2. Inwhat ways does a society’s worldview
affect its ability to adapt to rapid change?
3. Thefirst Western military force to enter
Japan.
TheAmericans had more powerful
weapons than the Japanese. How do you
think this would influence the way the
two countries would deal with each
other?
4. How would the Japanese respond to the
idea of trade with the United States?
How would the other Western countries
respond to US efforts to open up Japan?
What changes would take place in Japan?
What stresses would these changes have
on traditional Japanese society?
5. What factors motivated Japan’s decision
to end its isolation?
• Limited contact with the Portuguese and the
Dutch
• Kept the Russians, British and Americans out
• Perry’s visit was different – this time Japan lost its
battle to remain a closed society due to internal
pressures. Why?
6. • July 14, 1853 sailed into Uraga Harbour (2
steamships, 2 sailing vessels, 977 men, and 66
guns)
• Presented a letter from President Millard
Fillmore.
• Asked for trade and protection for shipwrecked
American sailors/right to buy coal for ships
• Said he would return for an answer
7. • In 1854, Perry returned with 8 black ships and
more troops
• Signed the Treaty of Kanagawa (opened two
Japanese ports to American ships, established an
American consulate in Japan, and accepted the
demands regarding trading rights to the US)
• Japan signed similar treaties with England,
France, the Netherlands, and Russia
8. Perry’s Strategies:
• A strong show of military force
• An insistence on meeting with high-level
representatives of Japanese leadership
• An attitude of patience and persistence
• Why did these contribute to his success?
9. These were known as the “unequal
treaties”
Many Japanese were unhappy with the
terms
They lost control over their trade
10. Howdoes Manifest Destiny help to
explain Perry’s mission to Japan?
ManifestDestiny included the belief that
the west was empty. What impact did
American actions taken as a result of this
belief have on Aboriginal peoples?
11. Whatprivileges does this article give to
the United States?
Why would this article be beneficial from
the American perspective?
What does it suggest about the American
attitude toward Japan?
12. List
under each speaker the ideas he
presents. What similarities and differences
to you see?
Whichof these quotations contain
generalizations? Do you think the
generalizations make the viewpoint less
convincing? Why or why not?
Were you surprised that some Japanese
people celebrated Perry’s arrival? Explain
your thinking.
13. Perry’smilitary strength
Japanese knowledge of what had
happened between European powers
and their Asian neighbours (China) – The
Opium War
14. Coinciding with Perry’s arrival:
• Loss of respect for the shogunate
• Uprising against the inefficiency and corruption
of its officials
15. Motto Ideas Solution(s)
“Honour the Emperor; Japan is the “divine War against Westerners
expel the barbarians” land”; the Japanese are
superior to Westerners Continued isolation
“Eastern ethics and Adopt Western Adopt some elements of
Western science” technology, particularly Western civilization
military equipment, but
keep Japanese values
and morals
No motto Overseas trade is Welcome the
necessary to increase Americans and
the wealth of Japan; Europeans and trade
change is inevitable with them
How do these responses reflect the Japanese pride in their country and its
culture? How do you think being forced to sign the treaties affected their
pride?
16. Whatare some examples of “culture
shock” depicted in the silk scroll and the
woodblock print?
Can you think of any other examples of
“culture shock”?
17. Many people saw the treaties as proof
that the shogun was week.
• Rioting in the streets and other acts of violence
• Daimyo who opposed the shogun were retired or
put under arrest. Their samurai were
imprisoned, exiled, or executed.
• Attacks on foreigners increased (and was
sometimes returned upon them)
18. • In 1868, the shogun resigned, but formally
petitioned the Emperor to take over
• Civil war broke out between those who wanted
to restore the shogunate and those who favoured
rule by the emperor.
• 30,000 troops supporting the emperor blasted a
shogunate stronghold
19. Towhat extent did the changes made
during the Meiji Restoration affect the
lives of Japanese citizens?
20. Prince Mutsuhito/Emperor of Japan
• selected a new name during the first year of his
reign Meiji, which means “enlightened rule”
• The three-year period beginning in 1867 when
the young Emperor Meiji came to the throne is
known as the “Meiji Restoration”.
• His reign lasted until his death in 1912 and is
known as the “Meiji period”
21. Oligarchy– a form of government in
which a small group of people have all
the power
• In Japan, this now consisted of the samurai who
supported the Emperor (advisors) and the
Emperor
22. Control (i.e. China); economic and
military strength (establish it’s place)
TheMeiji leaders began their program of
reform by changing the way Japan was
governed. They had two goals:
• To create a strong central government that could
unite the country and rule it effectively
• To create a form of government closer to the
democracies of the West
23. Symbol of power to the Japanese people
Believed to be the descendant of the sun
goddess Amaterasu.
Began their transformation by
emphasizing that allegiance to the
emperor was the foundation of a strong
nation.
24. Movethe imperial court from Kyoto to
Tokyo (previously Edo), the Capital
Nowthe government and the emperor
were in the same location and the
connection between the two would be
apparent.
25. Meijileaders encouraged the daimyo to
turn over their lands to the state in return
for pensions as compensation
Abolish
the samurai system (now only the
government could collect taxes)
26. Restate each of the 1. Deliberative assembly shall be widely
terms of the Oath in established and all matters decided by public
your own words. discussion.
2. All classes, high and low, shall unite in
Which of the terms vigorously carrying out the administration of
demonstrate a move the affairs of state.
to a more democratic 3. The common people, no less than the civil
government and and military of officials, shall each be allowed
society? to pursue his own calling so that there may be
no discontent.
Which of the terms 4. Evil customs of the past shall be broken off
do you find vague or and everything based upon the just laws of
confusing? Do you nature.
think that they would 5. Knowledge shall be sought throughout the
have been clear to world so as to strengthen the foundation of
the Japanese? imperial rule.
Explain.
27. Commoners were given new rights after
the Charter Oath.
• Allowed to choose where they would live
• Allowed to choose their occupation
• Allowed to have a family surname
• Dress codes were no longer enforced
• Peasants were made outright owners of their
land
• Legislation was passed to end discrimination
against outcasts.
