Meiji Modernization - Abolition of feudalism

to prepare for the complete abolition of the han, central government won over the daimyo of Choshu, Satsuma & Tosa - provided armed force if necessary

became governors of their former domain
still the rulers of their own territories
governors - responsible to the Emperor, appointed by central government
the whole country was divided into 3 urban prefectures & 72 other prefectures
co-operative, no organized resistance
great political changes must take place
most daimyo did not wanted to be left behind
fear of being excluded from national leadership
daimyo were divided by mutual suspicion
could not form an united front against the new government
the new central government had popular support
acting in the name of emperor
trying to achieve national unity
many han had social & economic troubles
the government took over the daimyo's debts & paid the salaries of the samurai
daimyo lost the old feudal titles, but were given new titles of nobility

Samurai

lost their special rights & fixed annual income
no longer a privileged class
were given permission to enter other occupations like farming & commerce
treated badly
most of the Meiji leaders - samurai in origin
other samurai: potential threat - expert in mil - instability
1873, military conscription was introduced
ex-samurai were forced to serve in army with commoners
discontented
pension was given
after 1876, samurai were no longer paid any salary
received a lump sum payment
some went to commerce & invest
Satsuma rebellion 1877
last feudal rebellion
fighting with government forces
spread quickly
suppressed by government force under Choshu leadership
marked the end of feudalism
government army was a new conscript force
common people could fight as well as samurai
by the suppression of the rebellion
strengthened the position of Meiji government
won confidence of the people & foreign power
last armed revolt of the former samurai
later, discontent was expressed by individual acts of violence
expedition against Korea - divert their discontent

Peasants

were forced to pay high tax
conscription was imposed to them
peasant uprising, but not a major threat against the stability of new govt
loose organized

Merchants

government encouraged them to invest
most were conservative, fear losing money
social status was improved

- breakdown of the past strict rigid social system

- no more rigid social control

- social mobility - active & possible

- the outdated feudal order was destroyed by the new government

unification, re-organization & re-centralization of the country
created a large, mobile labor force for industrialization
facilitated internal trade
discontent of samurai & peasant
loyalty to emperor & the state
after the destruction of feudalism, encouraged emperor worship was more necessary
2 classes:
peers - court nobles, former feudal lords
commoners - former samurai, peasant, merchant