The Meiji Revolution/Restoration

What do you think of the Meiji Revolutiuon/Restoration period in Japanese History? Do you think it contributed to Japan's Future Aggression?

To be honest, I'm not sure. The Meiji restoration did bring Japan into peace and stability, but how the samurai were treated like animals is just unfair IMO. Emperor Meiji may have gotten his imperialism back, but he executed the top warrior class of Japan. The days of feudal Japan were all war,war, and more war. Some of those who have gotten to the top wished to expand even more, they couldn't control themselves and had no idea how to control foreign affairs, except for Nobunaga, who didn't last long enough. The Imperial Restoration brought Japan to a state of revolution, they became far more superior than other countries and were one of the centers of the world in the 1700's.

You meant 1900's right? And i defend what Meiji did to the Samurai, the only way to destroy an aristocracy is to treat them like the same peasants they exploit.

The 1700's and beyond.

I don't think so. How can you be a Great Power and also adopt a Total isolation policy?

Just one of you put proof so that this can be over even a Wikipedia entry should stop this one

is off topic

I don't think so. How can you be a Great Power and also adopt a Total isolation policy?

I'm sorry scholar, but I'll cite my sources after I comment on this, I just had to. That is the most blatant statement I've ever read, when are you going to realize that the western world needed Japan and not the other way around? First of all, the Portugese were dying to convince Japan into being their colony, they still refused and decided not to contribute to their little conquest. Second of all, the others excluding the Dutch wanted to spread Christianity and convert the population, this was another reason of why they were kicked out. The Dutch however, understood the Japanese and knew that they should not prove a threat to their culture.

What Scholar said, even a wiki article can be used when it comes to this arguement: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakoku

As you can see, Japan's economy was still growing despite the fact that they pushed most foreigners out, they still managed to to trade with neighboring countries and the Dutch. Nagasaki, Dejima, China, Korea, and other prefectures still held contact with the Japanese government. With all this, Japan kept their central government, their people were under control, and many future governmental policies and political ceremonies came to being.

well said now back to topic

Actually Scholar, it isn't off topic.
And the British had no desire to Spread Christianity either, Shogun. And Nagasaki was an Enclave of Portugal for less than 20 years, because the Tokugawa or Toyotomi kicked them out.

Anyway my main point, Japan had very few rescourses that would have benifited Portugal or Holland, which is why the East India Company stopped trading with Japan sometime during the Reign of Hide or Iemitsu. My question here is why was the islands of Zipangu so important to the West? and yes scholar, if it wasn't for some of these isolation policies, and the Tyranny of the Tokugawa, there would be no Meiji Revolution/Restoration, we are simply discussing relevant backround information to the event in question.

The British are irrelevant to this topic. Nagasaki? No it wasn't, it was used as a trading post set for the Dutch. Japan DID benefit the western world, have you not read anything about this?? Also, if your next post does not cite a source, than I won't waste my time arguing with random facts.

First of all, are you denying the fact that the British had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with Japan until the Restoration?

Second of all, yes it was, the Christian Daimyo of Nagasaki leased it to the Portuguese, thus it became an enclave of portugal.

Third of all, How did trade with Japan benefit the outside world?

Fouth of all, Samurai and the Sacred by Stephen Turnbull, which is a very intertesting book that talks about The religious nature of Japan, and The effect that Christianity and the foreigners had on Japan.

Ahh, I'll reply to this once I get back, I have a lot to say.

wow all the things i had to say broke the limit that i placed on posts which was the highest i could make it

1.he said irelevent not had nothing to do with

2.so much to say but it was not my place so no answer

3.stupid question really stupid question, have you been in Japan before the Tech. revolution (no one here has unless there in their 40-60 which i dought)

4.is it valid or just interesting, fact or historical fiction

1. of course the British are relevant to this topic, its because of their help during the Restoration that Japan has the efficient Rail service it has today.

2. Fair Enough.

3. Tech. Revolution? what are you talking about? are you referring to the Rise of the Electronics Industry in Japan in the the 50's and 60's?

4. I think i explained why it was Valid before, and no its not Fiction.

Do you think the shogunate would have stood by while one of their major trading posts were under the control of Christians? Absolutely not. The Shogunate did have power over the foreigners in their own country, Japan. The westerners were afraid of warring with Japan, they needed to avoid it, period.

Sigh, indeed it is, Scholar.