The Meiji Restoration of Japan

The Meiji Restoration was basically the period where Japan finally modernizes. Before that Japan was hiding from the world and made little contact. All this change when Commodore Matthew Perry visited Japan in 1853. The Japanese were astonished by the American ships. But the point of his visit was to open up Japan to the world and start trade. It was clear that they would've done it by force. The Japanese had no choice but to sign treaties that limited the control Japan had on its on trading and that made crimes against foreigners be tried in American courts. After this other western countries began using Japan for trading which caused anger amongst the Japanese. Their thoughts were proud and nationalistic. After the visit from Commodore Perry everything changed from Japan. Japan adopted ideas from all the other countries to make their own better. By the end of the Meiji period the Japanese gained a better government, a stronger navy and army, better transportation and communication systems, and more educated people. Japan is a archipelago or a chain of islands.