Japanese Modernization During the Meiji Miracle
The Meiji Miracle
By
Alexander Webb Murfee
Modern World History 3HP
Woodward Academy
March 27, 2012
Throughout history, there have been many instances of a change in a culture because of foreign influence. Many times, these changes bring about positive modernization resulting from influences from a more advanced civilization. Nineteenth century Japan is a prime example of persuasion from a foreign power. After the American, Commodore Perry, entered Japan demanding extended rights for American sailors, Japanese society completely turned inside out and adopted Western influences. However, to completely understand these changes, there must be a full understanding of Japanese society starting with the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu. After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1598, Tokugawa Ieyasu began to complete the unification of Japan. Finally in 1600, he completed his work and established the Tokugawa Shogunate which lasted for two-hundred sixty-five years. Ieyasu constructed his government headquarters in Edo, now named Tokyo. The Japanese social classes, which had been in place long before Ieyasu, were made even more strict and nearly impossible to move up or down a social class. The top social class was the Samurai and the Daimyos, who were the regional lords of specific areas of Japan. Only the Samurai and the Daimyos had special privileges, such as carrying a sword or wearing hair in a topknot. The second highest social class was the farmers because they kept Japanese society alive by producing all of the food. Next were the artisans, who made all of the goods. The lowest social class was the merchants because they only traded common good and were not viewed as productive members of society. In addition to keeping a strict Japanese social system, Tokugawa Ieyasu also set up a very oppressive political system. In order to make sure the daimyos were loyal to him, he set up a sankin-kotai
By
Alexander Webb Murfee
Modern World History 3HP
Woodward Academy
March 27, 2012
Throughout history, there have been many instances of a change in a culture because of foreign influence. Many times, these changes bring about positive modernization resulting from influences from a more advanced civilization. Nineteenth century Japan is a prime example of persuasion from a foreign power. After the American, Commodore Perry, entered Japan demanding extended rights for American sailors, Japanese society completely turned inside out and adopted Western influences. However, to completely understand these changes, there must be a full understanding of Japanese society starting with the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu. After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1598, Tokugawa Ieyasu began to complete the unification of Japan. Finally in 1600, he completed his work and established the Tokugawa Shogunate which lasted for two-hundred sixty-five years. Ieyasu constructed his government headquarters in Edo, now named Tokyo. The Japanese social classes, which had been in place long before Ieyasu, were made even more strict and nearly impossible to move up or down a social class. The top social class was the Samurai and the Daimyos, who were the regional lords of specific areas of Japan. Only the Samurai and the Daimyos had special privileges, such as carrying a sword or wearing hair in a topknot. The second highest social class was the farmers because they kept Japanese society alive by producing all of the food. Next were the artisans, who made all of the goods. The lowest social class was the merchants because they only traded common good and were not viewed as productive members of society. In addition to keeping a strict Japanese social system, Tokugawa Ieyasu also set up a very oppressive political system. In order to make sure the daimyos were loyal to him, he set up a sankin-kotai