The Meiji restoration
The Meiji restoration refers to the re-emergence of an emperor in Japan. This change in power came after the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which was caused by the uprising of a group of Samurai who were pro-modernization in Japan. This group, known as the ‘oligarchy’, had seen the modern ‘black ships’ of Commander Perry, who came from America seeking trade relations with Japan. The oligarchy became convinced that they would have to let the West infiltrate their society in order to avoid the fate China had seen under the hands of imperialism. The oligarchy saw the need for Japan to learn from the West and gain enough knowledge to be able to remain independent. They overthrew the Shogun and elected a new emperor, an emperor for all of Japan. ‘Meiji’, meaning "enlightened ruler", was the sixteen-year-old boy they chose for this position. He was small, young and naďve, the perfect puppet for the oligarchy to exercise their power through. He ruled for forty-four years but Meiji was merely a symbol of power for a new, united Japan, rather than an actual head of state. The Meiji restoration effected Japan profoundly. Every facet of Japanese life was altered in some way, from economics to education.