HIST 1708 Lecture 28: HIST1708 Lecture28
Document Summary
Modernization, imperialism, and colonialism in the meiji period(1868-1912) Low- to mid- ranking samurai from outside (tozama) domains, ex, satsuma and. Choshu become new high-ranking o cials in meiji government (oligarchs), and members of new peerage(nobility) creating themselves to new elites. Consolidation of power among cabinet ministers, especially privy council not responsible to parliament/diet, only responsible to the emperor statesmen from the new state. Abolish the class system(samurai relinquish privileges and burdens of their class) --- by popular demand; but they keep popular rights(and democratic rule) in check. Meiji state purchases factories in europe, reassembles in japan in 1870s. Concentrates on light industry, specially silk reeling and textiles. Importance of female labor(rural girls and women) textile production doubles between 1890-1900, doubles again between 1900-1914. Heavy industry develops later, 1880-90s(coral, steel, shipbuilding)
