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The Meiji oligarchy, known in Japanese as 'hambatsu', was the ruling class of Japan during the Taisho period (1912-1926).
Answer: False
The Meiji oligarchy, referred to as 'hambatsu' in Japanese, constituted the ruling class during the Meiji period (1868-1912), not the subsequent Taisho period.
Members of the Meiji oligarchy were guided by the principles of kokugaku, which focused on the study of Japanese classics.
Answer: True
The Meiji oligarchy adhered to the principles of kokugaku, a scholarly tradition centered on the study of Japanese classics, which informed their vision for a revitalized Japan.
The Meiji oligarchy included prominent figures from the Court nobility such as Saionji Kinmochi and Sanjō Sanetomi.
Answer: True
The Meiji oligarchy comprised individuals from various backgrounds, including prominent figures from the Court nobility such as Saionji Kinmochi and Sanjō Sanetomi.
Katsu Kaishū, a former leader of the Tokugawa shogunate, played a minor role and was not considered part of the Meiji oligarchy.
Answer: False
Katsu Kaishū, a former leader of the Tokugawa shogunate, was associated with the Meiji era's political landscape and played a role in its transition, contrary to the assertion that he played a minor role and was not considered part of the oligarchy's sphere.
The Meiji oligarchy's belief in kokugaku led them to reject all Western influences and technologies.
Answer: False
While kokugaku emphasized Japanese classics, the Meiji oligarchy actively adopted and integrated Western technologies and influences to modernize the nation, rather than rejecting them.
What was the Japanese term for the Meiji oligarchy?
Answer: Hambatsu
The Japanese term for the Meiji oligarchy, referring to the ruling elite derived from specific domains, is 'hambatsu', often translated as 'domain clique'.
Which core belief system, focused on studying Japanese classics, guided the Meiji oligarchy?
Answer: Kokugaku
The Meiji oligarchy was guided by kokugaku, an intellectual tradition focused on the study of Japanese classics, which influenced their nationalist ideology and vision for national renewal.
Which former Tokugawa leader is mentioned as being associated with the Meiji period's political landscape?
Answer: Katsu Kaishū
Katsu Kaishū, a former leader of the Tokugawa shogunate, is mentioned as being associated with the Meiji period's political landscape and its transition.
Okubo Toshimichi, a key figure in the Meiji oligarchy, hailed from the Chōshū domain and served as minister of education.
Answer: False
Okubo Toshimichi, a pivotal figure in the Meiji oligarchy, originated from the Satsuma domain and held the position of Minister of Finance, not Minister of Education.
Saigō Takamori, a prominent Meiji leader, was appointed as the minister of finance after the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Answer: False
Following the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate, Saigō Takamori served as a field marshal and imperial councillor, while Okubo Toshimichi was appointed Minister of Finance.
Kido Kōin, originally from the Tosa domain, was instrumental in promoting the idea of constitutional government.
Answer: False
Kido Kōin, a key figure from the Chōshū domain, was instrumental in promoting constitutional government, whereas Itagaki Taisuke was a prominent advocate from the Tosa domain.
Okuma Shigenobu, a member of the Meiji oligarchy, eventually rose to become prime minister of Japan in 1898 after holding various ministerial portfolios.
Answer: True
Okuma Shigenobu, a member of the Meiji oligarchy from the Hizen domain, held numerous ministerial positions before ultimately ascending to the office of Prime Minister in 1898.
Saigō Takamori was officially declared a traitor after his defeat in the Satsuma Rebellion.
Answer: False
Despite leading the Satsuma Rebellion, Saigō Takamori was not officially declared a traitor; instead, he became a revered heroic figure in Japanese history.
Godai Tomoatsu and Kuroda Kiyotaka were leading figures from the Chōshū Domain within the Meiji oligarchy.
Answer: False
Godai Tomoatsu and Kuroda Kiyotaka were prominent figures from the Satsuma Domain, while key leaders from the Chōshū Domain included Itō Hirobumi and Kido Takayoshi.
Itagaki Taisuke, associated with the Tosa Domain, was a notable member of the Meiji oligarchy.
Answer: True
Itagaki Taisuke, a significant political figure from the Tosa Domain, was indeed a notable member associated with the Meiji oligarchy and its reformist agenda.
Okuma Shigenobu and Etō Shimpei both hailed from the Hizen Domain and were part of the Meiji oligarchy.
Answer: True
Both Okuma Shigenobu and Etō Shimpei were influential figures originating from the Hizen Domain and played significant roles within the Meiji oligarchy.
Who among the following hailed from the Satsuma domain and became a prominent leader, later appointed as field marshal?
Answer: Saigō Takamori
Saigō Takamori, a central figure in the Meiji Restoration and a leader from the Satsuma domain, was appointed as a field marshal and played a crucial role in military affairs.
Which two domains were most instrumental, alongside others, in overthrowing the Tokugawa shogunate, led by figures like Ōkubo Toshimichi and Saigō Takamori?
Answer: Satsuma and Chōshū
The Satsuma and Chōshū domains were pivotal in leading the coalition that overthrew the Tokugawa shogunate, with figures like Ōkubo Toshimichi and Saigō Takamori representing Satsuma's influence.
After the fall of the shogunate, what key governmental position did Ōkubo Toshimichi assume?
Answer: Minister of Finance
Following the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate, Ōkubo Toshimichi assumed the critical role of Minister of Finance, overseeing the nation's economic restructuring.
Who was a key conspirator from the Chōshū domain, serving as minister of education and promoting constitutional government?
Answer: Kido Kōin
Kido Kōin, a prominent figure from the Chōshū domain, served as Minister of Education and was a key proponent of establishing constitutional government in Meiji Japan.
Despite leading a major rebellion, Saigō Takamori was remembered in Japanese history primarily as:
Answer: A revered heroic figure
Despite leading the Satsuma Rebellion, Saigō Takamori was not officially declared a traitor; instead, he became a revered heroic figure in Japanese history.
Which domain was the origin of prominent Meiji oligarchy members like Inoue Kaoru and Yamagata Aritomo?
Answer: Chōshū
Inoue Kaoru and Yamagata Aritomo were prominent figures originating from the Chōshū domain, which was a key power base within the Meiji oligarchy.
Okuma Shigenobu's political career culminated in his appointment as:
Answer: Prime Minister
Okuma Shigenobu, after holding various ministerial portfolios, eventually rose to the highest political office, becoming Prime Minister of Japan in 1898.
A primary objective of the Meiji oligarchy was to reinforce the traditional four divisions of society: samurai, farmer, artisan, and merchant.
Answer: False
A primary objective of the Meiji oligarchy was to abolish the traditional four divisions of society, not reinforce them, as part of their modernization efforts.
Meiji reforms introduced new financial burdens for ordinary citizens, such as tuition fees for compulsory education and cash payments for taxes.
Answer: True
Meiji reforms introduced new financial burdens for ordinary citizens, including tuition fees for compulsory education and cash payments for taxes, in addition to existing pressures.
The Tokugawa class system was abolished in 1871, and former daimyo were reclassified as commoners.
Answer: False
The Tokugawa class system was abolished in 1871, and former daimyo were reclassified as part of the peerage nobility, not commoners.
Samurai retained their exclusive right to hold military positions even after the Meiji reforms.
Answer: False
Following the Meiji reforms, samurai lost their exclusive right to hold military positions, opening these roles to a broader segment of the population.
Former samurai found new career paths exclusively in government bureaucracy after the reforms.
Answer: False
Former samurai found new career paths in various fields, including government bureaucracy, teaching, business, and journalism, not exclusively in government bureaucracy.
The Meiji reforms aimed to create a new social hierarchy where former samurai were placed below commoners.
Answer: False
The Meiji reforms abolished the old class system and established new divisions, reclassifying former samurai as 'gentry', which was distinct from commoners, and aimed for equality under the law, not placing them below commoners.
What was a central objective of the Meiji oligarchy regarding Japan's traditional social structure?
Answer: To abolish the four traditional divisions of society.
A central objective of the Meiji oligarchy was the abolition of the traditional four divisions of society (samurai, farmer, artisan, merchant) as part of their comprehensive reform program.
Following the abolition of the Tokugawa class system, what was the new status of former daimyo?
Answer: Peerage nobility
After the abolition of the Tokugawa class system, former daimyo were reclassified as members of the peerage nobility, signifying a shift in their social and political standing.
What significant change occurred regarding samurai privileges after the Meiji reforms?
Answer: They lost their exclusive right to hold military positions.
A significant change for samurai after the Meiji reforms was the loss of their exclusive right to hold military positions, which were opened to other social classes.
What was the theoretical legal status of all individuals after the abolition of the Tokugawa class system?
Answer: They were considered equal under the law.
Following the abolition of the Tokugawa class system, all individuals were theoretically considered equal before the law, marking a fundamental shift in social structure.
Which of the following was NOT a new career path available to former samurai after the Meiji reforms?
Answer: Imperial Emperor
While former samurai found new opportunities as bankers, teachers, journalists, and in other professions, becoming the Imperial Emperor was not a career path available to them.
The Meiji government financed its modernization efforts primarily through traditional taxes levied on agricultural land.
Answer: False
While land taxes were a component, the Meiji government financed its extensive modernization through diverse means, including diplomatic missions, imported machinery, foreign experts, and infrastructure development, moving beyond solely traditional agricultural taxes.
The Meiji government invested in modernizing the military and developing railroad and telegraph networks.
Answer: True
The Meiji government's modernization efforts encompassed substantial investment in infrastructure, such as railroads and telegraph networks, alongside military modernization and industrial development.
How did the Meiji government finance its extensive modernization efforts, differing from the Tokugawa shogunate?
Answer: Through diplomatic missions, imported machinery, and hired experts.
The Meiji government financed modernization through a proactive approach involving diplomatic missions, importing machinery, hiring foreign experts, and developing infrastructure, contrasting with the more limited financial strategies of the Tokugawa shogunate.
The Meiji government's modernization efforts included significant investment in:
Answer: Infrastructure like railroads and telegraphs
The Meiji government's modernization efforts encompassed substantial investment in infrastructure, such as railroads and telegraph networks, alongside military modernization and industrial development.
Etō Shimpei led an armed insurrection in 1874, challenging the authority of the central Meiji government.
Answer: True
Etō Shimpei, a proponent of assertive foreign policy, led an armed insurrection in Saga prefecture in 1874, representing a direct challenge to the central Meiji government's authority.
Okubo Toshimichi successfully suppressed the Saga Rebellion led by Etō Shimpei.
Answer: True
Okubo Toshimichi was instrumental in suppressing the Saga Rebellion, swiftly quelling the uprising initiated by Etō Shimpei and other discontented elements.
The Satsuma Rebellion in 1877 was a minor challenge to the Meiji government, involving only a few disgruntled samurai.
Answer: False
The Satsuma Rebellion in 1877 was the final and most significant armed uprising against the Meiji government, posing a serious challenge to its authority.
The Meiji government's forces were defeated in the Satsuma Rebellion due to their inferior weaponry compared to the rebels.
Answer: False
The Meiji government's forces ultimately prevailed in the Satsuma Rebellion due to their superior modern weaponry and greater financial resources, not inferior arms.
The suppression of the Satsuma Rebellion led to a strengthened national treasury and decreased inflation.
Answer: False
The costly suppression of the Satsuma Rebellion significantly drained the national treasury, caused inflation, and decreased land values, leading to reduced tax revenues.
The armed insurrection led by Etō Shimpei in 1874 occurred in which prefecture?
Answer: Saga
The armed insurrection led by Etō Shimpei in 1874, known as the Saga Rebellion, took place in Saga prefecture.
What was the ultimate outcome of the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877?
Answer: It was suppressed by the Meiji government's forces.
The Satsuma Rebellion in 1877, despite being a significant challenge, was ultimately suppressed by the Meiji government's military forces.
Which of the following was a significant economic consequence for the Meiji government after suppressing the Satsuma Rebellion?
Answer: Reduced tax revenues due to decreased land values
The costly suppression of the Satsuma Rebellion significantly drained the national treasury, caused inflation, and decreased land values, leading to reduced tax revenues.
The Saga Rebellion in 1874 was an attempt by discontented elements to challenge:
Answer: The central government's authority
The Saga Rebellion in 1874, led by Etō Shimpei, represented an attempt by discontented elements to challenge the authority of the central Meiji government.
What was the primary reason cited for the Meiji government's success in defeating the Satsuma Rebellion?
Answer: Greater financial resources and modern weaponry
The Meiji government's success in defeating the Satsuma Rebellion was primarily attributed to its greater financial resources and superior modern weaponry compared to the rebel forces.
Iwakura Tomomi, who had opposed the Tokugawa regime, was appointed as Japan's first ambassador to China.
Answer: False
Iwakura Tomomi, a significant figure who opposed the Tokugawa regime, served as Japan's first ambassador to the United States, playing a crucial role in diplomatic missions.
The 1873 Korean crisis led to the resignation of figures who advocated for peace and diplomacy with Korea.
Answer: False
The 1873 Korean crisis resulted in the resignation of government officials, notably Saigō Takamori and Etō Shimpei, who advocated for military action against Korea, not peace and diplomacy.
The Iwakura Mission's primary goal was to establish military bases in the United States.
Answer: False
The primary objective of the Iwakura Mission was to study Western systems of government and technology and to renegotiate unequal treaties, not to establish military bases.
Which event in 1873 led to resignations within the government due to disagreements over policy towards Korea?
Answer: The Korean Crisis
The 1873 Korean Crisis precipitated significant internal government divisions, leading to the resignation of officials who advocated for military action against Korea.
The Iwakura Mission, led by Iwakura Tomomi, was primarily focused on:
Answer: Studying Western systems and diplomacy
The primary objective of the Iwakura Mission was to study Western systems of government and technology and to renegotiate unequal treaties, contributing to Japan's modernization and international standing.