Meiji+Restoration

The Meiji Restoration was the period in Japanses history (late 19th century) that caused the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and returned power to direct imperial rule under Emperor Meiji. It was also the beginning of the Meiji Period. The Meiji Restoration led to the modernization and westernization of Japan. The arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry's ships opened Japan and helped propel these changes. The Meiji government made many important changes including centralizing power by abolishing feudalism, appointing prefects, and sending officials abroad. Many new political and social developments followed including the reorganization of the bureaucracy and a new parliament (Diet). This new government also managed to incorporate major business leaders into its structure, which resulted in a great level of industrialization and a government initiative that dominated manufacturing.
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Back to Units 7 & 8 Terms By Hampton Webb - 2/12/09 Edited by Allie Pinosky 1.12.09

Sources: Text and http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/373305/Meiji-Restoration