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Period: to
Japan's Industrialization and Modernization
Although Japan kept many of its cultural aspects intact, it changed its political system, economic practices, and its social structure. -
End of the Shogunate
The Tokugawa Shogunate ended on November 9, 1867. The shogunate was abolished and an emperor became the ruler of Japan. This is a change, as the shogunate had ruled over Japan for centuries. -
War for Control of Japan
In January 1868, the army of the former shogunate began a war with the emperor's forces. The shogunate had the intention of reassaerting its power. This is continuity, as the shogunate had claimed its dominance over Japan before and was claiming it still had power. -
Emperor's dominance is asserted
The Emperor's army finally put down the shogunate's army. This is change, as it marks the end of the shogunate's power in Japan and the beginning of a new era. -
Japanese Industrialization begins
In 1870, the Japanese government began building and funding railroads. It also sponsored the use of machines to make manufactured products to sell to the rest of Asia. This shows change, because the Japanese had decided to adopt Western technology in order to gain power in the world. -
Education reform
The Japanese government reformed the educational system, teaching Western science and math and teaching their children to be loyal to the Emperor and to Japan. This shows some change and some continuity, as the Japanese adopted Western knowledge but also taught their traditions of loyalty to the Emperor. -
Emperor solidifies central government
The Emperor persuaded many of the daimyos to give their land to the government, thus abolishing feudalism. This is change, as the daimyos had existed for many centuries and now they were being abolished. -
Economic reforms
During the time period from 1871-1873, many economic reforms were made, allowing people to own private property, among other things. This shows change, as the Japanese are adapting Western economic policies to help modernize Japan. -
Establishment of the Diet
The Japanese government enacted a constitution in 1889 that created the Diet, a representative body which actually had little control over the government. This shows continuity, as the emperor still has most of the power despite establishing a parliament. -
Japanese Victory in the Sino-Japanese War
The Japanese used their modernized military to defeat Qing China in 1895. The Chinese were defeated, and Japan brought Korea under its control. This is change, as Japan went from isolated to an imperialist nation. -
Russo-Japanese War ends
The Japanese defeated the Russian military in 1905. The Japanese victory was unexpected by most of the West. This is definetely change, as Japan's victory in this war marks a power shift in the Far East.