Meiji Era 1868-1912
(Restoration)
Emperor Meiji
End of Tokugawa
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Many Daimyo desired institutional changes – the appearance of the
West accelerated the process of change
meanwhile, in the USA –
The Oregon Territory was acquired in 1846, California in 1848
This creates a renewed interest in the Pacific (and Asia)
[M. Fillmore is President in late 1840’s early 1850’s]
On July 8, 1853 Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Tokyo Bay
(with his “Black Ships)
Purpose: -to gain coaling stations,
-safety for shipwrecked
sailors,
- and for expansion into
Asia
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Responses in Japan
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2 basic groups:
Kaikoku – open the country (small group) – “Dutch scholars” – learn
from the West to create a stronger Japan, in order to fight the West
Joi – expel the barbarians – fight the West now - believed the West
would undermine Japan’s Eastern philosophical basis
The Shogun was a weak individual – the government was run by a
council of elders led by Abe.
Abe decided to ask the daimyo for their advice (big mistake,
because it opened the door for debate on everything)
March 1854 – Japan and the USA signed the Kanagawa Treaty – it
opened two ports to US ships and allowed for the exchange of
diplomats
1st US consul to Japan was Townsend Harris – pushed for more
openness:
Harris Treaty 1858: (Treaty of Amity and Commerce)
1) 5 more ports were opened
2) Japanese tariffs were under international control
3) extraterritoriality
(eventually other Western countries get the same)
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Continued
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In Japan, these treaties created a desire to become equal with the West and
regain their independence (renewed national pride) – [ultimately leads to the
creation of a new government]
To gain support for the treaties, the government (Tokugawa) sent the
treaties to the Emperor for approval (another mistake)
Emperor did not approve = more turmoil
The Bakufu has to make concessions to get support:
Basically ended the Alternate Attendance system
Shogun agreed to go to Kyoto to consult with the Court
Tokugawa then try to reestablish power = other Daimyo are upset (leads to
open opposition)
Meiji Restoration
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2 outer domains form an alliance: Satsuma and Choshu (Sat-Cho) –
strong, rich domains – could buy modern weapons (Tosa and Hizen
also lesser roles)
They came together to fight a common enemy (Tokugawa), not
because they liked each other (Boshin War 1866-67)
They seized the Imperial Palace and had the boy emperor (Meiji)
proclaim the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the restoration of
Imperial rule (Jan 3, 1868 – begins the Meiji Era)
They embarked on transforming Japan (make it strong).
Most of the Sat-Cho leaders were younger, lower ranking samurai – but
they were educated
Kido Choshu
Saigo Satsuma
Sakamatsu – emperor’s representative
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continued
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Japan’s was a revolution (change to a “modern” state) from above –
led by an Oligarchy (Genro)
The goals of the leadership were to:
1) Strengthen Japan – in order to:
2) Gain equality with the West
So, the leaders set out to industrialize quickly
-had to have an educated, hard working labor force
Leaders went around the world (West) searching for ideas to borrow
Japan also invited westerners to Japan to teach them
The Charter Oath of 1868 (don’t copy)
By this oath, we set up as our aim the establishment
of the national wealth on a broad basis and the
framing of a constitution and laws.
-Deliberative assemblies shall be widely established
and all matters decided by open discussion.
-All classes, high and mighty, shall be united in
vigorously carrying out the administration of affairs of
state.
-The common people, no less than the civil and
military officials, shall all be allowed to pursue their
own calling so that there may be no discontent.
-Evil customs of the past shall be broken off and
everything based upon the just laws of Nature.
-Knowledge shall be sought throughout the
world so as to strengthen the foundation of
imperial rule
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Genro
Ito Hirobumi *
Inoue
Kuroda
Yamagata Aritomo *
Saionji- d 1940
Katsura
Oyama
Matsukata
Saigo
All this leads to many changes in Japan, including the
Imperial Rescript on Education (1890)
(don’t copy the Rescript)
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Know ye, Our subjects:
Our Imperial Ancestors have founded Our Empire on a basis broad and everlasting
and have deeply and firmly implanted virtue; Our subjects ever united in loyalty and
filial piety have from generation to generation illustrated the beauty thereof. This is
the glory of the fundamental character of Our Empire, and herein also lies the source
of Our education.
Ye, Our subjects, be filial to your parents, affectionate to your brothers and sisters; as
husbands and wives be harmonious, as friends true; bear yourselves in modesty and
moderation; extend your benevolence to all; pursue learning and cultivate arts, and
thereby develop intellectual faculties and perfect moral powers; furthermore advance
public good and promote common interests; always respect the Constitution and
observe the laws; should emergency arise, offer yourselves courageously to the
State; and thus guard and maintain the prosperity of Our Imperial Throne coeval with
heaven and earth.
So shall ye not only be Our good and faithful subjects, but render illustrious the best
traditions of your forefathers. The Way here set forth is indeed the teaching
bequeathed by Our Imperial Ancestors, to be observed alike by Their Descendants
and the subjects, infallible for all ages and true in all places. It is Our wish to lay it to
heart in all reverence, in common with you, Our subjects, that we may thus attain to
the same virtue.
The 30th day of the 10th month of the 23rd year of Meiji.
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To gain recognition as an equal, Japan had to have a constitution.
They study Western constitutions
Decide a European Parliamentary style govt. was best – Prussia
Feb 1889, it was ratified
Ito Hirobumi is the guiding force in writing the Constitution
Yamagata Aritomo argued strongly for the adoption of a constitution,
not to bring the governed into the system (natural rights) but as a
way of achieving national unity
Ito Hirobumi
Yamagata Aritomo
Imperial Oath Sworn in the Sanctuary in the Imperial Palace (Tsuge-bumi) 1889 Constitution
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We, the Successor to the prosperous Throne of Our Predecessors, do humbly and solemnly
swear to the Imperial Founder of Our House and to Our other Imperial Ancestors that, in
pursuance of a great policy co-extensive with the Heavens and with the Earth, We shall
maintain and secure from decline the ancient form of government.
In consideration of the progressive tendency of the course of human affairs and in
parallel with the advance of civilization, We deem it expedient, in order to give clearness
and distinctness to the instructions bequeathed by the Imperial Founder of Our House and by
Our other Imperial Ancestors, to establish fundamental laws formulated into express
provisions of law, so that, on the one hand, Our Imperial posterity may possess an express
guide for the course they are to follow, and that, on the other, Our subjects shall thereby be
enabled to enjoy a wider range of action in giving Us their support, and that the
observance of Our laws shall continue to the remotest ages of time. We will thereby to give
greater firmness to the stability of Our country and to promote the welfare of all the people
within the boundaries of Our dominions; and We now establish the Imperial House Law
and the Constitution. These Laws come to only an exposition of grand precepts for the
conduct of the government, bequeathed by the Imperial Founder of Our House and by Our
other Imperial Ancestors. That we have been so fortunate in Our reign, in keeping with the
tendency of the times, as to accomplish this work, We owe to the glorious Spirits of the
Imperial Founder of Our House and of Our other Imperial Ancestors.
We now reverently make Our prayer to Them and to Our Illustrious Father, and implore the
help of Their Sacred Spirits, and make to Them solemn oath never at this time nor in the
future to fail to be an example to our subjects in the observance of the Laws hereby
established.
May the heavenly Spirits witness this Our solemn Oath.
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