HIST 218 Chapter Notes -Unequal Treaty, Military Science, Meiji Oligarchy
4 Feb 2013
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Document Summary
Chapter seven: japan from tokugawa to meiji (1787-1873) Similar to themes of last chapter: internal crisis and western intrusion. Internal stresses in tokugawa system were evident even before external challenges. However, the dynamism of these forces helped japan to develop into a modern country. Freeze foreign policy; reduce contact with dutch and proposed leaving hokkaido undeveloped to serve as buffer to foreign intervention. Government could not borrow, because there is no system of deficit financing. Major differences between localities in economy and society. Burdened daimyos usually resorted to cutting samurai stipends. Severe dissatisfaction with discrepancy between high theoretical status and impoverished reality. Harboured deep resentment against corruption in bureaucracy. Many peasants left fields in hope of better life in industry. Proliferation of religious leaders and cults (fujiko, etc. ) Gap between rich and poor reached point where interests too different for village to speak with single voice. Large doses of economic retrenchment, bureaucratic reform, and moral rearmament.
