5. Political Development
Several uprisings occurred
during the 1870s and 1980s.
And the most serious one was
led by SaigoTakamori.
The rebel force rose as high
as 42,000, but after half a year
the rebellion was crushed.
6. Political Development
Protest against the
government continued and an
other important man, who had
worked so hard to create the
new Japanese state, was
assassinated.
Okubo Tishimichi
9. Political Development
Ito Hirobumi took the lead
in political modernization.
He became the Prime
Minister of Japan four times
(the 1st, 5th, 7th and 10th)
13. Formation of Parties
The Jiyuto (Liberal party) formed by Itagaki and his
associates
Drew its support from rural areas
It proclaimed itself “devoted to the expansion of
liberty, protection of rights, promotion happiness and
reform of society.”
The Kaishinto (Progressive party) formed by Okuma
More urban and more moderate
Advocating English-style liberalism and setting forth
more specific proposals
14. Formation of Parties
Japan’s first newspaper appeared in 1871, and
press laws enacted in 1875.
The Liberal party was hurt by differences among its
leaders, but was damaged even more by
antagonism within its membership, it was dissolved
in 1884.
A system of centralizing local administration was
established, villages and town were now headed by
officials, and local assemblies were created.
15. The Emperor and the
Constitution
The emperor was a divine being embodying a timeless spirit, but this was
a modern divinity, resplendent in his flashy, new, world-class uniform.
The emperor, “sacred and inviolable” father of the family state, was
supreme.
He was the locus and source of sovereignty: the land and people
belonged to him.
He had power to declare war, conclude treaties, and command the army.
He also had the right to open, recess (suspend), and dissolved the
legislature
Only the emperor could take the initiative to revise the constitution
19. Civilization and Enlightenment
In 18th century Europe, the intellectual movement known
as the Enlightenment sought to put all traditional ideas
and institutions to the test of reason.
FukuzawaYukichi was strongly influenced by the
European Enlightenment.
He goals were to stimulate the development of an
independent and responsible citizenry in Japan.
While he reviewed the role of women in terms of family
and home, Fukuzawa also recommended greater
equality between sexes, championed monogamy argued
that women should be educated and allowed to hold
property.
20. Civilization and Enlightenment
According to Fukuzawa, history was made by the
people, not by a few great leaders.
He established what became Keio University, a
distinguished private university in Tokyo whose
graduates were important in business and industry.
He believed that human affairs should be governed
by inherent concepts of justice like the physical
world is governed by laws of nature.
21. Social Darwinism
It’s all based on the theory of evolution by natural
selection presented in Darwin’s famous On the Origin of
Species (1859).
The theory was summarized by the catch phrase
“survive of the fittest.”
It applies to the success or failure of individuals within
society, it justified brutal competition.
Similarly, applied to the rise and fall of nations, it focuses
on military as well as civil competition.
In both case, “the fittest” were those came out on the top
and thereby contributed to human progress.
22. The Arts
Western influence was both audible and visible.
Music taught in school
Literature, “the age of translation”
Painting, “Morning Toilet” by Kuroda Seiki, painting of
nude
The coming of Western art led to the neglect of
traditional art.
23. Conservatism and Nationalism
Some Japanese feared that acceptance of a foreign culture was a
step towards national decline, and should adopt some of Western
culture while retaining valuable aspects of their past.
Western individualism, fostered by the policy of
modernization, clashed with the old family values.
……
Okakura went on to define a wider world role for Japan by
emphasizing Japan’s Asian roots.
His book, The Ideals of the Eat presents the nation’s mission in
term of preserving an Asian cultural essence.
24. Education
Education was important in fashioning a new Japan
capable of competing with the West.
At the beginning of the Meiji period (1873), One-
eighth of ME’s first budget was designed for
sending students overseas.
Many foreign instructors were brought to Japan to
teach various specialized schools.
The Ministry of Education was created since 1871
to determine what was taught.
25. Education
Political leaders agreed to provide people with skills
necessary for modernization.
In the 1870s, more books were frequently translated
for use in Japanese schools.
However, there were also critics who insisted that
schools should preserve traditional
Confucian/Japanese values.
26. Modernizing the Economy
The nation was still primarily agrarian, but Western experience brought
the country to the condition for industrial development.
Japanese agriculture had become more efficient with the introduction of
new seed trains, new fertilizers, and new methods of cultivation.
Trade helped generate capital needed for investment in manufacturing.
However, Benefits resulting from the commercialization of agriculture
went to the landlord.
The Meiji regime invested heavily in the economic infrastructure
The government took the lead in establishing and operating cement
works, plants manufacturing tiles, textile mills…..
27. The Zaibatsu
The zaibatsu (huge financial and industrial
combines) were usually organized by new
entrepreneurs to make a successful tradition into
the new world of Meiji.
The Mitsui was vigorous and capable, establishing
first a bank and then a trading company which
became important factors in foreign commerce.
28. Military
The Taiwan expedition of 1874
The Satuma Rebellion of 1877
The Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895
Yamagata established a general staff along German
lines, and the Germany became the overall model
for the army, previously influenced by France.
The army got modern equipment, the creation of a
Staff College and improve training, and Naval
modernization.