In the history of Japan, Meiji restoration took place in1868 caused the end of the Tokugawa
shogunate which was a military government which was in power between1603 to 1867. It actually
brought back the country’s control to the imperial governance under Mutsuhito. This restoration brought
about economic, social and political changes in Japan. During this period, Japan adopted the
parliamentary system and the use of a constitution. Other infrastructure facilities were also established to
include railway transport, a strong army and navy forces. Telegraph lines were also established to
facilitate communication.
Meiji restoration had great significance in Japan. Japan was opened to interact with the rest of the
world. Samurai class and feudal domains came to an end. A cabinet system of governance was put into
place in 1885 as well as establishment of a parliament in 1890. Meiji restoration was caused by
westerners demand for Japan to open up for trade with other countries. Japan also realized that they
needed to adopt the western technology to resist colonization. Due to the restoration, Japan experienced
effects which included; start of fast growing industries under the new technology. Electricity, steamships
and railway network were also established. A centrally structured government was formed, with a
constitution and a parliament. An emperor was given back his power although his rule was indirect, with
a powerful army and navy were created in Japan. Japanese turned to imperialist due to the absence of raw
materials. Eventually, Japan won the Sino- Japanese war and the Russo- Japanese war.
The Meiji restoration was a revolution as it overthrew the Samurai rule who could no longer got
their livelihood from the land reforms and forcing the unwilling citizens to join the army. There was the
establishment of Zaibatsu when the government transformed the industries into private industries.
Programs like public education were introduced by the government which was funded and organized by
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the villages. The Japanese were able to sell their silk at high prices after the reduced silk production in
Italy.
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Work Cited
Asia for Educators, Columbia University, 2020.
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu