1. What was the Meiji Restoration?

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Lesson Objectives
To identify the causes, events and significance of the Meiji Restoration 1868-1913

​Lesson Activities

1. ​Download, read, and makes notes from the Lesson PowerPoint. Be ready to answer the 7 questions on the last slide.
2. Download this copy of the Charter Oath and answer questions 1-4.
3. Download this copy of the Meiji Constitution and answer questions 1-6.
4. Read this article on Tokugawa Japan to get a better understanding of Japan before the Meiji Restoration.

2. Was it a 'restoration' or 'revolution'?

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Lesson Objectives
To consider historical interpretations of the Meiji Restoration by examining the political developments of the period

​Lesson Activities

1. ​Download, read, and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
2. Read and make notes from this debate article for and against the idea that the Meiji Restoration should be called a revolution.
3. 'The Meiji Restoration deserves to be called a revolution'. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Using the your notes so far and the following readings, write a statement of no longer than two paragraphs summarising your views before arriving at a judgement. This will then be debated in class.
   1. A Marxist interpretation of the Meiji Restoration
   2. A Structuralist interpretation of the Meiji Restoration
   3. An article defining what revolutions are.

3. Changes during the Meiji Restoration

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Lesson Objectives
To identify how Japanese culture, society and the economy changed during the Meiji Restoration

​Lesson Tasks

1. ​Download, read, and make notes from the Lesson PowerPoint.
2. Read and take notes from this article on Japanese modernisation.
3. Further reading on the Iwakura Mission in Britain, Japanese Women, and Railway Modernisation.
4. Watch parts 3, 4, and 6 of the 'Meiji Revolution' on YouTube. It's a bit old school but has good detail.

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