History Term Paper: Political, Social, and Economic Transformations During the Meiji and Taisho Periods in Japan

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Political, Social, and Economic Transformations During the Meiji and Taisho Periods in Japan
In the 19th century, the world witnessed several industrial, social, political, and cultural revolutions. Japan is among the countries that underwent great transformations from the mid-19th to early 20th century. Initially, the country had many competing political dynasties, and people were divided into hierarchal social classes (von Mandach 391). The Tokugawa shogun, the most powerful warlord, used an authoritarian method of leadership that prohibited popular or public participation in administration. Japan was perceived as a secluded or closed country since it had a minimal diplomatic relationship with its neighbor countries and its leaders had limited contact with the outside world (Yang 29). In 1868, Tokugawa shogun lost his power and the emperor was restored to the supreme position. The emperor adopted the name Meiji (enlightened rule) as his reign name. The event is known as the Meiji Restoration in Japanese history. It was a political revolution that was later identified with the subsequent era (1868-1912) of major political, economic, and social transformations that brought about the modernization and westernization of the country. The essay explores some of the significant changes that occurred during the Meiji period and the subsequent Taisho period in Japan.
Political Changes
The establishment of the Meiji government mainly depended upon the efforts of powerful daimyo and samurai, since the emperor himself was just a teenager, aged sixteen. The restoration event consisted of a coup d’état in the ancient imperial capital of Kyoto in 1868 where the perpetrators announced the ouster of Tokugawa and proclaimed the young emperor to be the ruler of Japan (Paine 5). The leaders who were actually in charge of political power comprised of prominent people from the Choshu and Tosa domain, assisted by court officers and other long-serving officers in the shogunate. On April 17, 1868, the emperor announced the Charter Oath as a sign of his commitment to transform Japan into a modern nation-state. The oath was based on western ideologies and pushed for the creation of assemblies, public discussion, and allowing people of all social classes to participate in government (Matsumoto and Tetsuji 15). Also, it allowed people to engage in careers or jobs of interest rather than the traditional occupations that were limited to certain social classes. Generally, the new leadership was ready to openly create and support diplomatic relationships from different countries across the world to improve, enrich, and empower Japan and the Japanese people.
The administrators in the new government introduced important programs and policies to unify the country. For example, the warlord domains were replaced by prefectures (states). Former daimyo who had lost their lands were compensated with large settlements allowing the Meiji government to gain control over the entire country (Kitaoka 6). The hierarchical social class system was formally abolished alongside the special status of the samurai. National leaders declared that all people in Japan were equal citizens. As a result, the government used education and military recruitment to create a common identity and unity among people of different backgrounds and regions (Ghidini 52) All children were required to enroll in elementary schools, and young were allowed to join and serve in the military. A universal conscription law strengthened the national army formed in 1871. Also, the government introduced universal education in the country in 1873, which initially emphasized western learning. These were some of the mechanisms that the new government used to build trust and loyalty amongst the Japanese citizens.
The introduction of universal education and liberal western ideologies encouraged the emergence of popular rights movements in the country. The movements campaigned for the creation of a constitutional government and wider public participation via deliberative assemblies (Cusick 23). In response, the government issued a statement in 1881, promising that a constitution would be created by 1890. It introduced a cabinet system in 1885 and embarked on developing a constitution in 1886. The Meiji Constitution was officially promulgated in 1889 and constituted a bicameral parliament to be elected through a limited voting franchise beginning the following year (Matsumoto and Tetsuji 17). The changes were made in the name of the emperor and national defense, but the loss of privileges resulted in some resentment and rebellion. The last resistance of the traditional samurai warriors and their conservative supporters was defeated in 1877 by the government's newly created army which had trained in European infantry techniques and armed in modern western guns (Paine 27). Despite the challenges, Japan's domestic transforma...