-
Tokugawa Shogunate Established
The first Tokugawa Shogunate was Tokugawa Ieyasu, who rose to power following the Battle of Sekigahara in 1603. Ieyasu was a triple threat as he was a statesman, warrior, and founder of the Tokugawa dynasty of shoguns. He is one of the most prominent figures in Japanese history today -
Ban of Christianity
"In 1614, a strict nationwide ban on Christianity was issued." (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50414472) The ban was issued because the Tokugawa shogunate saw the religion as a threat to its authority and social order. -
Period: to
The Sakoku Policy
Japan enforces strict isolation, limiting foreign contact primarily to the Dutch and Chinese at Nagasaki. -
The Arrival of Perry
The United States government sent American Commodore Matthew Perry to open Japan to trade, largely driven by the desire to establish American influence in the Pacific and secure trade routes. -
Treaty of Kanagawa
The Treaty of Kanagawa was Japan's first-ever treaty with a Western nation. The treaty marked the end of Japan's period of seclusion, opening two ports for trade. This event set the stage for many agreements and treaties with western powers. -
Ansei Treaties
The Ansei Treaties were multiples of series signed in 1853 which gave other nations access to Japan's ports for trade. Wikipedia states that "The first treaty, also called the Harris Treaty, was signed by the United States in July 1858, with France, Russia, Britain and the Netherlands quickly followed within the year." Source -
The End of the Shogunate
Tokugawa Yoshinobu was the last shogunate of Japan. According to Wikipedia, “He was part of a movement which aimed to reform the aging shogunate, but was ultimately unsuccessful”. When he resigned, the emperor was restored to power, ending the period. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokugawa_Yoshinobu) -
The Meiji Restoration
The Meiji Restoration began in 1868 and was one of the largest metamorphoses of Japanese society and culture. It transitioned their civilization from one ruled by the Tokugawa Shogunate to an Imperial government ruled by Emperor Meiji. This time of change was triggered by the unrest of the Japanese citizens who were worried the Shogunate would be unable to resist change pushed by Western powers. The restoration wanted to modernize Japan to compete with Western powers. -
Abolition of the Feudal System
Japanese feudalism came to an end in the mid-19th century as Japan began engaging with foreign nations and embraced modern industrial methods. -
Destruction of the Samurai Class
In 1871, the emperor Meiji came into power and abolished the samurai system, making the Samurai Class lose their privileges and stipends. As the highest rank in the feudal system, samurai were not only elite warriors but also held significant political and administrative power, shaping Japan’s military, social, and political landscape from the 12th to the early 17th century. -
Conscription Law
Wikipedia explains that "The Conscription Law established on January 10, 1873, made military service mandatory for all men in their twenties to enlist." This law was part of the Meiji government's efforts to modernize Japan, transitioning from a military system dominated by the samurai to a system similar to western nations. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_military_modernization_of_1868%E2%80%931931#:~:text=Among%20their%20goals%20were%20to,in%20their%20twenties%20to%20enlist.) -
Meiji Constitution
In 1889, a new constitution was created, making a monarchy with the emperor as the head of state, while a national parliament was established. Under the constitution, Japan experienced a period of political and social reform. In addition, westernization started to strengthen Japan, improving the country and transforming it to the level of the nations of the Western world. -
Period: to
First Sino-Japanese War
The First Sino-Japanese War was a fight between China’s Qing dynasty and Japan, mostly over control of Korea. Japan won, which raised its status as a rising power, while the Qing dynasty started to weaken. -
Period: to
The Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) was a conflict between Russia and Japan, mainly over territorial disputes in Manchuria and Korea. Both nations had ambitions in the region, but Japan was victorious. The defeat was disappointing to Russia, exposing its military weaknesses. Japan’s victory marked its rise as a major power in East Asia. For Russia, the war's loss was a key factor leading to the Russian Revolution of 1905