What was the primary cause of the Meiji Restoration in Japan?

• A. The desire to modernize and avoid colonization
• B. The need to expand military power
• C. To establish a socialist government
• D. The wish to maintain feudal practices

Answer: (A)

The primary cause of the Meiji Restoration in Japan was the desire to modernize and avoid colonization. During the mid-19th century, Japan faced significant pressure from Western powers, particularly following the arrival of Commodore Perry in 1853, which exposed the country’s vulnerability and forced it to confront the potential threat of foreign domination. The ruling Tokugawa shogunate recognized that Japan's feudal structure and isolationist policies were hindering its ability to compete with Western nations, which had already undergone significant industrialization and modernization.

As a result, revolutionary leaders sought to overthrow the Tokugawa regime and replace it with a government that would implement rapid modernization reforms across various sectors, including military, economy, and education. The overarching aim was to strengthen Japan, making it capable of standing alongside Western powers, thus ensuring national sovereignty and independence. This sparked a profound transformation of Japanese society, leading to significant technological and social advancements that would ultimately pave the way for Japan to emerge as a major world power by the early 20th century.

While the need to expand military power is related to this modernization, it was not the sole driving factor. The idea of establishing a socialist government was not a primary motive of the Meiji Restoration, nor