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The Meiji Restoration

In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:

The Meiji RestorationModernization

Effects of the Meiji Restoration

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The last Tokugawa Shogun

wascriticized for

opening Japan to the West. The

Shogunatecollapsed.

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The Emperor was suddenly restored topower. It is important to remember thatduring the Shogunate, the emperors had

acted as mere puppets.

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The Meiji Restoration restoredpower to the Emperors of Japan.

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Emperor Meiji realized that Japan hadto adopt Western ways if Japan was toescape future domination by the West.

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Emperor Meiji began the process ofmodernization. The Japanese became

a modern nation with modern technology.

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One effect of the Meiji Restoration wasthat feudalism was abolished. The samurai lost their status. A modern

military was established.

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The Japanese adopted Western technology. They built railroads

and factories.

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Japan was given a written constitution.The emperor kept his full power anda Western-style military was created.

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Universal compulsory education was introduced. Many Japanese studentswent abroad to study European and

American economic policies and technological innovations.

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Like Peter theGreat, the RussianTsar, the Japanese

began to lookto the West in

an attemptto become

a powerful, modernnation.

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The Japanese even developed anImperial Empire.

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It is important to remember that Japan hasfew natural resources. The Japanese

began to conquer colonies for raw materials for manufacturing.

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Questions for Reflection:

• Why were people upset with the Tokugawa Shogun?

• What was the Meiji Restoration?• Why did Emperor Meiji modernize and

westernize Japan?• What were three effects of the Meiji

Restoration?• How did the Meiji Restoration end

feudalism in Japan?