Lecture 4 Flashcards
Abolition of Daimyo domains
Domains renamed prefectures in 1871, Daimyo now called Governors, get 10% of tax revenue.
Abolition of samurai class
1869: Now only two ranks, upper and lower.
1873: Stipends are taxed.
1874-76: Stipends now interest bearing bonds, lose right to carry swords.p
Class restrictions removed
People are now Kazoku (peers), shizoku (gentry), heimin (commoners).
Iwakura MIssion
1871-73. A worldwide diplomatic and educational mission to Western Nations in order to renegotiate the Unequal Treaties and learn how to modernize Japan
Fukuzawa Yukichi
One of the primary educators in Japan on all things Western, particularly in popular books.
Tokyo Shokonsha 1869
Now called the Yasukuni Shrine. A shinto shrine that lists the names of all who have died in the service of the Empire of Japan, including war criminals, which makes it controversial.
Imperial Army
Conscription introduced in 1873. Every man 17-40 had to do 3 years active service and 4 years in reserves. All classes can carry weapons now.
Education
- Four years of compulsory education and higher schools and universities established.
100 sen
equals 1 yen
Fukoku kyohei
rich country, strong army. A slogan used to signify the ambitions of Japan to catch up with the West.
‘selling daughters’
Fathers would sell their daughters and be paid in advance for their labour. The daughter would then have to work off the debt.
Economic development
government built harbours, lighthouses, telegraph lines, postal system, railways. “Model industries” set up with government money and foreign experts to promote and direct economy.
1 cho
2.45 acres, 1 hectare
Ketsuzei
blood tax. Peasant view of conscripted military service. Many maimed themselves to avoid it.
Saigo Takamori
Satsuma samurai, led 1877 samurai revolt against govt, up to 40,000 rebels - suicide in defeat.
Constitutional development
1874: popular rights movement
jiyu: freedom
1875: censorship laws
1881: promised a constitution by 1890
Ito Hirobumi
Japan’s first prime minster and served four times overall. Originally part of the movement to expel the barbarians, but after studying abroad became one of the biggest proponents of Modern reforms.
Okuma Shigenobu
Originally part of the movement to expel the barbarians, he went on to hold many political offices and advocated modernization. Renegotiated a very unpopular version of the unequal treaties in 1887 that was rejected. Leg blown off in assassination attempt.
Reform of unequal treaties
1887 draft agreement failed because foreigners still wanted foreign judges in Japan to judge non-japanese.
1889 Constitution
Top down (gift from Emperor) On German Model Ministers responsible to Emperor, not to the Diet Diet made up of House of Peers (appointed upper house), and elected representatives in lower house. Franchise to Japanese males who paid enough taxes - 1% of population.
Privy Council
(outside constitution) was the real decision-making body, drawn from the genro.
genro
Imperial advisors, former samurais from the satsuma and choshu domains (4 each). Power to appoint prime minister.
Normal Schools
Teach training schools for the newly implemented mandatory education system.
Imperial Rescript on Education
1890, said the purpose of education was to develop filial piety, patriotism, and obedience to authority.
