− | The Imperial Japanese Army, established during the [[Meiji period]], was the first modern/Western style national army in Japan. Built upon a foundation of [[military conscription]] (commoner soldiers, rather than elite warriors), it was initially organized based on a French model, but was reorganized according to Prussian models beginning in [[1878]]. The Imperial Japanese Army saw its first major engagements in the [[Taiwan Expedition of 1874]], the suppression of [[shizoku uprisings]] in the 1870s (including, chiefly, the [[1877]] [[Satsuma Rebellion]]), and the [[Sino-Japanese War]] of [[1894]]-[[1895]]. | + | The Imperial Japanese Army, established during the [[Meiji period]], was the first modern/Western style national army in Japan. Built upon a foundation of [[military conscription]] (commoner soldiers, rather than elite warriors), it was initially organized based on a French model, but was reorganized according to Prussian models beginning in [[1878]]. The Imperial Japanese Army saw its first major engagements in the [[Taiwan Expedition of 1874]], the suppression of [[shizoku rebellions]] in the 1870s (including, chiefly, the [[1877]] [[Satsuma Rebellion]]), and the [[Sino-Japanese War]] of [[1894]]-[[1895]]. |
| Following difficulties and failures in Taiwan, Kyûshû, and elsewhere, in 1878 [[Yamagata Aritomo]] initiated a thorough reorganization of the military. This included strengthening the reserves, and the domestic manufacture of modern military equipment in considerable volume. Yamagata also established a training college, where new and modern/Western training methods were incorporated; most of the generals and educators at the training school were from Yamagata's home province of [[Choshu province|Chôshû]]. | | Following difficulties and failures in Taiwan, Kyûshû, and elsewhere, in 1878 [[Yamagata Aritomo]] initiated a thorough reorganization of the military. This included strengthening the reserves, and the domestic manufacture of modern military equipment in considerable volume. Yamagata also established a training college, where new and modern/Western training methods were incorporated; most of the generals and educators at the training school were from Yamagata's home province of [[Choshu province|Chôshû]]. |