Should the Meji Restoration be considered a revolution What were its consequences - Essay Example

? THE MEIJI RESTORATION The Meiji Restoration Introduction The Meiji Restoration is arguably the most significant event in the history of Japan. This is because it brought about major changes in both political and social circles, which culminated in the modernization of Japan. As a result, the events of Meiji Restoration, is widely regarded as a social and political revolution that helped in defining the aspirations of the Japanese people1. A number of reasons havce been put forward to justify that the Meiji Restorations was a revolution. Some of the justifications include the fact that the Meiji Restoration helped in ending the Tokugawa shogun while returning the Emperor to the Japanese central politics and culture. Law reports that the Meiji ‘revolution’ as some call it, also saw Japan change the way it relates with foreigners2. In this regard, he notes that after the restoration, Japan became more confident and home and ready to encounter the world for whatever cause. The restoration also helped in transforming Japan to a very powerful nation in the Asian continent both economically, politically and socially, all of which justifies that the Meiji Restoration was indeed a revolution. Law notes that, before the restoration of Japan, the Japanese people were under the control of the Tokugawa clan3. As a result, the Tokugawa clan control all the social, economic and political affairs of the country. However, it is reported that the Tokugawa rulers used to oppress the people of Japan, thereby denying Japan the opportunity of making any meaningful development. Therefore, with the emergence of Kurobune, Commodore Perry in the 1850s accompanied by other barbarians, a strong opposition to the Edo began in earnest4. Sonnu joi’s henchmen through the “Revere the emperor and repel the barbarians,” realized the inability of Shogun to remove the barbarians as a big opportunity to ‘restore’ the prominence of Kyoto once again according to Law5. Reports indicate that the most angered of all by the Shoguns were the ‘men of spirit’ or shishi as they are commonly referred to as in Japanese language. The shishi are said to be a segment of the samurai clan and are very aggressive in pursuing their objectives even it means using force. Law reveals that as the opposition was continuing to mount against the Tokugawa clan, another more opposition started to stir up6. This time the Chosu, Satsuma and the han clans began mobilizing their troops for the war. This resulted in the emergence of a revolution slogan “Enrich the country, strengthen the army” of the young Toshimichi Okubo of the Satsuma clan7. It is reported this move is what culminated in the emergence of the Maiji era. Law reports that the opposition armies soon began to modernize towards the end of the Shogunate, a move that continued even after the Meiji. Intense war continued between the opposition forces and the Tokugawa clan that had been under the control of Japan. However, since the opposition forces were more organized and appeared to have superior weapons than Tokugawa, then soon managed to topple Tokugawa in a coup de tat on January 3 1868, marking the end of their rule8. It was immediately after toppling the Tokugawa clan from power that the opposition legitimized the “Revolution” but instead adopted the term “Meiji Restoration”9. In this regard, the Meiji Restoration meant taking away rule from the Shogunate and taking it back to the Emperor, whose name was Meiji. Significance/Consequences of Meiji Restoration Meiji Restoration is highly regarded as a historical event that helped in transforming Japan to what it is today. In this regard, it has a lot of significance as far as the history the revolution of Japan is concerned. Firstly, the restoration leadership transformation from the Shogunate to the Emperor, which was remarkable as far as the history of Japan is concerned. This saw the rule change hand from the feudalist to a more democratic system of government for the people10. We are also told that the Meiji Restoration did not just end with the overthrow of the Tokugawa clan from the rule in 1868 rather it continued beyond this time with the aim of revolutionizing Japan. In this regard, the revolution continued thereby bringing many significant changes to the culture of the Japanese people by bringing back social order, improving the education system, as well as bringing mass modernization in Japan11. This kind of revolution is what has made Japan what it is today according to historians. In fact, it is reported that Japan revolutionized earlier and faster than other Asian countries because of the fact that the Meiji Revolution’s directives were top-down. That is, from Edo, now Tokyo the capital city of Japan12. There are a number of reforms arguably brought about by Meiji Restoration, which made it be regarded as a revolution of the Japanese society. One such reform was the fact that the Meiji Restoration brought about a system of compulsory universal education in Japan13. This came into effect following the 1890s declaration of the Imperial Rescript of Education by the new regime. It is reported that Japan was very much behind under the Tokugawa rule, which denied the Japanese access to quality education, which could only be afforded by the few, and the rich in society14. As a result, this saw illiteracy levels increase significantly in Japan. However, this ended after the Meiji Restoration, which advocated for compulsory and universal education for all the Japanese people regardless of status in society. This explains why Japan is among the few countries with high literacy levels in the world. In fact, the universal education enabled Japan to advance very first in terms of technology. All these could have been a dream if the Meiji Restoration could not have succeeded in toppling the Tokugawa clan from power. The Meiji Restoration is also considered a revolution because it helped in restoring democracy and local self-governance in Japan. Report indicates that Japan was a country that knew not anything to do with democracy under the Tokugawa rule. In this regard, the government in place was supreme and used its powers to oppress its very citizens. In fact, no one was allowed to question the leaders even when they did something wrong in society. However, Japan soon emerged as one of the most democratic countries in the world following the transition of government brought about by Meiji Restoration. This is still being witnessed today as Japan has always maintained the principles of the Meiji Restoration in ensuring that the country is governed in accordance with the people’s demands15. The Meiji Restoration also resulted in the total transformation of the military system of Japan. Report indicates that Japan was very much behind in terms of military capability under the Tokugawa rule, which lasted for more than two centuries16. This situation put Japan at a low level compared to other countries in Asia such as China, which had a superior military capacity than Japan. However, after the restoration under the Meiji Restoration, Japan was able to reform its military system making it one of the most powerful in the entire Asian continent. Japan’s military capability has remained strong ever since, a position, which has made it sovereign and most feared country in the world in terms of military capability17. In fact, the country’s military capability has been tasted in the past, which has proved that Meiji Restoration did reform the military system of Japan. Other notable reforms brought by the Meiji Restoration in Japan included the introduction of the Diet and male suffrage as well as the promotion of markets and capitalism. In the event, corporations also expanded significantly in the Maiji government. In addition, the establishment of the Meiji government following Meiji Restoration opened up Japan for business opportunities18. In fact, this can be attested to, as Japan is currently one of the world’s economic powers today. All this developments and prosperities are all attributed to the reforms brought about by the Meiji Restoration. Law argues that these revolutionary principles of the Meiji Restoration imply that Japan had an environment that promoted rapid modernization and mass national mobilization, as opposed to the other Asian nations, which experienced slow transformation19. In fact, as we well know Japan today, the reforms brought about by the Meiji Restoration did form the basis of pre-World War II Industrialization of Japan and the post War experience. The other notable significance of Meiji Restoration in Japan can be seen from the way Japan responded to western invasion in comparison with China, its neighboring country. In this regard, it is clear that whereas China has not been able to come out of the barbarian rule for ages, Japan, on the other hand, managed to undergo political revolution and become a sovereign and a respected country in the world20. Law notes that the mindset of the Chinese is that it is based on perceived self-superiority to the culture of its middle kingdom but, not on the inferior barbarians21. For instance, Law reveals that when western forces revealed their modern military capability, Peking was already secluded geographically that it felt that such arsenals were whimsical. As a result, China remained ignorant as its responses were also not effective. Japan’s approach to the western invasion was much effective and aggressive. This is because it offered a significant amount of resistance because the Restoration of Meiji had showed the importance of modernization22. In this regard, Japan, unlike China was able to keep its borders secure using its modern military equipments which enabled it to repel barbarians. In fact, the modernization of Japan by the Meiji Restoration did place Japan in a stable position to win a war against its neighbors, something, which could otherwise have been impossible. Japan’s military capability was tested in the war between it and China that was fought from1894 to 1895, and the war between it and Russia from 1904 to 190523. Report indicates that Japan won all these wars because it had acquired modern arsenals, which proved superior to weapons that other countries in the Asian region had24. For instance, it is reported that after China’s invasion of Japan in 1894, Japan used its military forces to repel the Chinese forces after destroying the Chinese fleet capturing Taiwan and finally occupying Korea25. Angered by the incident, Russia also invaded Japan in an attempt to intervene in the war. However, Japan was still able to defeat the Russian forces after destroying its fleet in the port. Law argues that these two victories over countries that had initially been considered to have very powerful military equipments n the region made Japan gain a lot of respect from the western countries26. In fact, the victory gave Japan the audacity to compel the western forces to show respect to Japan by treating it as an equal ‘imperial’ power, something that did not go well with China one of its foes in the Asian continent27. It is also notable that the Meiji Restoration also had far-reaching consequences outside the borders of Japan. This is because through the attainment of independence from the Western powers, Japan did act as a role model to the entire Asian countries that it is not difficult attaining autonomy from the Western powers28. This is because Japan was able to emerge as one of the most powerful nations in the world attaining the same status as those of the western countries that were considered powerful, and mighty. This can still be observed as Japan is among the world’s G8 one of the world’s most powerful political organization that makes decisions regarding how the world is suppose to conduct its affairs. All these developments are attributed to the reforms brought about by Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Restoration also brought many significant social and economic changes in Japan29. This is mainly evident from the fact that it led to the abolition of the feudalism thereby opening up Japan for social and political changes. For instance, the abolition of the feudist rule by the Meiji restoration brought democracy in Japan in which people now became free to choose what they want to do, as well as establishing freedom of movement that Japanese people had been denied for over two centuries under the Tokugawa rule. The creation of a democratic environment of political and financial security made it possible for the new government of Japan to make investments in new technologies and industries. It is noted that the government led the way by building infrastructures such as railway and shipping line as well as telecommunication networks throughout the country30. Several industries were also built in the country particularly the textile industries and automobile industries. This helped in improving the economy of Japan addition to creating jobs for the Japanese population. In fact, Japan has maintained these principles set by the Meiji Restoration. Certainly, no one can deny that the economy of Japan is one of the largest after the U.S. and China. The modern Japan is well known for its automobile and electronic industries31. For instance, Toyota company from Japan is among the top automobile industries in the world with its brand Toyota being a household name in most countries in the world including Australia. In fact, Japan is one among the countries that lead in terms of technology today. This is also attributed to the fact that the abolition of the feudalism led to the promotion of education in the country through the creation of a universal education system for all. This has enabled Japan to produce high skilled work force that has helped in driving the Japanese economy to greater heights. Report indicates that Japanese system of education is one of the best in the world32. At the same time, it has one of the highly educated population in the world. All these achievements came about because of the reforms brought about by the Meiji Restoration. Conclusion Meiji Restoration has indeed remained one of the most historic events in Japan. Having took place more than a century ago; its impact is still being felt in Japans social, economic, and social environment. In fact, following the changes that Meiji Restoration brought in Japan, it can be argued with certainty that the event what a revolution despite the revolutionaries preferring to use the word restoration. This is because apart from the fact that it led to the abolition of the feudalism, it opened up a democratic space still being witnessed in Japan today. In addition, it changed the Japanese social and political environment that made Japan experience complete transformation. Some of the notable transformation is that Japan was able to develop a strong military and navy forces that made it gain a lot of respect from the neighboring countries like China and the Western countries. Moreover, the Meiji Restoration enabled Japan to focus on developing the country economically through the creation of industries and opening up the country for investments. Further, the Meiji Restoration is also credited for having given way for the establishment of a universal education system, which has enabled Japan to produce high skilled labor in the world. Certainly, these remarkable changes could not have been realized were it not for Meiji Restoration or ‘revolution.’ Bibliography Beasley, William G. The Meiji Restoration. Stamford: Stanford University Press. 1992. Craig, Albert M. Choshu in the Meiji Restoration. Oxford: Lexington Books. 1961. Duiker, William J., & Spielvogel, Jackson J. World History: To 1500, Volume 2. Manson, OH: Cengage Learning. 2008. Hansen, Valerie, Curtis, Kenneth, & Curtis, Kenneth R. Voyages in World History: Since 1500. Manson, OH: Cengage Learning. 2008. Jansen, Marius B. Sakamoto Ryoma and the Meiji Restoration. University Press, 1994. Kornicki, Peter F. Meiji Japan. London: Routledge. 1998. Lew, Calvin W. “The Meiji Restoration.” 28 September 1995. http://www.calvinwlew.com/issuepapers/meijirevolution.htm. Swale, Alistair. The Meiji Restoration: Monarchism, Mass Communication, and Conservative Revolution. London: Palgrave Macmillan, Dec 15, 2009. Szczepanski, Kallie. What Was the Meiji Restoration? http://asianhistory.about.com/od/japan/f/What-Was-the-Meiji-Restoration.htm. Tipton, Elise K. Modern Japan. Tokyo: Routledge. 2008. Varley Paul H. Japanese Culture. New York, NY: University of Hawaii Press. 2000. Watkins, Thayer, Valley, Silicon & Alley, Tornado. Meiji Restoration/Revolution. http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/meiji.htm. Wilson, George M. Patriots and Redeemers in Japan: Motives in the Meiji Restoration. New York, NY: University of Chicago Press. 1992. Read More