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-Politics-Economy-

Opium is an addictive drug and the Chinese government did not like the effects of, as they wanted to ban it the British wanted to continue the sales in order to make money. These two side created conflict leading into war. China could not beat them and ended up giving the rights and Hong Kong to Britain. Japan was cautious after seeing the dominant power in the region, as China, a huge country was defeated by a smaller country. This changed Japan's views on dealing with other countries and to be careful to not end up like China. Creating a political caution to not destroy their economy and give up land. Japan was on their toes and ready for dealing with outsiders.

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1844 - Netherlands sends letters  (King Willem II)

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1844 - Netherlands sends letters  (King Willem II)

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Many countries were appearing in Japanese seas and none had made direct contact. With curiosity the king of Netherlands sent letters to the Bakafu regarding trade. Japan was still isolated and no one really knew what they were all about. No one knew what was hidden in store, alliance with Japan could give huge advantages. This was one of the first outside pressures Japan was being faced with

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Why did Japan want to change?

Challenging traditional values

-Economics-Politics-

Commodore Perry was the first American making direct contact to Japanese officials. Arriving on steamships, which were already a new sight to Japan. Following manifest destiny, Perry didn't know what he was getting in to. The amount of men he brought were also quite astonishing, almost 1000. Initially Perry was looking for trade relations but that wasn't the only thing he created. After the 250 years of isolation commodore Perry basically opened up the gates . A year later an agreement was made to permanently open up Japanese ports. These ports brought in more than just trade goods, but ideas and different world views brought from the West. Trading obviously widened the Japanese economy but the Americans showed how advanced they were. Political relations between Japan and US made Japan made change happening, although some Japanese were unhappy with the treaties and calling them unfair. Making the Japanese to come to realization of how the isolation was holding them back from reaching their max potential.

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-Economics-Politics-

This was a changing treaty to the Japanese, the first official relation created with an outsider. In this case it was the US, represented by Commodore Perry. Not only did it open two ports to the Americans but it stated the they would also receive any privileges that were granted to any other country. Japan was known to be a strong nation throughout its isolation but now signing this treaty made the citizens feel that the shogunate was weak. Why should they relay on another nation? They were doing well while isolated. These kinds of ideas were considered by the Japanese, later leading to rebellion towards the Shogun.

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-Social-Politics-Economy

Edo vs Meiji

In the Edo period Samurai and Daimyo held a lot of power and commoners were much lower in society.

In the Meiji period the Oath opened up Japan for more equal opportunities throughout the society.

The Oath aimed to create many more opportunities throughout Japan. In order to create a strong nation you must have a strong society. Allowing people freedom to pursue their interest allows for more equal ways for citizens to create some income. This also brought people together making internal strength. As Samurai lost power they were working among these kinds of people. The social structure had a more diverse way for people like commoners to even better their status.

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Challenging traditional values

Edo vs Meiji

-Politics-Social-

In the Edo period the Shogun held the real power, controlling the military and feared by the bottom class.

In the Meiji period the Emporer took power, Japan created strong central control with 1 main ruler, similar to Western type democracy.

The Tokugawa Shogunate ruled Japan for more than 260 years. The pressure form inside of Japan was rising as the arrival of Perry. The people of Japan saw the unfair way that the officials were running the country.Signing treaties with the Americans made the Shogun seem weak. Respect for the shogun was lost in an effort for change. Tons of perspective were set on how the new government should be, some groups of citizens took a violent approach. After all the chaos the Shogun stepped down in order for the Emperor to take control. With Western influence the Japanese government became centralized in Edo, now known as Tokyo.

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-Social-Political-

Being isolated for so long limited education to the internal knowledge of Japan teaching the residents. As a young girl Tsuda was sent to the United States pursuing higher education. Being one of the first Japanese on American soil created a first impression and good political relations. As she became older and arrived back to Japan she came to realize that the amount of women not receiving good education was unfair. With Japan on the rise of Westernization she decided it was time for an educational change. The higher the level of knowledge throughout all the women. After herself getting a strong education funds were raised to help others. Education created a stronger nation in which she had developed. The position of women in Japan's social structure was increased due to this education opening up more opportunities for them.

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Differences between Meiji and Edo:

Challenging traditional values

-Politics-Economy-

In the Edo period the power was based around the shogun and daimyo who had military power. Slowly the armies decreased in size and too much was needed to maintain.

In the Meiji the Edict for Conscription was made to force men to join the army. They were so low on military power, once they saw armies such as Perry's. This also abolished the power of the samurai since almost every other person was one. The Japanese studied foreign military strategies from Germany and Britain.

How did the organization structure of Japan change?

Samurais were not receiving the same privileges and benefits that they were used to getting. Even their place in the economy was downgraded to middle class. The people the were samurai pre-Edict were unhappy with this change, some even ended up doing normal work or making businesses.

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Challenging traditions

-Economy-Social-

Edo vs Meiji

In the Edo period Japan being isolated held them back from learning about new ways to advance their technology

In the Meiji period

Industrialization happens over a long time, Japan was very successful. Even today we used Japanese technology. When the Americans first arrived in Japan they had felt that they were transferred back in time. Opening up to the US had benefits for Japan, such as the technology Perry introduced. Japan is familiar to borrowing, as they adopted religions like Buddhism, but now they were borrowing technology to push their society forward. As they had seen that they would stand no chance to outside forces such as Perry's army in a battle with their own technologies. Making new machinery required people to run them, making new jobs or positions in Japans structure. Working factory styled jobs also created income to raise economic value with all of the new technology. Japan like the new inventions and representitives even went to the West to study and learn more about advanced technologies

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-Social-Politics-

Through this time Japan was experiencing rapid changes, or "Westernization". Daily life was being altered to Western ways. Traditions were being lost and people of Japan did not like this. Japan wanted to slow things down to bring back the authentic Japan and not another Western civilization. Synthesizing the old and new, a constitution was created where the emperors power was higher and to be worshiped. People were given a few rights, such as freedom of speech and practice of any religion. The political system was changed where decisions that affected the people would benefit the people as they could elect the representatives, a new position in the structure of Japan. This allowed for wiser decisions and a happy society.