What major socio-political movement sought to modernize Japan's economy and society in the late 19th century?

• A. The Taiping Rebellion
• B. The Meiji Restoration
• C. The Roshiai Movement
• D. The Ansei Purge

Answer: (B)

The Meiji Restoration was a significant socio-political movement that occurred in Japan during the late 19th century, beginning in 1868. It marked the restoration of imperial rule under Emperor Meiji after a prolonged period of feudal governance led by the Tokugawa shogunate. The Meiji Restoration initiated a series of profound transformations in Japanese society, culture, economy, and government, aimed at modernizing the nation in order to compete with Western powers.

This period was characterized by extensive reforms, including the abolition of the samurai class, the establishment of a centralized bureaucratic government, and the introduction of Western technologies and educational systems. The leadership of the Meiji government prioritized industrialization, resulting in significant economic growth and the emergence of Japan as a modern nation-state.

The movement fostered a shift from a predominantly agrarian economy to a more industrialized and urban society, allowing Japan to enhance its military capabilities and expand its influence regionally. The Meiji Restoration ultimately set the foundation for Japan's rapid ascent as a world power by the early 20th century.

In contrast, the other options do not pertain directly to Japan's modernization efforts in the same period. The Taiping Rebellion was a massive civil war in