<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let's study about Meiji Revolution ！！</span></span></strong></p>
<p><iframe width="370" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2BQr5nRn_Cw" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>Meiji Revolution: Japan&rsquo;s Non-Violent Movement to Revitalize its Society</h1>
<div class="meta">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="float:right;margin:10px 0 10px 10px;">&nbsp;</div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">We all know that Japan is one of the  world&rsquo;s most powerful economies. This is the country where two nuclear  bombs were dropped, the country which suffered more than 250 years of  feudalistic rule. But how did it suddenly became one of the world&rsquo;s  superpower? This rapid change in Japan from isolated, pre-industrial and  feudal country to one of the great powers on the world stage is due to  &lsquo;Meiji revolution&rsquo;.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Unlike other revolutions such as in  France, Russia and China, it was non-violent, without any drama,  destruction and political violence. The Meiji revolution is 45-year  reign of the Meiji emperor, Mutsuhito (from 1868 to 1912). Under his  rule, Japan began its modernization. Meiji means &lsquo;Enlightened Rule&rsquo; and  the main theme of this revolution was to combine western advancements  with traditional eastern values.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Factors facilitating the Meiji revolution</strong><br />
Before the Meiji rule, Japan experienced corrupt feudal rule and  pressure from western imperialism. The foreign powers obtained many  privileges by means of unequal treaties. The Meiji leaders were aware of  what happened to China, which opposed western imperialism &ndash; China was  defeated and humiliated. They believed Japan was in danger of foreign  attack. To counter the threats of imperialism, Japan had to be strong.  They recognized that the need for transformation of traditional feudal  society into a progressive and modern one was urgent.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Political &amp; societal changes</strong><br />
In order to strengthen itself, the Meiji government abolished feudalism,  where class distinctions were removed. Abolition of feudalism  strengthened the nationalism and people began extending their loyalty to  the nation. It created a large mobile force for industrialization.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">They introduced modern system of land  taxation in order to ensure a continuous and large income to finance  different modernization programs.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Agricultural sector</strong><br />
Agriculture was the main source of economy for Japan. The Meiji leaders  recognized that a  modernized agriculture is the foundation of success.  They encouraged agricultural students to go abroad to learn more  advanced techniques in agriculture. Foreign experts were employed to  improve agricultural techniques. New kinds of plants and seeds were  imported from different countries. Agricultural colleges and  experimental stations were established throughout the country to test  new methods of planting and provide new agricultural techniques to  farmers.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Thus the agricultural production  steadily increased. On the other hand, silk manufacture was technically  improved. Great progress was made in Japanese silk production and  export. The high quality of Japanese silk attracted many buyers.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Industrial sector</strong><br />
The Meiji leaders knew that in order to improve economy and industrial  sector, they need to enhance their technical skills. They employed  foreign advisers and engineers to run new industries and train native  Japanese technicians quickly. For the long run, technical schools were  set up to provide modern education. Education was made compulsory. More  machines were used to improve production in the industries.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">There was a development in consumer  goods industries, silk-reeling plants, glass and chemical manufacturing  plants, a cement works, cotton-spinning factories and sugar factories.   Japan was able to produce machinery and electrical equipment by itself  in a quick time. It didn&rsquo;t loose focus on small industries. Japan knew  they were particularly important because they required less capital and  less technical knowledge, they could be developed in small workshops,  and they made use of the rural labour, which is easily available. The  modern industrialization enhanced greater circulation of goods, capital  and even labour. It also raised the standard of living in society.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Military sector</strong><br />
Till 1870, there was no national army in Japan. It was only under the  Meiji rule in 1873, a truly national army evolved. Military colleges  were established for greater specialization of military functions in  Japan. Industries producing ammunition and construction of war-ships  were set up. Because of this rapid modernization of military sector,  Japan was able to fight successful wars, where it defeated China and  Russia.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Education sector</strong><br />
The Meiji government adopted western, liberal education which brings  direct material and practical benefits. It established national control  over education, imposed uniform educational standards, and introduced  universal and compulsory education. Moral lessons of the past were  replaced by progressive and modern curricula. Western popular,  scientific and technical knowledge was spread.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">With the modernization of education in  Japan, it developed social and national unity, increased social literacy  and resulted in greater political consciousness among the people and  contribution to successful modernization.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Within a span of 45 years, Japan became a  super power. There was an increase in standards of living, people  became more literate and politically conscious, increased urbanization,  well developed infrastructure and communications, and specialized  administration by the government.</p>