forcing the Japanese to sign treaties and agreements that would benefit the Western powers 10. The Western powers deemed Japan unfit to rule itself due to the nation being behind both technologically and socially, this resulted in Japan losing their independence. One of the main influences of the West’s thinking was Japan’s lack of Western like reforms/rules. Japan realized that in order to regain its independence from the West, it must be open to western reforms. Thus began the Meiji Restoration.

First Japan decided to totally eradicate its feudal system, “Samurai and nobles all, they abolished the class and status systems and disbanded the feudal domains... commitment was simply to national strength, regardless of what customs or ideologies had to be violated in the pursuit of that goal.” 11. Now that the old system was abolished, people were no longer bonded by social status and were free to follow any occupation they desired, “By providing a new environment of political and financial security, the government made possible investment in new industries and technologies.” 12. To further fortify the idea of national strength, “Universal conscription was introduced, and a new army modeled after the Prussian force, and a navy after the British one were established.” 13 Though Japan for many years was reclusive, shortly after the Meiji Restoration began, Japan opened up to the world, Japanese students were sent abroad to study western sciences and foreign experts were sent to Japan to educate the rest of the public. 14

Not surprisingly, the Meiji government then imposed social changes such as the integration of Western hairstyles and clothes within the public. Traditional customs that had been practiced for hundreds of years were forbidden, such as Samurai’s right to carry swords, and the unequal distribution of power. 15 this infuriated many Japanese who still lived in the “Old” ways and various rebellions sparked throughout Japan. Many of these rebellions were put down fairly quickly but still posed a threat to Japan’s fragile state. One of the most notable rebellions was the Satsuma rebellion led by Saigo, one of the last remaining Samurais. The rebellion was crushed within a short amount of time but resulted in heavy losses from the imperial army and the total extermination of the Samurai ruling class 16. These rebellions however did not slow down the process of restoration; Japan did not have time to mourn for they needed to modernize as soon as possible.

A new education system was soon in place, which was based on the French and later the German systems 17. Then in 1889, the emperor presented a constitution which was similar to that of the European constitutions, and to further develop the country politically, Japan “established a bicameral parliament, called the[|**Diet**] (//gikai//), to be elected through a limited voting franchise. The first Diet was convened the following year, 1890.” This style of government was modeled off of British and American systems... 18

Though it is true that Japan’s need for modernization was a major influence for the Meiji Restoration, the biggest influence was Japan’s interactions with the West. If it had not been for the West’s invasion of Japan, Japan would have seen no need to reform. When the west invaded and controlled Japan, the only way that Japan could be free was by embracing Western ideals and customs. So Japan opened its doors to the rest of the world and began to develop rapidly. Almost every reform created was influenced heavily upon Western ideals and in the end, and customs of the old Japan were quickly swept away. However, Japan benefited greatly from this exchange of cultures.
 * E) Conclusion **

By 1912 Japan had: · A highly centralized, bureaucratic government · A constitution establishing an elected parliament · A well-developed transport and communication system · A highly educated population, free of feudal class restrictions · An established and rapidly growing industrial sector based on the latest technology · A powerful army and navy 19.

Japan’s incredible transformation was a product of hard work, great leadership, and national unity, but though a need for modernization was a driving factor in the creation of the Meiji Restoration, it was Japan’s interactions with the West that became its catalyst and main influence.


 * Endnotes **
 * Endnotes **

1 "Japan Answers the Challenge of the Western World." Columbia University. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. 2 "Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)." Japan Guide. N.p., 9 June 2002. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. 3 Columbia University 4 ibid 5 "Meiji Restoration." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,2012. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. 6 Japan guide 7 Columbia University 8 Huffman, James. "The Meiji Restoration Era, 1868-1889." //About Japan: A Teacher's Resource//. Japan Society, 21 Apr. 2008. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. 9 ibid 10 Columbia University 11 Huffman 12 Columbia University 13 Japan guide 14 ibid 15 Huffman 16 Flower, Alan. "The Satsuma Rebellion and the Battle of Shiroyama: The true story of the real Last Samurai." //History and the Sock Merchant//. Blogspot, n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2012. 17 Japan guide 18 Meiji Restoration 19 Columbia University