Japanese Miracle
Tokugawa's Control
During the Tokugawa times, Japan was having 250 years of peace. He was a military ruler who wanted to prevent a civil war between the 260 rival lord called the daimyo. These lords had samurai warriors. During this time, the country was controlled and regulated by these men. According to Strayer on page 852, these daimyo local rulers had to leave their families behind and created second homes in Edo, which was the country's capital. Here they lived during alternated years. This was one of Tokugawa's ways to control these rulers.
"Pacified...but not really unified." (Strayer, p. 852) Since the country was not at war, the samurai fighters were not really fighting. However, there were highly paid. Strayer states that Tokugawa created rules to control the country's occupation, residence, dress, and hairstyles. He also made rules to control the four status groups and gave them ranking. Samurai was at the top, then peasants, then artistants, then merchants.
During this times of peace, the country was able to grow economically, commercially, and in urban development (p. 852) There was growth in agricultural activities. The peasants were becoming creative and were able to grow their crops using new ways such as fertilizers and other agricultural innovations. They were able to grow much more rice then ever before.
The country was becoming more educated. According to Strayer on p. 852, these changes gave a good foundation for Japan's industrial growth. Though samurai had status but were in dept, whereas the merchants had the money but had lower status. Things were changing. Many peasants tried to move to the cities to become artistants and merchants, and began to look fashionable. Their ruler did not like this and reminded them to stay in their own class.
During this time, there was a high rise of corruption. After that came the famine. And then, the uprisings and local riots. Their ruler was losing control.
American Intrusion
By early 19th century, the United States and some European countries were trying to come into Japan's ports. However, the Japanese were not willing to let them in, so they jailed and executed some of these intruders. This motivated the United States to sent their Commodore Matthew Perry to demand rights and better treatment. According to Strayer, he demanded "...the right of American vessels to refuel and buy provisions, and the opening of ports for trade (p. 855).
The United States sent nine Black Ships to Japan. There were about 1,800 men on these ships (p. 854). The Japan agreed to a serious of unequal treaties. However, there were some oppositions that lead to civil war.
Meiji Restoration
The turning point for Japan was known as the Meiji Restoration. This was also known as the Enlightened Rule. This was a new government lead by a young emperor that did not want violence or destruction.
This encouraged the country to find unity and get rid of the past rulers such as samurai and daimyo. They were replaced by governors who would report to national government. The central state was to collect taxes. There was a new army with all social classes. All Japanese classes became equal during these changes.
According to Strayer on page 857, "More than in Europe or the United States, the government itself established a number of enterprises, later selling many of them to private investors." The country was going through modernization. The Japanese were now building their railroads, creating postal system, and establishing their national currency and banking system (p. 857).
It was important for United States to come in to Japan. Changes had to be made. This resulted in mutual benefits. The United States and other countries were now able to trade with Japan, and Japan was able to learn from other countries and grow its economy and national confidence.
During the Tokugawa times, Japan was having 250 years of peace. He was a military ruler who wanted to prevent a civil war between the 260 rival lord called the daimyo. These lords had samurai warriors. During this time, the country was controlled and regulated by these men. According to Strayer on page 852, these daimyo local rulers had to leave their families behind and created second homes in Edo, which was the country's capital. Here they lived during alternated years. This was one of Tokugawa's ways to control these rulers.
"Pacified...but not really unified." (Strayer, p. 852) Since the country was not at war, the samurai fighters were not really fighting. However, there were highly paid. Strayer states that Tokugawa created rules to control the country's occupation, residence, dress, and hairstyles. He also made rules to control the four status groups and gave them ranking. Samurai was at the top, then peasants, then artistants, then merchants.
During this times of peace, the country was able to grow economically, commercially, and in urban development (p. 852) There was growth in agricultural activities. The peasants were becoming creative and were able to grow their crops using new ways such as fertilizers and other agricultural innovations. They were able to grow much more rice then ever before.
The country was becoming more educated. According to Strayer on p. 852, these changes gave a good foundation for Japan's industrial growth. Though samurai had status but were in dept, whereas the merchants had the money but had lower status. Things were changing. Many peasants tried to move to the cities to become artistants and merchants, and began to look fashionable. Their ruler did not like this and reminded them to stay in their own class.
During this time, there was a high rise of corruption. After that came the famine. And then, the uprisings and local riots. Their ruler was losing control.
American Intrusion
By early 19th century, the United States and some European countries were trying to come into Japan's ports. However, the Japanese were not willing to let them in, so they jailed and executed some of these intruders. This motivated the United States to sent their Commodore Matthew Perry to demand rights and better treatment. According to Strayer, he demanded "...the right of American vessels to refuel and buy provisions, and the opening of ports for trade (p. 855).
The United States sent nine Black Ships to Japan. There were about 1,800 men on these ships (p. 854). The Japan agreed to a serious of unequal treaties. However, there were some oppositions that lead to civil war.
Meiji Restoration
The turning point for Japan was known as the Meiji Restoration. This was also known as the Enlightened Rule. This was a new government lead by a young emperor that did not want violence or destruction.
This encouraged the country to find unity and get rid of the past rulers such as samurai and daimyo. They were replaced by governors who would report to national government. The central state was to collect taxes. There was a new army with all social classes. All Japanese classes became equal during these changes.
According to Strayer on page 857, "More than in Europe or the United States, the government itself established a number of enterprises, later selling many of them to private investors." The country was going through modernization. The Japanese were now building their railroads, creating postal system, and establishing their national currency and banking system (p. 857).
It was important for United States to come in to Japan. Changes had to be made. This resulted in mutual benefits. The United States and other countries were now able to trade with Japan, and Japan was able to learn from other countries and grow its economy and national confidence.
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