throughout 1800s → prior to Meiji period → Japan had seen the powerful European nations taking advantage of china because of its political instability.
- European powers → forced china to sign unfair treaties → which gave them access to and control over Chinese treaty ports. Japan → viewed these developments with concerns.
By 1850s → Japan had itself encountered US technological might → when ships from US navy → sailed into Tokyo bay.
- United states → demanded Japan sign treaties which would give it more opportunities for trade. → Japan recognized that US was willing to use force to ensure signing of the treaties and gave in.
1868 → Shogun lost his power and emperor Meiji took control of the government. with this → Meiji Period started. → was an era of modernisation in Japan with major political, Economic, and Social changes that would set stage for eventual failure of democracy in Japan.
Under Meiji Japan, these following changes happened:
- *Economic Modernization
- Political Change
- Social Change
- Education System
- Japan and the World; 1868 - 1912