Meiji Era (Restoration)

Transcription

1 Meiji Era (Restoration) Emperor Meiji End of Tokugawa 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 1

2 Responses in Japan 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 1 st 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) 2

3 Continued 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 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 ) 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 3

4 continued 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 4

5 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) 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 30 th day of the 10 th month of the 23 rd year of Meiji. 5

6 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 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. 6