Tokugawa Shogunate
(1603-1868)
Centralize decision-making in the capital
Samurai -> commodores -> merchants
Commodore Perry “Opens up” Japan
Open up trade, turning point
Showing they are technologically behind the West
A spot of massive change within Japan
This point -> WWII (Argument)
Meiji Restoration
Importing tech, military weapons
To study technology and see what’s going on
Then report back
Revising the Western military
Rebellion of Samurai
Change of direction of the political system
Trade up
New factories built
GDP up
Japan begins living in a contradiction
On the outside, Japan is modern, western, progressive
Inside, culturally traditional
Process, characteristics of Japanese changing
Gives Western vibes
Stages of Japan’s Modernization
- Borrowing/Adapting technology (Stimulus diffusion)
- Outward cultural change by the desire to get respect and prestige
- Frustration
- Conflict/War
Smaller society
Japan had tremendous ability to push forward,
China undermined bureaucracy.
To have a change without a negative impact
Ultranationalism, Exceptionalism
Imperialism
1868 – Meiji Restoration
1871 – Iwakura Mission – brought back ideas for reform
1894 – First Sino-Japanese War – denied the Liaodong Province after their victory in the war by the European powers.
1900 – Boxer Rebellion relief force alongside Europeans and Americans
1902 – Anglo-Japanese Treaty – Naval and military cooperation
1904 – Russo-Japanese War – Conquered the Liaodong peninsula
1910 – Annexation of Korea
1915 – Invaded German holdings in Asia during World War I
1923 – Washington Naval Treaty – Japan’s navy was limited in size.
Did not gain the respect of the West
Humiliate Russia
External vs. Internal