Japan's Feudal System

The Meiji Dynasty existed during what was known as the Meiji Period, which lasted from about 1868 to 1912. Japan was once an isolated country that lived under the feudal system. In Japan’s feudal system, the Emperor was on top although he held little power. The Shogun, powerful military leaders, held the most power above the Daimyo, which were powerful landowners that the Samurai (soldiers) vowed to protect and serve. Still below, were the Peasants that farmed and made up most of the population. Below them were the Artisans whom crafted objects for those ranked above them. And at the bottom, were the Merchants that sold everything that was made by the Artisans and Peasants. Moving forward, Japan’s isolation and feudal system was abolished when Commodore Matthew Perry from the United States traveled over there and used gunboat diplomacy to force Japan into opening its ports and trading. After the feudal system was abolished and they were no longer isolated, Japan went through what is known as the Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Restoration was the rapid industrialization of Japan. And Japan chose to industrialize so that they could level up with the west and not become a victim to other countries. For instance, mass education was introduced, …show more content…
Japan realized that to compete with those Western powers, they would need to expand themselves. They started by forcing Korea to open its ports to trade with them. That got China upset because they had controlled Korea for a long time already. Due to this, the Sino-Japanese War happened in 1894 and Japan left victorious with China’s gift of Taiwan. Russia was also upset with Japan’s activity in Korea. This resulted in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) in which Japan triumphed over Russia. This is how Japan proved itself one of the great world