Chapter 7

What’s the social system in Japan during the Tokugawa period?

Emperor
A symbolic figure with no actual authority

Shōgun
The supreme military commander who governed Japan

Daimyo
Noble lords and vassals under the shōgun, who were influential landowners

Samurai
The warrior class, serving as well paid retainers to the daimyō, following the bushidō code

Ronin
A wandering samurai with no master or lord

Peasants
Farmers and others who paid taxes, ranking highest among the lower classes. Most Japanese people were peasants.

Artisans
Skilled workers who crafted items from metal and wood, including swords

Merchants
Traders who sold goods made by others, considered the lowest class

Why was Japan a closed country?

To prevent the spread of Christianity and reduce foreign influence. Only Chinese and Dutch merchants were allowed to trade and even that was under strict government supervision.

How long was the Tokugawa era?

From 1630s to 1868.

What happened before 1868?

The shogun held governing power.

Daimyo controlled regional domains.

Society had a strict hierarchy.

Foreign contact was restricted.

What happened after 1868?

Tokugawa rule ended.

Imperial rule was restored.

The Meiji government began reforms to

strengthen Japan.

Why did Japan open up to the world?

Perry's 'Black Ships' steam into Edo Bay demanding open ports by threatening them through naval power.

How did the Tokugawa era end?

Internal Factors

- High taxes - Crop failures caused poverty and peasant uprisings - Many samurai faced financial difficulties. - Wealthy merchants had low social status and limited political influence. - Powerful domains, including Satsuma and Chōshū, opposed the shogunate. - Support grew for restoring political power to the emperor.

External Factors

- Commodore Perry’s arrival in 1853 - Western military strength exposed weaknesses in Japan’s defences. - Unequal treaties reduced Japan’s control over foreign trade and affairs. - Foreign trade contributed to economic disruption and rising prices. - The shogunate’s concessions to foreign powers weakened confidence in its leadership.

Why did Japan modernise?

Foreign pressure -

Leaders feared foreign domination and wanted to avoid China’s experience.

The Charter Oath of 1868 -

The government committed to seeking knowledge from around the world to strengthen Japan.

Why did Japan become increasingly militaristic in the 1930s?

The Great Depression weakened Japan's economy and government, allowing the military to gain power and push for expansion.

How did Japan's involvement in World War II end?

Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945 after major defeats and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

What’s the Great depression?

The Great Depression (1929–late 1930s) was a worldwide economic crisis that caused businesses to collapse, unemployment to rise and poverty to spread.

What happened to Japan after WW1?

America took over and helped rebuild the country and after alot of hard work Japan got fixed and became the second world largest economy.

How did the US occupation change Japan?

Japan became a democracy, introduced a new constitution, gave women voting rights and renounced war.

How did Japan achieve the Japanese Miracle?

Government investment, skilled workers, US support and increased demand helped Japan become the world's second-largest economy by the 1970s.

Whats happening to Japan’s population?

Japan has an ageing population and fewer babies being born. The government tries to encourage families and immigration, but progress is limited.

What happended to the Emperor in the Meiji era?

The emperor was restored to the centre of government and became the symbol of Japan's national power, with the idea that he was a divine ruler.

What happended to the Emperor after the Meiji era?

The 1947 Constitution makes the emperor a symbol of the nation, with no political power.