By the end of the shogunate, Japan found that western civilization seemed to be superior, especially China's fiasco in the Opium War, which made Japan shake China's thought of being a "powerful country in China" and started the movement of western learning to some extent. However, because equality and freedom are at the core of western civilization, it has an irreconcilable conflict with Japan's national system reform. In order to maintain its dominant position, the ruling class began the movement of expelling foreigners, which made. At that time, because the Dutch saw the situation in Japan, they adopted a seemingly surrendering way and supported the Japanese emperor system. Therefore, the Japanese government has given it a loose policy, enabling it to continue its cultural and material exchanges with Japan. During this period, Holland became the only communication channel between Japan and the West at that time, so the knowledge gained from the West during this period was also called "Lan Xue", which means Dutch studies. Of course, the so-called Lan Xue is not only a country in the Netherlands, but also a general term for the knowledge of developed countries in Western Europe at that time. Later, the Japanese government realized that it should not only learn from western science and technology itself, but also establish a political and legal system suitable for Japan according to its own characteristics. After studying abroad for one year and nine months, Japan finally established a unique national system, combining German nationalism with Japanese Confucianism and Shinto, which laid a solid institutional foundation for Japan's further development in the future. The Meiji Restoration appeared under such a background. It can be seen that it is actually the product of Japan's domestic political and economic development to a certain stage, but in this process, it will never be realized without the support of domestic mainstream forces.

In terms of specific measures, Japan put forward three slogans: "Industrialized prosperity, affluent Qiang Bing, and civilized", and comprehensively transformed the society accordingly. Among these three slogans, civilization is the core. The Japanese government realized that only based on its own talents can it finally achieve development and progress, but it must learn from the west when its own talents are still quite scarce. The Japanese government does not hesitate to hire foreign teachers. The salaries of some foreign teachers were equivalent to two or three times that of Japanese cabinet ministers at that time, which showed that they attached importance to learning and education. After decades of development, Japan finally became a powerful country in the world at that time. The successful development path has also promoted the change of Japan's diplomatic attitude. German nationalism theory is inherently extroverted, and Japan's rising emperor-centered thought eventually led to Japan's military expansion.

The nature, content and function of Meiji Restoration;

Nature: 1868, Meiji government implemented a series of bourgeois reforms.

Contents: ① Politically, we should "abolish vassals and set up counties" and strengthen centralization;

(2) Economically allowing land sales, introducing western technology and encouraging the development of modern industry;

In social life, we advocate "civilization", that is, we should learn from Europe and America and strive to develop education.

Function: Meiji Restoration gradually transformed Japan from a closed feudal country into a capitalist country. Getting rid of the fate of semi-colonial countries is a major turning point in Japanese history. However, after Japan became strong, it soon embarked on the militaristic road of foreign aggression and expansion.

Japan s foreign policy before and after Meiji Restoration;

(1) Before the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese shogunate adopted a closed-door policy.

(2) During the Meiji Restoration, China implemented the policy of opening to the outside world, introduced western technology, encouraged the development of modern industries, and strived to develop education.

(3) The policy of foreign aggression and expansion after Meiji Restoration.