Review article

Meiji Restoration in Japan

Karlo Kimer ; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Abstract

This paper brings a short historical review of the Shogunate with the aim of explaining the
causes of its demise. Meiji restoration is one of the most important events in the Japanese history,
where the transition from one ruling system to another can be observed. This paper explains how
low ranking samurai, dissatisfied with their position, and marginalized tozama daimyos, under leadership
of domains Satsuma and Choshu, had organized coup d’état in 1868 and had started Boshin
war against remaining domains who were faithful to Shogun. It is important to mention Western
powers, which assisted in accelerating the events that were to come and which were responsible
for the development of a paranoid, nationalist ideology. The consequences of Meiji restoration and
government’s successful struggles to modernize Japan in short period of time are also mentioned
in the paper.

Keywords

Shogunate; Western powers; opening, Emperor’s restoration; coup d’état; modernization; 19th century

Hrčak ID:

212880

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/212880

Publication date:

17.12.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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