Period+8+Japan+History

Meiji Restoration
The Meiji Restoration was Japan’s transition from a traditional to a modern society. It was said to be an, “incomplete revolution.” This is because it did not fully enable the common man to have a say in the governing process. Leaders were successful in increasing Japan’s development economically and politically. During that time, they removed the unequal treaty previsions that have been in place since the mid-century. The amazing part about the transition was that for the most part it took place without violence or revolting that other countries dealt with. Japan’s society transformation that took place for about a half century was a remarkable achievement in that amount of time.



http://books.google.com/books?id=ZWTBUX10gaQC&pg=PA614&sig=

Japan’s History WWII to Modern Melissa Portz Mckenzie Fitzgerald In 1940 Japan became an alliance with Germany and Italy. By 1941, Japan wanted to expand their military in Asia and the Pacific. The United States slowed down Japan’s expansion. To strike back, Japan launched an attack on the United States base of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The battle between the United States and Japan continued when the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This was the turning point in Japan surrendering. After the war, Japan was destroyed and there was a shortage of food for many years. In 1947 the emperor lost all political and military power. Japan was forbidden from leading a war or maintaining an army. A peace treaty was signed in 1952 and Japan’s self defense force was created in 1954. After the Korean was, Japan ‘s economy returned to normal. Japan normalized its relations with Russia in 1956 and with China in 1972. Emperor Hirohito died in 1989 and his son took the throne in 1990. Elections in 1993 removed Liberal Democratic Party and formed new parties. The LDP returned and gained power in 1997. In 2003, the Democratic Party became the major opposing party. Fukuda Yasou became the new prime minister in 2007, but resigned in 2008. In 2009, the Democratic Party beat the LPD in the elections.