Changes

{{copyvio}}The phrase '''Meiji restoration''' ''(明治維新 Meiji-ishin)'' refers to both the events of 1868 that led to the “restoration” of power to the emperor, as well as the entire period of revolutionary changes that coincided with the [[Meiji]] emperor's reign (1868–1912)<ref>W. G. Beasley, The Meiji Restoration (1972)</ref>.<br />

The phrase '''Meiji restoration''' ''(明治維新 Meiji-ishin)'' refers to both the events of 1868 that led to the “restoration” of power to the emperor, as well as the entire period of revolutionary changes that coincided with the [[Meiji]] emperor's reign (1868–1912)<ref>W. G. Beasley, The Meiji Restoration (1972)</ref>.<br />

== History ==

== History ==

The intrusion of Western powers, particularly the Americans under Admiral [[Matthew C. Perry]], precipitated further discontent. copied from the [http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Meijires.html]

The intrusion of Western powers, particularly the Americans under Admiral [[Matthew C. Perry]], precipitated further discontent. Under pressure, the Tokugawa shogunate submitted in 1854 to foreign demands and signed treaties that ended Japan's isolation. Like other subjugated Asian nations, these treaties with the Western powers were extremely unequal, granting the Westerners one-sided economical and legal advantages in Japan. In order to regain independence from the [[Europeans]] and [[Americans]] and establish herself as a respected nation in the world, Meiji Japan was determined to close the gap to the Western powers economically and militarily. Drastic reforms were carried out in practically all areas.<ref>K. B. Pyle, The New Generation in Meiji Japan (1969)</ref><br />

Under pressure, the Tokugawa shogunate submitted in 1854 to foreign demands and signed treaties that ended Japan's isolation. Like other subjugated Asian nations, these treaties with the Western powers were extremely unequal, granting the Westerners one-sided economical and legal advantages in Japan. In order to regain independence from the [[Europeans]] and [[Americans]] and establish herself as a respected nation in the world, Meiji Japan was determined to close the gap to the Western powers economically and militarily. Drastic reforms were carried out in practically all areas.<ref>K. B. Pyle, The New Generation in Meiji Japan (1969)</ref><br />

The powerful [[Choshu]] and [[Satsuma]] domains of Western Japan tried to resist the foreigners on their own and were finally defeated in 1863. These domains, excluded from the Tokugawa governing councils because of their status as [[tozama]], or outside daimyo, then demanded creation of a new government loyal to the emperor to expel the foreigners. In January 1868, [[Samurai]] from these domains, with the support of anti-Tokugawa court nobles, succeeded in a palace coup that abolished the shogunate and “returned” power to the emperor. The court was moved from Kyoto to Edo (later renamed Tokyo, meaning Eastern Capital), where a centralized administration was created.<br />

The powerful [[Choshu]] and [[Satsuma]] domains of Western Japan tried to resist the foreigners on their own and were finally defeated in 1863. These domains, excluded from the Tokugawa governing councils because of their status as [[tozama]], or outside daimyo, then demanded creation of a new government loyal to the emperor to expel the foreigners. In January 1868, [[Samurai]] from these domains, with the support of anti-Tokugawa court nobles, succeeded in a palace coup that abolished the shogunate and “returned” power to the emperor. The court was moved from Kyoto to Edo (later renamed Tokyo, meaning Eastern Capital), where a centralized administration was created.<br />