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Ban on Western Books Ends
The end of Western book bans marks a change in Japan. The ban on Western books was a part of the isolation of Japan toward the world and especially the west. The end of these book bans also spurred the "Dutch Studies" group, that promoted western education and ideas in Japan, slowly gaining ground of the more popular Confucianism. -
Matthew Perry's Expedition to Edo Bay
The expedition on Edo Bay marks a change in Japan, as they were forced to stop their isolationism and open trade with the United States. Similar to what Britian did to China in the Opium wars, America sought to open trade with Japan using threats from their superior navy. The American commodore won over Japan and opened trade with them. -
Japanese Civil War
The Japanese civil war shows a continuity because it shows the samurai reasserting themselves as powerful parts of Japanese society. This civil war was started by the samurai who were feeling threatened by the foreigners. They attacked and murdered foreigners, as well as defeating a shogunate force, with the use of American Civil War surplus weapons. -
Mutsuhito is Named Emperor
The Meiji state, with Mutsuhito as Emperor, set force huge changes in Japan. They appointed prefectures. which are still evident in Japan today. They also set about abolishing feudalism and replacing daimyos, as well as abolishing samurai who revolted but lost.They also sent officials abroad to learn about the world, especially the West. -
Ministry of Industry is Established in Japan
The establishment of the Ministry of Industry is a drastic and important change in Japan's history. The Ministry helped control all the foreign help needed to grow Japan's industry, as well as setting economic policy. The Ministry helped set up a foundation for the Japanese industry to grow on. -
Education Reforms in Japan
The education reforms in Japan mark a continuity in Japan. Although hundreds of Western professors were brought in, this triggered reformists to step back and emphasize some the traditional Japanese morals such as love of their country, the Imperial House, and respect toward parents and superiors. -
Feudalism Begins to be Abolished
Abolishment of feudalism shows a change, as it was the governmental system that controlled Japan for years. When the Meiji came into power, they set about a social revolution and abolished the samurai class and the stipends that they received from the government. -
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Sino-Japanese War
This is a change because it shows Japan's growing interference in the world. This also displays Japan's new imperialism, likely influenced by the Western contacts. -
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Russo-Japanese War
This is a change because it, again, shows Japan's new part in world issues and conflicts. To exert their new military powers, they fought the Asia hungry Russians, and defeated them, despite Japan being much smaller, they had a better militay. -
Japan Annexes Korea
This shows a change because previously Japan had not fully annexed any other country. Japan's annexation of Korea shows the new Japanese imperialism and exertion as a force within the world, particularly the West.