The Meiji Restoration

Meiji Restoration Dates

1868-1912

Social Impacts of I+C: National Identity

subjugated ppl didn’t initially see themselves as a nation w/in a state

• national identity became the glue needed to eventually overturn imperialism

What happens after colonial power withdraws?

arbitrary borders

ethnic (religious, racial) divisions

Acemoglu, Johnson, Robinson (2001)

“Europeans adopted very different colonization strategies, with different associated institutions.”

One extreme: US, Australia, New Zealand

settled in colonies, set up institutions enforcing rule of law and encouraging investment

Other extreme: Congo and Gold Coast

set up extractive sites to transfer resources home, institutions were detrimental to investment and economic progress

Why did Europeans settle in some areas but just extract resources in others?

near equator too hot, too many mosquitos > malaria > death

What was the Meiji Restoration

restoration of emperor following fall of Tokugawa shogun in 1868

Meiji Era saw transformation of Japan

economy, society, politics, international relations

Japan in 1868

agricultural/rural

weak military

little industrialization

feudal (hundreds lords ruling domains)

Japan at Meiji Emperor’s death in 1912

modernized

• highly industrialized

• advanced transportation and communication

• centralized government

• elected parliament

• strong military

Lord Tokugawa ended civil war becoming first Shogun of

Edo Period (1603-1668)

basically military dictator

emperor powerless - reigned but didn’t rule

domestic peace

15 shoguns successively ruled today’s Tokyo

Background to Restoration: Societal Structure

Nobles and Daimyo (landholding lords)

Military class, Samurai

Peasants (taxed 50% rice to pay for samurai)

Chonin (merchants, craftsmen, artisans)

Background to Restoration: Tokugawa foreign policy

Isolationist

• only Dutch could trade from port at Nagasaki

• Some trade w China, Korea, Russia

Decline of Tokugawa Rule

Peasant riot increase tax

Breakdown social hierarchy

• merchant class rose, samurai fell

Rising corruption among officials

and then….

1853 Commodore Perry arrives

Commodore Perry

4 heavily armed ships

• 3 steamships

• USS Mississippi

Left demands and returned w 7 ships

Negotiated for trade

Treaty of Kanagawa (1854)

Japanese agreed to

• 2 coaling ports

• Aid shipwrecked American whalers

• Establish US consulate

  • Townshend Harris 1st US Consul

Harris Treaty (1858)

Treaty of Amity and Commerce

• imposed similar conditions West > China

• Treaty ports protected by Western armies

• Extraterritorial jurisdiction

• Limit Japanese tariffs

Followed by UK, France, Russia

Different responses make Japan major world power while China

experiences “Century of Humiliation”

Fall of Tokugawa

Domestic discontent w Shogunate unleased

• right to rule based on protection of emperor/nation

• influx foreign $ brought rising prices

Meiji Restoration emperor “restored” by

anti-Tokugawa coalition