(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Meiji Restoration

The next period of Japanese history reflects the modernisation of Japan.
             The emperor was restored to power in 1868. When he first came to throne he was only 15 and too young to govern alone. The real power was held in a small group of young samurai holding political power, which is called an oligarchy. The young samurai dominated Japanese society for the next forty years. The oligarchy knew they had to perform two important tasks: establish complete control over Japan and make Japan equal with the west. Modernising Japan is what the majority of the oligarchy knew had to be done.
             Before modernisation commenced, one of the first actions of the young samurai oligarchy was to get the emperor to issue a document that showed the new government's aims. This act was called the Charter Oath. The Charter Oath declared that councils would be established so that the nation will be ruled according to public opinion: Men from all clans shall be united without distinction, All subjects, civil and military forces as well as the common people, shall do their best for Japan, Old absurd customs shall be abandoned and justice shall guide all actions and knowledge shall be gained from all the nations of the world to help Japan advance.
             In doing this, the oligarchy encourages Japanese experts to study Western systems. The aim was to find the best models to copy for Japan's modernisation.
             Military strength was imperative for the government control over the nation and protecting themselves from the West. The new navy was modelled on British lines and was made up of the former shogun's fleet with officers from the Satsuma clan. Ships where to be made up locally and also more ships where to be purchased abroad. The Japanese Imperial Army was formed in 1871; it was made up of ten thousand men. The government needed a centrally controlled army, which was loyal to the emperor. The new Japanese army was formed on the efficient army.


Essays Related to Meiji Restoration

1. Meiji Restoration

The Meiji Restoration was a period in Japan when massive changes occurred in ancient Japan. The goal of the Meiji Restoration was summarised in the motto, " A rich country, a strong military". ... The emperor Mutsuhito took the name of Meiji ("enlightened rule") as his reign name, this event was known as the Meiji Restoration. ... These were the economical changes the Meiji Restoration was responsible for. ... The Meiji Restoration brought great changes both within Japan and in Japan's place in world affairs. ...

  • Word Count: 1593
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Causes of the Meiji Restoratio

This is perhaps the most important event leading up to the Meiji Restoration. ... At this point, in order to avoid further violence and further destruction, the shogunate returned all of its authority to the court allowing the Meiji Restoration to occur. ... The second most important man to the Meiji restoration was probably Iwakura Tomomi. ... If Iwakura Tomomi is in fact responsible for the death of Komei, which seems very possible, he had perhaps the most important role in the Meiji restoration. The combination of all these trends and the actions of important people eventually lead to...

  • Word Count: 1630
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. Meiji Government

Two of the most important traditions and symbols in Japan; the Emperor and Confucianism have endured through Shogunates, restorations of imperial rule, and up to present day. The leaders of the Meiji Restoration used these traditions to gain control over Japan and further their goals of modernization. ... These advisers such as Prince Saionji, Prince Konroe, and members of the Satsuma and Choshu clans who had been members of the imperialist movement eventually wound up involving into the Meiji Bureaucracy and Genro of the Meiji Era.Footnote9 Once in control of the governmen...

  • Word Count: 1742
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Role of The Emperor in Meiji Japan

Two of the most important traditions and symbols in Japan; the Emperor and Confucianism have endured through Shogunates, restorations of imperial rule, and up to present day. The leaders of the Meiji Restoration used these traditions to gain control over Japan and further their goals of modernization. ... These advisers such as Prince Saionji, Prince Konroe, and members of the Satsuma and Choshu clans who had been members of the imperialist movement eventually wound up involving into the Meiji Bureaucracy and Genro of the Meiji Era.Footnote9 Once in control of the government t...

  • Word Count: 3764
  • Approx Pages: 15
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Role Of Emperor In Meiji Restoration

His accession to the throne marked the beginning of a national revolution known as the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912) after the great Tokugawa shogunate was abolished. The Meiji rule was intended to lead Japan into a new and completely modernized age influenced by the ways of the west. ... Under the Meiji constitution, the emperor was declared "sacred and inviolable. -, but he was still only a figurehead. ... These situations are similar in that the public saw Emperor Meiji as a descendant from their God. ... It was correct of him not to stand in the way of modernization and agree to put for...

  • Word Count: 828
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography

6. Late 19th Sentury Japan

The process of this modernization came during the Meiji period, thus the Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Restoration completely altered the face of Japan, affecting societal, economic and political conditions. ... During the Meiji restoration, the dress changes to western formal dress, which is a suit and tie, or for the emperor and his court, Prussian military outfits. ... In "Rough Living", we see the effects of the Meiji Restoration, both good and bad. ...

  • Word Count: 725
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

7. Meiji Revolution

The Meiji Restoration was period in Japan when massive changes in ancient Japan. The goal of the Meiji Restoration was summarized in their motto, "A rich country, a strong military." In their quest to do so, the Meiji looked to the western civilizations. ... Meiji leaders made the economy a major priority. ... During Meiji Rule Japan modernized with great speed, this meant that the Meiji Restoration was a huge success. ...

  • Word Count: 441
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

8. The Winners and Losers of Meiji Japan

This change would come to be known as the Meiji Restoration, and effectively led Japan through a rapid modernization procedure and in the end left the country as a world power both militarily and economically. ... Fukuzawa Yukichi and Kayano Shigeru were both men who were directly affected by the Meiji Restoration. ... While Fukuzawa Yukichi was one of the most influential individuals in inciting the sweeping changes of the Meiji period, Kayano Shigeru by contrast directly experienced the restoration as one of its imperialization victims. ... Of those people who had a positive experience as...

  • Word Count: 1669
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question