1986-12-11

before 1868) was

頁四第張十第日十初月一十年寅丙曆夏

1987中學會考試題預習專欄

歷史(十二)

明逸出版社, MILL & DALE PRESS-

Revision Exercises

for.

Cert. Exam, (1987)

HISTORY (12)

The following is an.. outline of the Meiji modernization of Japan'

(1868-1912), The word "Heiji” was the name of the emperor who ruled Japan. during this period. the Meiji Emperor. Before 1868, Japan was a

feudal country no

central government, backward economy and

society, ruling clasa

- known as the samuraï,

division of the land into Dany feudal domains called han). From that year to 1912, when the Meiji Emperor died, many reforms were attempted, and these reforms changed, or transformed, Japan

greatly. This made Japan.

a modern state. The process through which Japan became a modern state is known as "modernization"

Background ta

modernization

Why did Japan try to modernize herself?

1. Western impérialisa

Since 1853-54, foreigners came to Japan and opened her up for trade and increased contact, (a) Econquic imperialieo

Western goods.

eutered Japan and destroyed the

traditiona

handicraft

industries in many ways.

(B) Military imperialism

Vestern countries had superior M. military technology and weapons. They? sould use them to threaten Japan's national safety. Therefore, the Mei ji statesmen (who helped create the new Meiji state in 1868) set the goals of

modernisation as "rich country and strong aray"

Meiji Restoration – The Heiji Emperor was

restored to rule Japan

in 1868, when the

Tokugawa shogunate

(which dominated

Japanese feudal clans

欣欣

WAH KIU YAT. PO

development of

overthrown. This made it possible to carry out modernization.

Preliminary steps to modernization – The se. steps include

Abolition of feudalism”

Politically, clan governments of the past (ruling different

parts of Japan rather independently) were

abolished. Clan armies

were abolished too.

Then Japan was divided.

into over 70

prefectures (similar

to provinces), and im each of then the central government in Tokyo appointed officials to rule the people. In: society, the samurai !s social position was cancelled, so that all people enjoyed equal right and siisred equal responsibilities, The samurai were given a eglary, but from 1876 on the salary way changed into a Lump sam paid once and for all. Many samurai resented the loss of their superior social position. Some revolted against the new government, like in 1877. But they were bot a serious probles. Setting up a

cautralized goverment

This was necessary for central planning of the modernizatíbu

programmes

Provision of a reliable Bource of income för the central governmën

The land tax was reformed. In 1873, all landowners were

required by law to pay

a yearly tax for 3%

of the Land value) to. the central

goverment. So the central government had u constant and reliable source of money to carry out its different modernization

programmes. Aa after this reform the land" tax could be predicted, the Heiji government could plan ita finances better too. Until 1888 land tax alone was responsible for over half of the Meiji governments total income.

Different modernization programmes - The Meiji government carried out: these programmes at the same time. The

willingless to do so helped to explain why modernization was muccessful pa

1. Economic modernization Development of military strategic industries. This was understandable, in

view of the need tợ

defend the country

against foreign

... imperialism. There Vas

旅運(香港)有限公司

3-842277 3-849192 3-841331

「台北四天豪華團: $1770

溪頭五天豪華團

120 130

consumer industries

too. This aimed at protecting Japanese goods against foreign economic imperialism. (a) Firstly, agriculture

wan moderöized,

for Japan was still an agricultural country at this timo. Students were Bent to other countries to learn more. advanced agricultural technology. Foreign experts were employed, New kinds of seeds and plants were intro- duced andya

experimental

agricultural stationa and colleges were set up. With income obtained from agripultural

development, the

Meiji government could finance othe modernization programe sp

(b). In the 1870s, the

Meiji government developed industries herself, because private businessmen were unvilling to do so, due to the risk involved, Thus shipbuilding yards, gun-powder and munition factoriesj and artillery works were established. These were all military-strategic industries, Non

military-atrategic

industriee included silk-reeling plants, glass and chemical manufacturing plants, cotton- epinning factories, etc..

報日僑

1880s ouvarda, the Meiji government hegan to sell non- military industries to private hands but retained control of the military industries. (d) Because of (c),

some private

Japanese companies. benefitted greatly, They obtained industries from the government at very cheap prices, They became financial giants. or financial com- bines called the zaibeteu().

2. Educational VE

modernization – There were 2 meinalist; i, acquiring Western

knowledge..

ii. strengthening

national unity. (a) In the 18708,

universal, compulsory education was introduced and. carried outilla

However, "conserva- tives soon feared that Westera education would

寶通旅運 23-910377

3-969861

destroy Japan's

national tradition.

They opposed

education on

Western, liberal rines.

In the 1880s or so, education became more and more illiberal and conservative⠀ Although Japanese still learnt Western technology they were taught absolute loyalty to the g state, Free thinking was not encouraged. This was the root of Japan's ultra- nationalism, which later (in the 20th century) led to." the conquest of Chin, the Pacific War (1941-45), and lastly disaster for Japan. . . .

Meanwhile, during the Maiji period, national unity was strengthened by educational modernization,

which therefore. contributed, to the success of all modernization progreumes.

Military modernization

At first, the sim was to defend Japan against possible. attuck from foreigners. From the 1880's on. however, the aim was. win offensive vars and

acquire imperialist posse Brions.

(a) 1873, Conscription

· Law - All adult mále citizens had to serve in the saray or navy for a

period. In thig

way, national armed forces were orcated; 1878 and after- discipline in the army and navy was made tighter. Administration was centralized. There- after the Japanese. military forces. became more and more authoritarian and conservative, Political modernization Constitutional movement. MA (a) It started as a-

struggle for

power amount the Meiji leaders. Some political leaders wanted

to make use of the movement

(calling for the adoption of a constitution) to obtain power from the leaders who run the government. Therefore there was not a real désire for the benefits.

of a consitution.

(b) From 1868 to 1877,

some of the Meiji

leaders opposed the ruling leaders" by armed rebellions.

S-441531 牌照號碼350440 AN ATTA

四期星

日一十月二十年六八九一曆公年五十七國民華中育教僑華

The rebellions were suppressed. So the opposition leaders chose the peaceful

way of struggling

for poweȚ →→ through the constitutional movement, P 1881–the heiji. government Announced that a constitution would be adopted by 1889, The Meiji. government wished to imitate the Western, constí tú- tional system. From 1881 to 1889, the Meiji govern- ment strengthened the rule of the Emperor and discouraged the activities of political parties. 1.When the

constitution was. adopted in 1889, there was not much. change to the basically illiberal,

authoritartian nature of the Meiji atate. Results of modernizati

The results were superficial (on the surface):

1. Only national

institutions were changed rural society

·remained very conservative. The people were conservative.

2. But meanwhile, Japán

successfully protected. herself against foreign imperialism, In fact, as Japan- had been successfully: modernized, she became an imperialist power herselfving the

3. When Japan was weak. (in the 1850s or 1800s); she had to sign some unequal treaties with the western powere, when Japan was successfully modernized; she revised these unequal. treaties (In the 18908).

But because. undemocratic, authoritarian forces were not removed. during the moderniza- tion process, the

ground" was paved for

the rise of

militarism Tet

英文(十二 )

Revison Exercise.

for

Cert. Exam. (1987)

ENGLISH (12)

CITY EDUCATIONAL PRESS Dear Students,

Today's column is de- signed to give you prac tice in the comprehension questions in the HKCEB. There is no better way to helb you copa with this kind of language test than to do some exercises set along the same track.

Read this passage and then answer questions 1-10.

With the advancement in modern soience and tech- nology and, the alarming rate at which the popula tion increásos,it is com→ mon knowledge that we are living in a competitive world, and nowhere more so than in Kong Kong. Oné manifestation of this io. the scramble for employ- ment that takes place at the end of each school year. So keen is the compe- tition for jobs faced by school-leavers that they tend to grasp the first one offered. The only con- sideration they have at that moment is for the ade- quaoy of the salary offer- èd. Even security,future' prospects and other bene- fits are thought of as secondary importance.

Of course,remuneration: is important, but there are other equally important factors,neglect of which often produces frustration and unhappiness in later years. Chief among these is the question of in- terest. It is very diffi- cult to work hard at,and” be successful in,an acti- vity unless one is in-

terested in it. Whereas, where there is genuine in- terest, one may work very hard without even realis- ing it,and success follows More important than suc- cess, which generally neare promotion and an increase in salary is the peace and happiness which can only be found in doing work that one enjoys and not merely for the remuneraTM tion it brings. Closely re- lated to this, in the ques tion of aptitude and ta

lent. The difficulty here is that one may have dor- mant ability,not fully realised or understood; while at school. Both in- terest and ability may de- velop after leaving school. and taking up employment afterwards.

Therefore it is wise to assess these factors: before accepting a post rather than to have a feel- ing of frustration and to soek another form of em÷ ployment afterwards.

1. The word technology'

in line 2 mesing**

medical science

B. to study in a tëch-

nical school.

C the study of mechan-

ical engineering

D. the soïence of in-

dustrial arts

In line 11, 'scramble for employment' means A. an application for

employment.

B. to beg for employ"

ment.

C, a struggle with oth-'

·ers for employment. D. a strong desire for employment durin

3. The writer implies that the scramble for employ

mont le caused by

永安

A. inadequate salaries

B. frustration

C. a shortage of good

Jobs

D. lack of ability

4. Of the following,tké

one nearest in meaning to future prospectat (line 22) as used in the passage is the Chance

A to become rich

B. for advancement G. to control others D. to succeed to the

Share This Page