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, th...