Chapter 6 Study Guide: Meiji Period

Chapter 6 Study Guide: Meiji Period

Vocabulary Definitions

  • Understand all vocabulary definitions related to the Meiji Period. No matching required, but a thorough understanding is necessary.

Unequal Treaties

  • Examine the unequal treaties imposed on Japan by Western powers.
  • Understand the implications and effects of these treaties on Japan's sovereignty and economy.

Foreign Relationships Between Japan and Western Nations

  • Analyze Japan's foreign relationships with Western nations during the Meiji Period.
    • Were Western nations considered enemies or allies?
    • How was Japan's reputation among Western nations evolving?

Modernization Strategies

  • Investigate the modernization strategies adopted by Meiji leaders.
    • How did Meiji leaders decide which aspects to modernize?
    • What criteria were used to select Western models and technologies?

Military Restructuring

  • Outline the restructuring of the Japanese military during the Meiji Period.
    • Western models used:
      • British Navy: Describe the adoption of British naval strategies and technologies.
      • French Conscription: Explain how the French conscription model was implemented in Japan.
      • German Army: Detail the influence of the German army on the restructuring of the Japanese army.

Restructured Government

  • Explain how the Japanese government was restructured during the Meiji Period.
    • Domains → prefectures: Describe the transition from feudal domains to a system of prefectures.

Constitution

  • Determine when Japan adopted its Constitution.
  • Summarize the key aspects of the Constitution:
    • Benefits for the government: Outline the powers and advantages granted to the government under the Constitution.
    • Benefits for citizens: Describe the rights and freedoms guaranteed to citizens.

Process of Industrialization

  • Explain the process of industrialization in Japan during the Meiji Period.
    • Government-owned → privatization: Describe the shift from government-owned industries to privatization.

Land Ownership and Tax Restructuring

  • Describe land ownership and tax restructuring during the Meiji Period.
    • Feudal system → private ownership: Explain the transition from a feudal land system to private ownership.
    • Koku → monetary taxes: Detail the shift from taxes in koku (rice) to monetary taxes.

Education Reforms

  • Outline the education reforms implemented during the Meiji Period.

Religious Reforms

  • Describe the religious reforms during the Meiji Period and their impacts on:
    • Confucianism
    • Buddhism
    • Shintoism