Factors facilitating military modernization

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Military Reform
Factors facilitating military modernization
-Many government leaders had been commanders of
the clan forces before 1868. They had experienced
military encounters with the West, and they had
fought the civil war that led to the 1868
Restoration. Besides, it was their military
forces that gave the new government its main
military support. Logically, therefore, they
favoured military reforms. -Effective political
centralization should be backed up by the
creation of national armies. So military reform
was necessary
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Aims
-In the early 1870s, military modernization was
carried out for the sake of defending Japan both
against any possible foreign military threats and
against any domestic rebellions or disorder.
-After the 1890s, however, attention was more
and more concentrated on Japan's ability to fight
and win a foreign offensive war and to acquire
imperialist interests overseas.
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Reforms
Conscription Law of 1873
- It was only after the introduction of the
Conscription Law in 1873 that a truly national
army began to take shape. -According to the
law, all Japanese males over 23 years old were
required to serve a 7-year military service in
the regular army, with 4 more years in the
reserve.

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Reorganization of army after 1878
-Yamagata Aritomo, the Meiji leader responsible
for military modernization, was fearful that the
new national army was disloyal. He thus made
efforts to reorganize the army
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- The new army had been based on the French
model, army organization was now on German lines.
Stricter discipline and tighter administrative
control were introduced. A General Staff was
created to advise the Emperor on military matters
- a job that formerly belonged to the civil
officials (non-military officials). As the
General Staff could directly approach the
Emperor, civil control of the military was lost.
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Japanese soldiers in French uniforms. Later,
Japans military reforms copied Germany
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-the 1873 Conscription Law was revised so that
the periods of military service were extended.
-By 1894, Japan would have 200,000 soldiers in
case there should be war. -Meanwhile, military
colleges were founded, and a Staff College was
set up for greater specialization of military
functions. -Expenditure on the army rose
sharply.

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Efforts were to made to build up the navy
-The organization of the navy was based on the
British system. -In 1872, a Navy Ministry was
formed. Both Japanese-built and
foreign-bought ships were added to the
Japanese fleet.
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-By 1894, the fleet already had 28 modern
ships, together with many torpedo boats.
-Dockyard facilities were also modernized.
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Effects of Military reform
A. Political effects
-Strengthening of the Meiji state
-Beginning of demand for more political rights
in society
-The authoritarian military independent of civil
control
B. Economic effects
-Demand for military-related industries
-Introduction of Western knowledge

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C. Social effects
-Destruction of localism
-Increased political consciousness of the people
-Expansion in education
-Promotion of militant Japanese nationalism
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END