* Bakumatsu (the last days of the Tokugawa shogunate) *
Matthew C. Perry, Commodore of the US Navy, visited Japan in 1853 and 1854 with a squadron of war vessels called "Kurofune (Black Ships)". And he demanded to open the door to the US. The Tokugawa Shogunate bowed to the pressure and concluded the Treaty of Peace and Amity between the US and Japan that included opening Shimoda and Hakodate ports. The Shogunate then concluded the Treaty of Peace and Amity between the US and Japan in 1858 that included unfavorable articles for Japan. It also concluded similar treaties with other European countries.
That caused sono joi ("Revere the Emperor, expel the barbarians") movement. But it became clear that it was impossible for Japan to expel Western countries, because powerful Hans, e.g. Satsuma Han and Choshu Han lost battles with European countries. Instead, Satsuma and Choshu cooperated each other and tried to overthrow the Shogunate to rebuild Japan under the emperor. But Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the 15th Shogun, announced that it returned it's governing power to the imperial court (Taisei Hokan) to avoid being overthrown. Satsuma and Choshu declared Osei Fukko (Restoration of Imperial Rule), and the new government, including Satsuma and Choshu, decided that it demanded that Yoshinobu resign government post and return shogunate's territory. Former shogunate troops resisted it and fought against the new government (Boshin War 1868-1869). But it was defeated, and the new government unified the nation.
[Modern Japan]
* the Meiji Restoration *
The new government announced new policies as a form of the Emperor's oath in 1868 (Charter Oath). Several political reforms were implemented to modernize Japan. For example, Edo was renamed Tokyo in 1868. In 1871 the government abolished Han and established prefecture instead (Haihan Chiken). To enrich the nation and strengthen the military, the government promoted the modernization of industry. A series of political reforms are called the Meiji Restoration.
And new political system was established. The cabinet system was adopted in 1885. The first modern constitution was promulgated in 1889. And the first Imperial diet was convened in 1890. Japan became a constitutional monarchy.
* Sino-Japanese War *
Japan and the Qing fought a war from 1894 to 1895 because of the conflict over Korea. Japan achieved a victory and concluded the Treaty of Shimonoseki. The treaty guaranteed that (a) Qing recognize the independent of Korea (b) Qing cedes Liaodong Peninsula and Taiwan to Japan (c) Qing pay Japan 200 million Kuping taels as a war indemnity, etc. But Japan was forced to return Liaodong Peninsula because Russia, Germany and France demanded the claim be withdrawn.
* Russo-Japanese War *
Japan and Russia fought a war from 1904 to 1905 because of the conflict over Manchuria and Korea. Japan achieved a victory and signed the Treaty of Portsmouth under the mediation of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. Japan gained dominant power in Korea, control of the southern portion of the Chinese Eastern Railway, etc.
* Japan as a military power *
In 1918 the first party cabinet "Hara Takashi cabinet" was formed. Since then party cabinets had been in power. But the Great Depression leaded to the rise of the military. Japan became a military power. Japan waged war against China and the US but surrendered unconditionally to the Allied Powers in 1945.
[Postwar Japan]
Japan was occupied by Allied Powers, especially US forces. General Headquarters of the Allied Forces was established and it ordered Japanese government to implement many reforms to democratize Japan. Enacting a new constitution was one of them. The three major principles of the new constitution was (a) popular sovereignty (not emperor's sovereignty) (b) respect for fundamental human rights (c) pacifism. The status of the emperor was stated as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." In 1951 US and 45 other Allied nations singed the Treaty of Peace with Japan. Based on the treaty, Japan's autonomy was restored in 1952.
After that Japan enjoyed rapid economic growth from late 1950s and 1960s and became an economic powerhouse.
(End)
A brief outline of Japanese history (1)
A brief outline of Japanese history (2)
A brief outline of Japanese history (3)
A brief outline of Japanese history (4)
