Meiji Period Flashcards
What does Inviolable mean?
That thing should not be destructed or else it can have bad consequences
How did they try to appeal to the Japanese?
By using the young emperor as a symbol of unity
What did they do with the child?
Traditional processions and festivals welcomed him wherever he went and became an important icon
What was the origin story?
The sun goddess passed these items to his descendants, who were the emperors of Japan
What was the traditional outfit?
Regalia consisted of a mirror a sword and a carvel jewel, symbols of legitimacy and authority of the emperor
How old was the new emperor? What was his name?
Mutsuhito was made the emperor of Japan, which, at the time, was 14 years old
Could he be officially an emperor at 14?
He could not be an official emperor until he turned 16
What did he select?
During the first year of his reign he selected a new name - “Enlighted Rule”.
What did he select?
During the first year of his reign he selected a new name - “Enlighted Rule”.
Where did the emperor live?
He lived a secluded life in an imperial place in Kyoto hidden from everyone
What did the gov’t do?
The Gov’t emphasized the importance of the emperor: had been restored to his rightful place in Japan
What happened during the 3 year period in 1867?
The 3 year period in 1867 when the young emperor Meiji came to the throne is known as the “Meiji Restoration”.
What time was Japan still behind?
In the 1800’s Japan was still very behind in modernizing its world. The rest of the world had trains and other machinery.
When did the Meiji period take place?
The Meiji period includes those times and events from 1868 to 1912.
Who did they invite from the western world? Why?
Merchants did start to get more wealth but eventually, they needed to see western ideas. They invited western experts to teach the Japanese engineers and technicians about western technology.
Who led the fight to defeat the shogunate? What did they become?
Samurais who led the fight to defeat the shogunate became the emperor’s advisors They helped the emperor and governed under the emperor’s rule.
Who took control of the government?
This oligarchy of unelected groups of people with powerful leaders took control of the government in the emperor’s name and ruled.
What did the advisors need to do quickly?
The advisors knew that Japan would have to change in order to keep Westerners from taking over as they’ve done in China.
Why did they need a strong country with economic and military power?
Japan needs to become a strong country with economic and military power that could take its place proudly in the modern world. Because they didn’t want to be taken over like China.
What was the oligarchy slogan?
“Enrich the country; strengthen the military”
How old were the Meiji officials?
The new Meiji officials have an average age of only 30
What experiences did the Meiji officials have?
All have academic and military skills, and many had travelled to other countries or had met Westerns in Japan
Why did they choose to have contact with the Western world?
Most were originally against foreigners, but they revised their options and realized that the quality of Western technology and believed in could prove beneficial for Japan
What were Japan’s two key goals?
To modernize Japan and make the economy grow & To renegotiate the unequal treaties
What two goals did they have for their new government?
A strong centralized government that could unite the country and create a government closer to a democratic
What did the new leaders do first?
New leaders of the Meiji government believed that Japan needed a strong, centralized government
How and When did they centralize the government? Why?
Why was it important to gain confidence in their new Japan?
What did the new leader do second?
Why did it take so many drafts to make the charter oaths?
What points of the worldview did the character oaths change?
How was the ritual ceremony
What were the Character oaths called?
What were the five rules in the Character oath?
When was the character oath signed by the emperor?
What were commoners given?
What did things not change despite the charter of oath?
What did the young leaders need?
What did the Meiji leaders do?
What daimyo do next?
What was the petition they did?
What was the name of this petition?
What happened to the domains?
What happened to the samurai?
What happened to the feudal system?
What happened in 1871?
What did the young people recognize?
What did they have to give the gov´t?
What was the new gov´t´s goal?
