1868, there was a great overturn in the Japanese social hierarchy. The change that occurred in Japanese society as a result of the Meiji Restoration was an event that caused it to become a modern world power. Three of the main results from the restoration were: the opening of the borders, changes in military and changes in the Japanese social hierarchy. These are some of the most important changes but there are many others.
The Meiji restoration introduced many changes including military and trade and it was all a result of the opening of their borders. American Commodore Matthew Perry lead four ships into Tokyo bay and invaded it on the 8th July 1853. The Americans easily overpowered the Japanese samurai with bullets and cannons, and quickly held the bay. The Americans invaded Japan because they wanted to open up trade routes throughout Japan. For the first time in 200 years, trade was re-established in Japan. This changed Japan because they could now trade with other countries and make profit out of them.
Japan opened…show more content… The whole medieval Japanese social hierarchy was abolished, and a new cabinet system of government was adopted. They need this new system because their old leaders: The Shogun, were phased out of power. Another change was their education, their education system in the Edo period was built only for wealthy families who could afford to put their children in school. After the Meiji Restoration the government realised that if all its citizens were educated it would become a more powerful nation, they then made it mandatory for all children to go to school.
Opening trade routes throughout Japan, changes in military and changes in Japanese social structure and education, have all been contributing factors in the modernisation of Japan. From allowing other countries to help them to learn their technologies Japan managed to become a modern world power
