Identify the Following Terms

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The Answer is The Meiji Constitution, also known as the Constitution of the Empire of Japan, was the fundamental law of the Empire of Japan from 1890 until 1947. It was promulgated by Emperor Meiji of Japan on February 11, 1889, and came into effect on November 29, 1890. The constitution provided for a form of government that was a mix of the Prussian and British models, in particular combining the Prussian constitutional monarchy with the British-style parliamentary system.

Under the Meiji Constitution, the Emperor was the head of state with significant political power, although in practice, much of this power was exercised by the oligarchs and the Genro, a group of senior statesmen. The constitution established a bicameral Imperial Diet consisting of a House of Representatives and a House of Peers. The House of Representatives was elected by a limited franchise of male citizens, while the House of Peers was composed of nobility and imperial appointees.

The constitution declared that sovereignty resided with the Emperor, who also had the divine right to rule. It outlined the Emperor's role in the government, including his supreme command of the army and navy, and his role in foreign affairs. However, the constitution also provided for an independent judiciary and guaranteed certain fundamental human rights, although these rights could be restricted by law.

The Meiji Constitution was a significant step in Japan's transformation from a feudal society into a modern state and played a crucial role in the country's industrialization and militarization leading up to World War II. It was replaced by the post-war Constitution of Japan, which was promulgated on November 3, 1946, and came into effect on May 3, 1947, establishing the current parliamentary system and proclaiming the principle of popular sovereignty.

Identify the Following Terms

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