Lessons 26 · 1 lessons · M. Lafasov, U. Jo‘rayev, E. Xoliqov, D. Qodirova. Jahon tarixi (World history), Grade 9, revised 3rd edition. “O‘qituvchi” Publishing House, Tashkent, 2014
26
Japan in the late 19th and early 20th century
Textbook: pp. 90–93
GoalDescribe the Meiji reforms, the 1889 constitution, industrial growth and Japan’s foreign policy.
New words
the Meiji reforms (from 1867–1868): modernisation of Japan on the Western model · Meydzi islohotimodernisation: renewing a country’s economy, institutions and technology · modernizatsiyaTreaty of Shimonoseki (1895) ending the Sino-Japanese War · Simonoseki sulhiuniversal military service (conscription) · umumiy harbiy xizmat
Explanation
The Meiji reforms of 1867–1868 opened the way to a market-based society in Japan. Under Emperor Mutsuhito the country opened to the West, a single currency was introduced, customs barriers between domains were removed, in 1869 all estates were declared equal in law, and a law on universal military service was adopted. The agrarian reform of 1871–1878 allowed free sale of land and replaced the tax in kind with a money tax. Japan bought European machinery ready-made, the state supported industry, textiles grew fast (45 percent of industry in 1890), and heavy industry and monopolies followed. In 1889 a constitution on the Prussian model was adopted: a two-chamber parliament was created, but the emperor kept wide powers and the vote was limited by a property qualification (voting age 25). In foreign policy Japan annexed the Ryukyu Islands (1879), forced Korea to “open” in 1876, defeated China in 1894–1895 and received Taiwan and the Penghu Islands (Treaty of Shimonoseki), defeated Russia in 1904–1905 and annexed Korea in 1910.
Worked examples
Groups of Meiji measures: economic (currency, customs, land sale), social (equality of estates), military (conscription), political (the 1889 constitution).
Order of Japan’s expansion: 1876 Korea; 1879 Ryukyu; 1895 Taiwan; 1905 southern Sakhalin and influence in Korea; 1910 annexation of Korea.
Class activity
“East and West”: write in two columns what Japan took from the West (technology, army system, constitution) and what it kept (emperor, traditions).
Practice
1
When did the Meiji reforms begin and what was their main aim?
In 1867–1868; to rebuild society on the Western model while keeping national traditions.
2
On the model of which state was the 1889 constitution made and what parliament did it set up?
On the Prussian model; a two-chamber parliament (House of Peers and House of Representatives).
3
What did China agree to under the Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895)?
It recognised Korea’s independence, ceded Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan and paid an indemnity.
4
Why did Japan rely on state support in developing industry?
Private capital was scarce; the state bought machinery, built factories and later passed them to entrepreneurs, speeding growth.