Japan

** Japan **

 * 1850- 1914 **

Technological Advances
In 1871, Japan opened it's first railway, providing the first means of major regional transport
 * The Railroad:**

Positive Consequences: - Transportation becomes easier - Helps accelerate industrialization - Uses less fossil fuel

Negative Consequences: - Government almost runs out of money on building the railroad

__Meiji Restoration:__ - A revolution that overthrew the shôgun (great general) and restored the emperor days. - Sped up industrialization after seeing western technology - Wins against china and Russia improves military strength and shows westerners that they are tougher than they look O_o -  The first railroad was built in 1872, and by 1890 there were more than 1,400 miles (2,250 km) of rail

Benefits from the Meiji Restoration: -National tax was established, instead of paying rice, they pay tax. That allowed the government to stabilize the national budget. That gave the government money to build up the strength of the nation. -Top leaders went to Europe and United states to study western ways in 1875, and when returned, they reestablished their control, arguing that they should concentrate on its own modernization and not engage in such foreign adventures. -Dropping the feudalism made lots of political and social changes. The Japanese Emperor Meiji __What are some positive and negative consequences of technological progress and industrialization in the region you have been assigned?__ Positive consequences: - Japan gains the respect from international powers - Japan grows military strength - Japan changes into a centralized, bureaucratic government · Japan creates a constitution establishing an elected parliament · Japan gains a well-developed transport and communication system · Japan makes its population highly educated, free of feudal class restrictions · Japan creates an established and rapidly growing industrial sector based on the latest technology · Japan gains a powerful army and navy Negative consequences: - It started the world wars (I & II)  - Killed a lot of people in the wars  - Used a lot of money and food which caused chaos inside Japan __Is your region technologically advanced for it’s time or not? Why do you think it is advanced or not? Do you think the society is operating effectively without interference?__  Before the meiji restoration in 1868, Japan was really backwards in terms of technology. However, due to the Meiji’s rule and society change, Japan evolved in technology in a very fast rate, catching up with the rest of the world and having enough military power to defeat Russia. By 1912, they were one of the strongest countries in the world. Thousands of well paid western foreigners were called to the country to assist as instructors, doctors, engineers, consultants, and university teachers. While many of the Japanese students were sent to Europe, U.S.A to learn at western universities. Also, many of the groups of high ranking people were sent to the west to find new facts, and to study the west.  After the Meiji period, Academic level in Japan rose. By the end of the Meiji period, almost everyone attended the free public schools for at least six years. __What is the state of political and social development of your region? What are the positive and negative consequences of revolutions and imperialism that occurred in your region? Provide examples of the political and social changes these created?__ Negative consequences: The samurai and feudal lords lost almost all their power and advantages Only 8% of the population are samurais, and the had far reading privileges- they receive free rice from farmersl.

Positive consequences: In 1894, Japan revised the unfair treaties that gave other foreign countries judicial and economical privileges. They combined the western’s advance and eastern’s value to create a combined styled country to improve their society. The draftees was better equipped with more efficient weapons brought from the west. WIth the western influenced new imperial system, Japan managed to prove it’s superiority in two major wars, the sin Japanese war against china, and  Russo-Japanese war of 1904/1905 against Russia. Soon later, Japan visibly emerged as a new dominating power in Asia. Although there is still one concern about Americans, British, and other European powers like Germany, Russia, and France, they managed to gain new territories; Korea, which was formally annexed in 1910, and Taiwan.

__What is the state of political and social development of your region? What are the positive and negative consequences of revolutions and imperialism that occurred in your region? Provide examples of the political and social changes these created?__ <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Negative consequences: The samurai and feudal lords lost almost all their power and advantages Only 8% of the population are samurais, and the had far reading privileges- they receive free rice from farmersl.

Positive consequences: In 1894, Japan revised the unfair treaties that gave other foreign countries judicial and economical privileges. They combined the western’s advance and eastern’s value to create a combined styled country to improve their society. The draftees was better equipped with more efficient weapons brought from the west. WIth the western influenced new imperial system, Japan managed to prove it’s superiority in two major wars, the sin Japanese war against china, and <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Russo-Japanese war of 1904/1905 against Russia. Soon later, Japan visibly emerged as a new dominating power in Asia. Although there is still one concern about Americans, British, and other European powers like Germany, Russia, and France, they managed to gain new territories; Korea, which was formally annexed in 1910, and Taiwan.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline;">__How would you rank these regions in terms of their political and social development compared to another state or region? Are they ahead or behind?__ <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">By the end of 1912, Japan was definitely considered a developed country in both political and social ways. They were by far the most powerful nation in Asia, and they were quite well ranked compared to the western countries as well.

All works cited:
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"The Constitution of the Empire of Japan, 1889." Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Britannica Online. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://www.school.ebonline.com/primary_source/gutenberg/PGCC_classics_02/613.htm>.

"Modern History: The Meiji Restoration and Modernization." Asia for Educators | Columbia University. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/japan/japanworkbook/modernhist/meiji.html>.

"Japanese History: Meiji Period." Japan-guide.com - Japan Travel and Living Guide. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2130.html>.

<span style="background-color: #ebebeb; color: #000000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 8pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Japan." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2011. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. < <span style="background-color: #ebebeb; color: #336699; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 8pt; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.school.ebonline.com/eb/article-23188__] <span style="background-color: #ebebeb; color: #000000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 8pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">>.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Meiji Period - Artelino." Artelino - Japanese Prints. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://www.artelino.com/articles/meiji-period.asp>.



// Meiji Constitution: the Meiji emperor proclaiming the Meiji Constitution //. Photograph. //Encyclopedia Britannica Online//. Web. 23 Aug. 2011. < [] >.

Japan

The following sites can be used to find examples that can be applied in either question 1 and 2. It's up to you to figure out how they best fit. Most importantly, practice explaining how.

CDNIS Library - Britannica (Key word Japan - look under history 1850-1945)
 * This has a good overview

[|Meiji - Primary Source]



The following sites will help you begin your search to the topic questions:

Japan in the 19th century Japanese women & reforms Meiji Restoration Meiji Period

Image found at: http://www.monopol-magazin.de