Meiji Revolution

The 19th century was a time of great change throughout the world. Many powerful empires began to crumble and a few even disappeared. At the same time many nations began to expand and grow in power. Countries became more interconnected, and large trade treaties were formed. Wars, such as the Napoleonic, lead to nations consuming large amounts of land and power. Ideals were also changing. Slavery was greatly reduced in the world, even being abolished in countries such as Russia and America. Up to this point in time, nations such as China and Japan kept pretty much to themselves. China seemed content with what they had, finding no real need for mass trade. Japan was much the same. However, during this period, each nation began to modify their relationship with the rest of the world. The Meiji "Revolution" or "Restoration" is one of the most important events that happened to Japan in the 19th century, if not in all history. With the last years of the Tokugawa Shogunate about, Japan began to feel the winds of change. The "Revolution" changed the nature of the nation, creating one that was ready to stand among the rest of the world as equals.

During the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan stayed in isolation from the rest of the world, fearing that foreigners would threaten the power of the samurai and shogun. This period of isolationism lasted for almost three hundred years. In the year 1853, an American Commodore, Matthew Perry, arrived with a fleet of ships at Edo bay. Edo was the name of what is today called Tokyo. Shortly after arriving, Perry was met by representatives of the Tokugawa Shogunate and told to proceed to Nagasaki. Nagasaki was the site from which Japan had allowed very limited trading for the last century. Perry refused to leave, demanding permission to present a letter from the