Changes

In order to stabilise the new government, the former [[feudal]] landlords  were required to return ownership of all their lands to the control of the Emperor. This process was completed by 1870 and thereafter was followed by the restructuring of the country into [[prefecture]]s, which still exist to this day. The education system was remodeled, based firstly upon the French and later the German schooling systems. During this time, compulsory education was introduced. In addition, many Japanese scholars and politicians were sent abroad to study the Western education and political systems and to research new and existing technologies present in Europe and North America. At the same time, many  Westerners were invited to Japan to help build and develop new industries there.<ref>K. B. Pyle, The New Generation in Meiji Japan (1969)</ref>

In order to stabilise the new government, the former [[feudal]] landlords  were required to return ownership of all their lands to the control of the Emperor. This process was completed by 1870 and thereafter was followed by the restructuring of the country into [[prefecture]]s, which still exist to this day. The education system was remodeled, based firstly upon the French and later the German schooling systems. During this time, compulsory education was introduced. In addition, many Japanese scholars and politicians were sent abroad to study the Western education and political systems and to research new and existing technologies present in Europe and North America. At the same time, many  Westerners were invited to Japan to help build and develop new industries there.<ref>K. B. Pyle, The New Generation in Meiji Japan (1969)</ref>

It was around this time that industries such as beer brewing, dairy production and Japan's first railway system were introduced, all under the supervision of Westerners. Large government investments were undertaken to improve infrastructure. The transportation and communication networks in particular benefited from this funding. In addition, the government also directly supported the growth of business and industry, paying attention to the large and powerful family businesses, ''[[zaibatsu]]'' (<font size=3>財閥</font>) lit. "financial clique"), in particular.<ref>Wall, Rachel F.,  Japan's Century: An Interpretation of Japanese History since the Eighteen-fifties (1971)</ref>

It was around this time that industries such as beer brewing, dairy production and Japan's first railway system were introduced, all under the supervision of Westerners. Large government investments were undertaken to improve infrastructure. The transportation and communication networks in particular benefited from this funding. In addition, the government also directly supported the growth of business and industry, paying attention to the large and powerful family businesses, ''[[zaibatsu]]'' (<font size=3>財閥</font>) lit. ("financial clique"), in particular.<ref>Wall, Rachel F.,  Japan's Century: An Interpretation of Japanese History since the Eighteen-fifties (1971)</ref>

At the same time, Japan prioritised the development of her military, as a counter-measure to the European and American imperialist forces holding sway in the region at the time. The army was remodeled on the Prussian example and universal conscription was introduced, and later the new navy was structured on similar principles to Britain’s Royal Navy.

At the same time, Japan prioritised the development of her military, as a counter-measure to the European and American imperialist forces holding sway in the region at the time. The army was remodeled on the Prussian example and universal conscription was introduced, and later the new navy was structured on similar principles to Britain’s Royal Navy.

A couple of decades into this period of intensive Westernisation, conservative and nationalistic feelings began to strengthen again. The principles of [[Confucianism]] and [[Shinto]], including the worship of the Emperor, were taught with increasing emphasis at educational institutions.

A couple of decades into this period of intensive Westernisation, conservative and nationalistic feelings began to strengthen again. The principles of [[Confucianism]] and [[Shinto]], including the worship of the Emperor, were taught with increasing emphasis at educational institutions.

The extensive government spending led to a financial crisis in the mid 1880's, which was followed by a reform of the currency system and the establishment of the [[Bank of Japan]].

The extensive government spending led to a financial crisis in the mid 1880s, which was followed by a reform of the currency system and the establishment of the [[Bank of Japan]].

In spite of the increasing industrialisation of the country, the textile industry grew at the fastest rate and remained the largest Japanese industry until [[World War 2]]. Work conditions in the early factories were poor, but developing socialist and liberal movements were soon suppressed by the ruling clique, thus not only preventing any significant improvement in working conditions, but resulting in a largely subservient and obedient workforce. Combined with the increasing emphasis on Emperor-worship, it could be argued that even at this early date, the seeds had been sown for the fanaticism shown in the build up to, and during, World War 2.<ref>M. Umegaki, After the Restoration: The Beginning of Japan's Modern State (1988)</ref>

In spite of the increasing industrialisation of the country, the textile industry grew at the fastest rate and remained the largest Japanese industry until [[World War 2]]. Work conditions in the early factories were poor, but developing socialist and liberal movements were soon suppressed by the ruling clique, thus not only preventing any significant improvement in working conditions, but resulting in a largely subservient and obedient workforce. Combined with the increasing emphasis on Emperor-worship, it could be argued that even at this early date, the seeds had been sown for the fanaticism shown in the buildup to, and during, World War 2.<ref>M. Umegaki, After the Restoration: The Beginning of Japan's Modern State (1988)</ref>

== Politics ==

== Politics ==

[[Japan]] adopted its first [[European]]-style [[constitution]] in 1889. A parliament, the [[Diet]] was established, although the [[Emperor]] maintained his sovereignty - On paper he headed up all arms of the military, as well as wielding executive and legislative power. The ruling clique, however, kept a firm hold on the reigns of actual power, and the intelligent and capable Emperor [[Meiji]] approved the majority of their actions. A lack of unity among their members prevented the various political parties from wielding any significant power.

[[Japan]] adopted its first [[European]]-style [[constitution]] in 1889. A parliament, the [[Diet]] was established, although the [[Emperor]] maintained his sovereignty - On paper he headed up all arms of the military, as well as wielding executive and legislative power. The ruling clique, however, kept a firm hold on the reigns of actual power, and the intelligent and capable Emperor [[Meiji]] approved the majority of their actions. A lack of unity among their members prevented the various political parties from wielding any significant power.

Conflicts of interests in [[Korea]], between [[China]] and [[Japan]] gave rise to to the [[Sino-Japanese War]] in 1894-95. Japan defeated China, but was forced by [[Russia]], [[France]] and [[Germany]] to relinquish the territories she’d captured,in the end only managing to annex [[Taiwan]]. This so-called [[Triple Intervention]] led to a stiffening of resolve by the Japanese against the western imperial powers, and an intensification of the build-up of the army and navy.

Conflicts of interests in [[Korea]], between [[China]] and [[Japan]] gave rise to the [[Sino-Japanese War]] in 1894-95. Japan defeated China, but was forced by [[Russia]], [[France]] and [[Germany]] to relinquish the territories she’d captured,in the end only managing to annex [[Taiwan]]. This so-called [[Triple Intervention]] led to a stiffening of resolve by the Japanese against the western imperial powers, and an intensification of the build-up of the army and navy.

New conflicts of interests in [[Korea]] and [[Manchuria]], this time between [[Russia]] and [[Japan]], led to the [[Russo-Japanese War]] in 1904-05. The Japanese army was once again victorious, thus gaining additional territories, including the full annexation of [[Korea]] in 1910, and international respect. The successes in the recent wars resulted in a surge of nationalism, which filtered through to other Asian nations, which also started to develop national self confidence and identity. In addition, it finally allowed Japan to declare the one-sided treaties with the West null and void, and emerge as a world power.<ref>M. Umegaki, After the Restoration: The Beginning of Japan's Modern State (1988)</ref>

New conflicts of interests in [[Korea]] and [[Manchuria]], this time between [[Russia]] and [[Japan]], led to the [[Russo-Japanese War]] in 1904-05. The Japanese army was once again victorious, thus gaining additional territories, including the full annexation of [[Korea]] in 1910, and international respect. The successes in the recent wars resulted in a surge of nationalism, which filtered through to other Asian nations, which also started to develop national self-confidence and identity. In addition, it finally allowed Japan to declare the one-sided treaties with the West null and void, and emerge as a world power.<ref>M. Umegaki, After the Restoration: The Beginning of Japan's Modern State (1988)</ref>

== End of an Era ==

== End of an Era ==