Matthew Perry
Commodore who led a fleet of well-armed U.S. ships. He demanded that Japan open its ports.
Zaibatsu
powerful banking and industrial families
Tokyo
The city of Edo was renamed Tokyo
Homogeneous society
modernized with amazing speed, partly due to its strong sense of identity.
Meiji Restoration
Was a long reign and turning point in Japan's history. Mutsuhito moved to the shogun's palace in the city of Tokyo (Edo) at this time.
First Sino-Japanese War
Competition between Japan and China in Korea led to this war. Japan easily won.
Diet
legislature
Russo-Japanese War
The war that Japan successfully fought Russia
By mid-1800s, why did so many groups of people in Japan feel disconnected?
Tokugawa shoguns seized power in Japan and closed it to foreigners. For over 200 years, Japan was isolated from other nations.
How did Japan react when it was forced to accept unequal treaties?
Japanese felt humiliated by the terms of unequal treates, discontented daimyo and samurai led a revolt.
What changes did the reforms of the Meiji Restoration bring in Japan?
Meiji reformers wanted to create new political and social system and build a modern industrial economy.
How did industrialization help start Japan on an imperialist course?
Industrialization helped Japan grow and develop. As industry boomed, Japan modernized with great speed. This led to Japan trying to build an empire.