Figure 1.--These boys at this Japanese primary school wore the Prussian cadet uniforms, although the rurle does not seem to have been strictly enforced. We do not know if parents objected or a clean uniform was just not availavle oin the day the photograph was taken. These uniforms were more common in secondary schools, but were worn at some primary schools as well. The snapshot was taken in year 45 which would be 1971 (45th year of Emperor Hirohito's reign). The girls do not wear the sailor suit uniforms that were almost universal in secondary schools.

Military uniform garments are most commomnly associated with military schools. Actually we see them at both military schools and regular public schools. Some of these schools had military components as part of the curiculum, but they were not military schools. Military uniforms were most common at the secondary level, but we do see them at primary schools as well. Some countries and schools within countries were more noted for military style uniforms than other countries. This was the case both at both military and non-military schools. Here we are still collecting uniforms. Our information is incomplete, but we have acquired some preliminary information. Japan is one of the best known country where military uniforms were worn. After the Mejii Restoration (1860s), the Ministry of Education chose Prussian cadet uniforms for the boys and sailor suits for the girls. The uniforms were not required in rural primary schools, but the boys often did wear the Prussian cadet caps. Tsarist Russia had military uniforms for secondary students. The Soviet Union also introduced military-styled blazers for the boys, eapecially after World War II. The girls, however, wore non-military style dresses and pinafores. We notice some French students wearing military uniforms in the late-19th and early-20th cntury. Military uniforms were also worn by individual schools in various countries. We notice cadet schools in Germany and Austria. There were a few British schools where military uniforns were worn. And students at American military schools where uniforms, mostly army styled uniforms. Military uniforms were most common for boys. The major exception was Japan which had the sailor suit outfits for girls. The sailor suit, however, is a uniform style that is often not seen as an actual military uniform. This has changed somewhat in recent years as girls have been admitted in the military and military schools began accepting female students.

School Types

Military uniform garments are most commomnly associated with military schools. Actually we see them at both military schools and regular public schools. Some of these schools had military components as part of the curriculum, but they were not military schools. Miliitary uniforms were most common at the secondary level, but we do see them at primary schools as well.

Countries

Some countries and schools within countries were more noted for military style uniforms than other countries. Japan is one of the best known country where military uniforms were worn. After the Mejii Restoration (1860s), the Ministry of Education chose Prussian cadet uniforms for the boys and sailor suits for the girls, although these uniforms were not worn at all schools. The uniforms were not required in rural primary schools, but the boys often did wear the Prussian cadet caps. We believe that this was primarily an economic matter with many rural people unable to afford the uniforms. We also see Army-styled uniforms at Japanese schools durung the first half of the 20th century. They disappeared very rapidly after World War II.Tsarist Russia had military uniforms for secondary students. The Soviet Union also introduced military-styled blazers for the boys, eapecially after World War II. The uniforms were droped with the disolution of the Soviet Union (1992). The girls, however, wore non-military style dresses and pinafores. We also see uniforms in some of the Eastern Ruropean satellite countries after World War II. We notice some French students wearing military uniforms in the late-19th and early-20th cntury. Military uniforms were also worn by individual schools in various countries. We notice cadet schools in Germany and Austria. The NAZI Party schools had uniforms. There were a few British schools where military uniforns were worn. And several British schools had cadet programs. And students at American military schools where uniforms, mostly army styled uniforms. Uniforms were also worn at the American boarding schools established for Native Americans.

Chronology

Military style uniforms seem more common in the 19th century than the 20th century. Russian secondary students wore uniforms. Prussian and Austrian cadets wore uniforms. We also notice military uniforms in France although we are not yet sure about the chonology and school types. The Japanese after the Mejii restoration (1860s)chose military uniforms for their new public school system. Many American privte schools founded in the 19th century were military schools and had military uniforms, some even participated in the Civil War. These basic trends continued in the 20th century, although after World war I we rarely see French children wearing military uniforms.

Specific Garments

Gender

Military uniforms were most common for boys. The major exception was Japan which had the sailor suit outfits for girls. The sailor suit, however, is a uniform style that is often not seen as an actual military uniform. This has changed somewhat in recent years as girls have been admitted in the military and military schools began accepting female students.

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Created: 8:41 PM 9/1/2011
Last updared: 8:41 PM 9/1/2011