Meiji Restoration: The Opening of Japan
Historical Significance
The Meiji Restoration is historically significant because it opened the doors of the modern world to Japan which led to numerous events.
New Industrial Power
Tokyo 1912
The Meiji Restoration was immediately significant because it made Japan into an industrial and imperial power. Now the stage was set for Japan to compete with Western nations to gain land through Imperialism, and to augment their economy through international trade.
World War 2
Japanese Planes used in WW2
The Meiji Restoration set the stage for Japan in World War Two. Japan was now a national power with a modern military and was prepared for war. Japan also had built up resentment towards the U.S. over the mockery of the unequal treaties made in the 1850s which was a factor in Japan deciding to ally against the U.S..
Military Strategy
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese used similar military strategies in future wars that were devised in the Meiji Restoration. For example the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was very similar to the surprise attack on Port Aurthur during the Russo-Japanese war.
Japan Today
Tokyo Today
The Meiji Restoration led Japan to be what it is today by turning it into an industrial power. Today, Japan is one of the world's leading economies. In a time period of approximately 50 years Japan transformed from a medieval society to a competitive, industrialized nation. Although they achieved industrial success, they also suffered major consequences and failures to achieve that success.
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