Meiji Restoration Preview Terms

Feudalism

Political organization. Vassal served a lord and received protection and land in return.

Shogunate

Military leader and de facto ruler of Japan from the 12th century until 1868.

Daimyo

Feudal lord in Japan who controlled provinces and large land estates during the feudal period.

Samurai

Member of powerful military caste in feudal Japan, member of class or military retainers of the daimyos. 

Isolationism

Political philosophy advocating a foreign policy that opposes involvement in the political affairs and wars of other countries.

Commodore Perry

Headed expedition that forced Japan in 1853-1854 to enter into trade and diplomatic relations.

Treaty of Kanagawa

Historical agreement between U.S. and Japan ending Japan’s self-imposed isolation policy opening two ports (Shimoda and Hakodate) to U.S. ships for trade and diplomatic relations.

Westernization

Adoption of the practices and culture of western Europe by other societies and countries.

Nationalism

Identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests especially to exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.

Emperor Meiji

1867-1912; Dramatically transformed from a feudal country into one of the great powers of the modern world.

Bureaucracy

System of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than elected representatives.

Zaibatsu

Large Japanese business conglomerates.

Imperialism

Extending a nation's power through diplomacy or military force.

Social Stratification

Categorization of people into social classes based on factors like wealth, income, education, and power.