Meiji Japan Chapter 5

Meiji Japan Chapter 5: How Did Outside Influence Create a Crisis?

Created by: Ms. D. Reiffenstein

Based on text: Our Worldviews

February 4, 2008

Outside Influence Creates a Crisis

Outside contact was bound to happen for Japan

The shogun and Bakufu believed that they would have less power if they abandoned their isolation policy.

They also feared they would lose their sovereignty.

Russia’s Influence…

Russia began to look to the Pacific Coast for trade as it was difficult to supply their outposts in central north Asia with food and supplies.

Fortunately for Japan, Russia became involved in wars in Europe and turned it’s focus there.

The Ainu

The Ainu are descendants of Japan’s first indigenous people called the Jomon. They are believed to have come from Russia 25000 years ago.

Ainu peoples appearance is more like a Europeans- they have more hair, lighter skin and different facial characteristics.

They speak a different language.

Ainu

The Ainu originally occupied the territory from northern Honshu islands to the Kamchatka Peninsula.

They were self-sufficient fishermen, hunters and food collectors.

They became involved with trading furs and goods with the Chinese and Russians.

Under the Tokugawa Shoguns (1683-1867)

The Ainu were forced to sign an agreement that gave the Japanese the right to fish, hunt, and log their lands.

Their lives were greatly altered- they could no longer have their own trade agreements with whomever they chose.

They were forced to remain separate from Japanese society.

Life under the Meiji Government (1867- 1912)

Japan’s concern about Russia to the north forced them to declare Hokkaido a colony of Japan.

The Ainu lost their political independence and were forced to assimilate with the Japanese.

Their customs were forbidden and their traditional way of life was suppressed.

In 1992 the United nations recognized the Ainu as Japan’s aboriginal nation.

Japan - The Despised Ainu People

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYEhubSOtcI– The following is a report on the Ainu People and

was created by Journeyman Pictures. It is 12 minutes 52 seconds

European Influence (1799-1815)

Dutch traders where the only Europeans allowed to set foot in Japan.

The Dutch East India Company operated almost independently of Holland’s government.

They decided to hire ships from other countries and told them to raise Dutch flags and hide their bibles.

Japanese High Level Government Officials Learn About the West

They started to import books on European history, institutions, military science and other sciences.

They began learning French, Russian and English. They believed they were similar.

They noticed that all Europeans dressed in a similar manner and concluded there must be one European superpower.

Japan’s Response (Don’t think Twice)

The Bakufu decided to expel foreigners. 1825 a new edict was created by Takahashi-

a government official. He had learned that other countries did not

allow foreign ships to dock without proper papers and protocols.

China’s Influence

1842 China lost a war with Britain. They were forced to sign a treaty that gave Britain special privileges for trading that did not treat China as an equal.

This was a humiliation for China as they were seen as weak and to add insult Britain extended their trade rights to all Western nations that wanted to trade with China.

Japan’s Response (Retreat and Ignore)

The Bakufu viewed China as a powerful country, they now realized how powerful the English forces were.

They feared they may be invaded by Britain and other Western nations if they didn’t start to negotiate with them.

1844 King William II of the Netherlands sent a letter to the Bakufu warning them of this.

The United State’s Influence (1845-63)

Japan was on the trade route to China. Americans wanted to set up a coal station at

one of Japan’s ports so they could get fuel for their steam-ships.

The USA wanted assistance for US sailors shipwrecked on Japan’s shores. Japan had previously refused to help them.

Japan’s Response (Internal Unrest)

The Bakufu and Samurai had heated debates about conceding to the requests of the USA.

Japan was pressured to sign treaties with Russia, Britain, France, and Russia.

Many Japanese felt the Shogun was no longer in control and had been humiliated.

Isolation was no longer possible. Japan’s leaders decided it needed to compete with the West in order to protect Japan’s sovereignty.