The Meiji era was the period of Japanese history under Emperor Meiji, from the end of the Tokugawa shogunate to his death. It opened with the Meiji Restoration, when the emperor's government replaced rule by the shogun. Leaders abolished the feudal domains and the samurai class's privileges, built a conscript army, introduced a modern school system and promoted rapid industrialisation on Western models. A constitution was promulgated in 1889, creating a parliament. Japan defeated China in 1894-95 and Russia in 1904-05, and annexed Korea in 1910, emerging as a recognised imperial power. The era ended with the emperor's death and was followed by the Taisho era.
Before and after
- 19 June 1868Construction of Kyoto Prefecture
- 18 August 1868Discovery of helium
- 6 September 1868Founding of Tokyo
- 1 October 1868Construction of St Pancras railway station
- from 23 October 1868 to 30 July 1912Meiji era
- 27 November 1868Battle of Washita River
- 9 December 1868Birth of Fritz Haber
- 1869Publication of War and Peace
- 1869Founding of Goldman Sachs
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The era
This moment belongs to the Industrial era (1760 CE to 1914 CE), steam, factories and revolutions. You can also browse everything in the 19th century.