Was the Meiji Restoration a revolution? Be sure to define revolution and to support your opinion with evidence from the the fishbowl discussion and other class activities.
The Meiji Restoration was indeed a revolution. Granted, there is a general set of guidelines for a revolution, but by no means is it mandatory that they are obeyed. This is to say that although many previous revolutions displayed similar atributes, the Meiji Restoration did not. There are several reasons why this may be the case, namely, commoners did not spark the Meiji Restoration, as they had others. This led the revolution to be quite literally less bloody, as the violence was very much politically contained. The Meiji Restoration was also undoubtedly revolutionary because it entirely changed the country that was Japan. The government shifted power positions and the people as a whole became more unified. Suddenly, there was a new air about the archipelago. It was nationalistic, it was ethnocentric, and it was Japan. Just because it isn't identical to its predecessors doesn't mean the Meiji Restoration wasn't a revolution. It drastically moved Japan, and therefore was the quintessence of revolutionary.
According to wikipedia, a revolution is a forcible overthrow of a government or social order for a new system. The Meiji restoration was a revolution. It resulted in a change in government, politics, and economy. For example, the government mind set changed from family based to merit based. Another huge change after this is that the whole country modernized as well. They soon became a global super power while overthrowing places like China and Manchuria. More support for the revolution side is that violence took place to institute some of the advancements just like in the other revolutions. Even though other major revolutions were triggered by commoners and this happened to be driven from the top, it still built Japan's nationalism and made major changes as a nation.
Yes I do believe that the Meiji Restoration was a revolution. A revolution can be defined as a political, and economic reform within a country and its culture. I believed it was a revolution because its outlook on politics and lineage or succession to the throne changed. In addition its economy from being a more agricultural society evolved into one incorporating western ideals, such as trade. Some may argue that it was not a revolution because it did not change as drastically has other revolutions such as the ones in Russia and France. However the changes greatly impacted Japan due to its small size, while you have the other countries as being power houses in all aspects.
The Meiji Restoration was a revolution even though compared to the other historic revolution such as the French or American there was less bloodshed. There were massive changes that constitute a revolution such as the opening and modernizing of the economy. Also because it became a global power. If it was not a revolution than the transformation into a global power would not have occurred or at least at the rate that it occurred because still that was a massive change showing that even though there was not bloodshed their system revolutionized.
In my opinion, the Meiji Restoration was definitely a revolution. "Revolution" seems to be a very broad term considering it is used to define revolutions as huge and monumental as the French and American where numerous individuals were killed and other countries had to become involved. However, there are other types of revolutions that are far smaller and less destructive such as the industrial revolution. No one was killed or faced with violence in this revolution and yet it is stilled termed the "Industrial Revolution." The Meiji Restoration is much like the industrial revolution in the way it caused no violence but still caused major alterations. Even though the commoners were not the driving factor of the restoration, they still were affected to the point of a revolution. The restoration changed Japan politically, economically, socially, and religiously. It was not until now that Shinto became the official religion. Also, a country that never used to be powerful began to flourish economically and soon became one of the major expanders of the century. The idea of Japanese unity and nationalism also arose during this time; an idea that remains incredibly prevalent in Japan even today.
The Meiji Restoration was indeed a revolution. A revolution is a period of major change. The Meiji Restoration demonstrates exactly that. During the Meiji Restoration, there were major changes all around in Japan. A new system of government took place as the emperor regained power. Also, while maybe not as violent as other revolutions, there was still violence in the Meiji Restoration. There were also changes in social classes and education that prove this theory. Also, the Meiji Restoration contains elements also found in the French Revolution. It also led to a rapid increase in Japanese nationalism. As a result, Japan was quickly attacking other nations, something they could not do prior to the restoration. Overall, great changes occurred in Japan during and after the Meiji Restoration. These changes prove that the Meiji Restoration was indeed a revolution.
I think that the Meiji Restoration was a revolution because of how the samurai got overthrown by the government. A revolution can be described as a repudiation through replacement of an established government. The overall perception of politics and their views and beliefs were the major cause to overthrow this type of establishment. They also have been compared to other more violent revolutions such as the French and Russian revolution. Also the restoration accelerated industrialization in Japan and led to a military rise in 1905. Japans isolation from the other countries doesn't imply that Japan did get these ideas from the revolutions that happend in bigger countries like France. This had a major affect on Japan's outcome as a nation.
Yes, I believe that the Meiji Restoration was a revolution. Although the consequences of the restoration were not as drastic as the results of previous revolutions, such as the French Revolution, the meiji restoration acted as a major catalyst for political and economic reform. A revolution is the class struggle expected to lead political change and the triumph of a government. The Meiji Restoration did exactly that. Although the revolution was not as much an internal struggle as it was intended to provoke modernization in response to the development of countries around them, only some violence initiated the reform which is the argument against considering the restoration as a revolution. However the definition proves that a revolution can simply be the demand for change. The Meiji Restoration demanded that Japan change its government and politics in order to compete with western nations and become more successful politically and economically.
According to internet sources, a revolution is a forcible overthrow of a government or social order for a new system. Based on this definition, I do not believe that the Restoration was really a revolution. To support this, the facts show that there was little force of peoples during the Restoration. According to our learnings, the Restoration was accepted by a mass majority of the Japanese population. Though it was definitely a overthrow of the change of social order in the country, there was no force, so it could not have been a revolution.
Revolution is defined as, "an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed" (Dictionary.com). In many aspects the Meji Restoration was a revolution, however, in my personel opinion I believe that the Meji Restoration was not a revolution. I think that it was not a revolution because it re-established a figure head, the Emperor, as the official power source instead of the Samurai. A revolution usually comprises of large amounts of blood shed such as during the French Revolution where hundreds of people were tried and killed by the guillotine and blood literally ran through the streets of Paris. However, in the Meji Restoration there was very minimal blood shed. Also usually a revolution is associated with a lower class uprising against a leader, but in the Meji Restorations case it was a figure head rebelling against another leader. Overall, I would not categorize as a revolution, but as a forced change in leadership.
The Webster's Dictionary defines a revolution as " a dramatic and wide-reaching change in the way something works or is organized," (Webster). According to the content of the definition, the Meiji Restoration did if fact meet the criteria of a revolution. The revolution instituted the national religion of Shinto after reinstating the Emperor as the figure head of Japan. The widespread shift in religion matches closely with the definition, for revolution. Even so, despite the Emperor reclaiming the position of figure head, this change in organization, involved mainly with the upper class does not match with many other revolutions in which the lower classes or peasants seek to gain control. Other changes such as the existence of Japanese nationalism and a growing money based economy changed the face of Japan. Emperor Meiji's focus on the modernization of Japan through nationalistic actions and the support of a currency based economy provided major changes to Japan. Hence, based upon the definition above, the striking alterations made to Japan took form of a revolution.
The Meiji Restoration was a revolution because it featured many aspects of revolution. A revolution is a large change that occurs in a country due to efforts by a group in that country. The large change that can be found in this restoration is the massive governmental reforms. For example, a new emphasis was placed on education, the emperor regained power, and the country worked to modernize. Although this reformation was led by the service or upper-middle class, it can still be considered a revolution because the previous leader, or shogun was overthrown. Furthermore the economy rapidly changed through a money based system and increased trade. The efforts of the revolution in Japan were to modernize the nation. This action promoted nationalism and a stronger, more stable economy. Moreover, the restoration was not nonviolent either, as a few battles were fought to exterminate the Samurai for good. In continuation, this restoration shares elements with other European revolutions such as the French and Russian revolutions. Overall, the restoration should be considered a revolution because massive governmental, economic, and modernizing changes were made during the restoration by the service class.
The Meiji Restoration was indeed a revolution. Granted, there is a general set of guidelines for a revolution, but by no means is it mandatory that they are obeyed. This is to say that although many previous revolutions displayed similar atributes, the Meiji Restoration did not. There are several reasons why this may be the case, namely, commoners did not spark the Meiji Restoration, as they had others. This led the revolution to be quite literally less bloody, as the violence was very much politically contained.
ReplyDeleteThe Meiji Restoration was also undoubtedly revolutionary because it entirely changed the country that was Japan. The government shifted power positions and the people as a whole became more unified. Suddenly, there was a new air about the archipelago. It was nationalistic, it was ethnocentric, and it was Japan.
Just because it isn't identical to its predecessors doesn't mean the Meiji Restoration wasn't a revolution. It drastically moved Japan, and therefore was the quintessence of revolutionary.
According to wikipedia, a revolution is a forcible overthrow of a government or social order for a new system. The Meiji restoration was a revolution. It resulted in a change in government, politics, and economy. For example, the government mind set changed from family based to merit based. Another huge change after this is that the whole country modernized as well. They soon became a global super power while overthrowing places like China and Manchuria. More support for the revolution side is that violence took place to institute some of the advancements just like in the other revolutions. Even though other major revolutions were triggered by commoners and this happened to be driven from the top, it still built Japan's nationalism and made major changes as a nation.
ReplyDeleteYes I do believe that the Meiji Restoration was a revolution. A revolution can be defined as a political, and economic reform within a country and its culture. I believed it was a revolution because its outlook on politics and lineage or succession to the throne changed. In addition its economy from being a more agricultural society evolved into one incorporating western ideals, such as trade. Some may argue that it was not a revolution because it did not change as drastically has other revolutions such as the ones in Russia and France. However the changes greatly impacted Japan due to its small size, while you have the other countries as being power houses in all aspects.
ReplyDeleteThe Meiji Restoration was a revolution even though compared to the other historic revolution such as the French or American there was less bloodshed. There were massive changes that constitute a revolution such as the opening and modernizing of the economy. Also because it became a global power. If it was not a revolution than the transformation into a global power would not have occurred or at least at the rate that it occurred because still that was a massive change showing that even though there was not bloodshed their system revolutionized.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the Meiji Restoration was definitely a revolution. "Revolution" seems to be a very broad term considering it is used to define revolutions as huge and monumental as the French and American where numerous individuals were killed and other countries had to become involved. However, there are other types of revolutions that are far smaller and less destructive such as the industrial revolution. No one was killed or faced with violence in this revolution and yet it is stilled termed the "Industrial Revolution." The Meiji Restoration is much like the industrial revolution in the way it caused no violence but still caused major alterations. Even though the commoners were not the driving factor of the restoration, they still were affected to the point of a revolution. The restoration changed Japan politically, economically, socially, and religiously. It was not until now that Shinto became the official religion. Also, a country that never used to be powerful began to flourish economically and soon became one of the major expanders of the century. The idea of Japanese unity and nationalism also arose during this time; an idea that remains incredibly prevalent in Japan even today.
ReplyDeleteThe Meiji Restoration was indeed a revolution. A revolution is a period of major change. The Meiji Restoration demonstrates exactly that. During the Meiji Restoration, there were major changes all around in Japan. A new system of government took place as the emperor regained power. Also, while maybe not as violent as other revolutions, there was still violence in the Meiji Restoration. There were also changes in social classes and education that prove this theory. Also, the Meiji Restoration contains elements also found in the French Revolution. It also led to a rapid increase in Japanese nationalism. As a result, Japan was quickly attacking other nations, something they could not do prior to the restoration. Overall, great changes occurred in Japan during and after the Meiji Restoration. These changes prove that the Meiji Restoration was indeed a revolution.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Meiji Restoration was a revolution because of how the samurai got overthrown by the government. A revolution can be described as a repudiation through replacement of an established government. The overall perception of politics and their views and beliefs were the major cause to overthrow this type of establishment. They also have been compared to other more violent revolutions such as the French and Russian revolution. Also the restoration accelerated industrialization in Japan and led to a military rise in 1905. Japans isolation from the other countries doesn't imply that Japan did get these ideas from the revolutions that happend in bigger countries like France. This had a major affect on Japan's outcome as a nation.
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe that the Meiji Restoration was a revolution. Although the consequences of the restoration were not as drastic as the results of previous revolutions, such as the French Revolution, the meiji restoration acted as a major catalyst for political and economic reform. A revolution is the class struggle expected to lead political change and the triumph of a government. The Meiji Restoration did exactly that. Although the revolution was not as much an internal struggle as it was intended to provoke modernization in response to the development of countries around them, only some violence initiated the reform which is the argument against considering the restoration as a revolution. However the definition proves that a revolution can simply be the demand for change. The Meiji Restoration demanded that Japan change its government and politics in order to compete with western nations and become more successful politically and economically.
ReplyDeleteAccording to internet sources, a revolution is a forcible overthrow of a government or social order for a new system. Based on this definition, I do not believe that the Restoration was really a revolution. To support this, the facts show that there was little force of peoples during the Restoration. According to our learnings, the Restoration was accepted by a mass majority of the Japanese population. Though it was definitely a overthrow of the change of social order in the country, there was no force, so it could not have been a revolution.
ReplyDeleteRevolution is defined as, "an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed" (Dictionary.com). In many aspects the Meji Restoration was a revolution, however, in my personel opinion I believe that the Meji Restoration was not a revolution. I think that it was not a revolution because it re-established a figure head, the Emperor, as the official power source instead of the Samurai. A revolution usually comprises of large amounts of blood shed such as during the French Revolution where hundreds of people were tried and killed by the guillotine and blood literally ran through the streets of Paris. However, in the Meji Restoration there was very minimal blood shed. Also usually a revolution is associated with a lower class uprising against a leader, but in the Meji Restorations case it was a figure head rebelling against another leader. Overall, I would not categorize as a revolution, but as a forced change in leadership.
ReplyDeleteThe Webster's Dictionary defines a revolution as " a dramatic and wide-reaching change in the way something works or is organized," (Webster). According to the content of the definition, the Meiji Restoration did if fact meet the criteria of a revolution. The revolution instituted the national religion of Shinto after reinstating the Emperor as the figure head of Japan. The widespread shift in religion matches closely with the definition, for revolution. Even so, despite the Emperor reclaiming the position of figure head, this change in organization, involved mainly with the upper class does not match with many other revolutions in which the lower classes or peasants seek to gain control. Other changes such as the existence of Japanese nationalism and a growing money based economy changed the face of Japan. Emperor Meiji's focus on the modernization of Japan through nationalistic actions and the support of a currency based economy provided major changes to Japan. Hence, based upon the definition above, the striking alterations made to Japan took form of a revolution.
ReplyDeleteThe Meiji Restoration was a revolution because it featured many aspects of revolution. A revolution is a large change that occurs in a country due to efforts by a group in that country. The large change that can be found in this restoration is the massive governmental reforms. For example, a new emphasis was placed on education, the emperor regained power, and the country worked to modernize. Although this reformation was led by the service or upper-middle class, it can still be considered a revolution because the previous leader, or shogun was overthrown. Furthermore the economy rapidly changed through a money based system and increased trade. The efforts of the revolution in Japan were to modernize the nation. This action promoted nationalism and a stronger, more stable economy. Moreover, the restoration was not nonviolent either, as a few battles were fought to exterminate the Samurai for good. In continuation, this restoration shares elements with other European revolutions such as the French and Russian revolutions. Overall, the restoration should be considered a revolution because massive governmental, economic, and modernizing changes were made during the restoration by the service class.
ReplyDelete