Lecture 4

Question 1

Abolition of Daimyo domains

Answer 1

Domains renamed prefectures in 1871, Daimyo now called Governors, get 10% of tax revenue.

Question 2

Abolition of samurai class

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Class restrictions removed

Answer 3

People are now Kazoku (peers), shizoku (gentry), heimin (commoners).

Question 4

Iwakura MIssion

Answer 4

1871-73. A worldwide diplomatic and educational mission to Western Nations in order to renegotiate the Unequal Treaties and learn how to modernize Japan

Question 5

Fukuzawa Yukichi

Answer 5

One of the primary educators in Japan on all things Western, particularly in popular books.

Question 6

Tokyo Shokonsha 1869

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Imperial Army

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Education

Answer 8

1872. Four years of compulsory education and higher schools and universities established.

Question 9

100 sen

Answer 9

equals 1 yen

Question 10

Fukoku kyohei

Answer 10

rich country, strong army. A slogan used to signify the ambitions of Japan to catch up with the West.

Question 11

‘selling daughters’

Answer 11

Fathers would sell their daughters and be paid in advance for their labour. The daughter would then have to work off the debt.

Question 12

Economic development

Answer 12

government built harbours, lighthouses, telegraph lines, postal system, railways. “Model industries” set up with government money and foreign experts to promote and direct economy.

Question 13

1 cho

Answer 13

2.45 acres, 1 hectare

Question 14

Ketsuzei

Answer 14

blood tax. Peasant view of conscripted military service. Many maimed themselves to avoid it.

Question 15

Saigo Takamori

Answer 15

Satsuma samurai, led 1877 samurai revolt against govt, up to 40,000 rebels - suicide in defeat.

Question 16

Constitutional development

Answer 16

1874: popular rights movement
jiyu: freedom
1875: censorship laws
1881: promised a constitution by 1890

Question 17

Ito Hirobumi

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Okuma Shigenobu

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Reform of unequal treaties

Answer 19

1887 draft agreement failed because foreigners still wanted foreign judges in Japan to judge non-japanese.

Question 20

1889 Constitution

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Privy Council

Answer 21

(outside constitution) was the real decision-making body, drawn from the genro.

Question 22

genro

Answer 22

Imperial advisors, former samurais from the satsuma and choshu domains (4 each). Power to appoint prime minister.

Question 23

Normal Schools

Answer 23

Teach training schools for the newly implemented mandatory education system.

Question 24

Imperial Rescript on Education

Answer 24

1890, said the purpose of education was to develop filial piety, patriotism, and obedience to authority.

Question 25

new negotiations on Unequal Treaties

Answer 25

1890-94. 1894 treaty between Japan and Britain - extraterritoriality ends by 1899 and restrictions on tariff autonomy by 1911.

Question 26

Zaibatsu

Answer 26

Financial clique. Mitsui industrial conglomerates, Mitsui bank, Miike coal mine, etc.