Review Guide: Japan, Edo Period, and Isolationism

Adaptation: The process of changing to adjust to new situations or influences.
Modernization: Adopting new ideas, technologies, and systems to make a country more modern.
Isolationism: A political choice to voluntarily limit contact with other countries.
Isolation vs. Isolationism: Isolation is a physical state of being separated, whereas isolationism is a deliberate policy to cut oneself off from the world.

Japan is a mountainous archipelago, which naturally isolates the country and encourages a desire for protection.
Advantages: Provides natural protection and security.
Limitations: Results in few resources, a dependency on external trade, and limited intergroup contact.

Shogunate: A military government where the Shogun holds the real authority.
Central Power: Essential for maintaining stability, stopping wars between local lords, and imposing authority nationwide.
Daimyo: Local lords who control specific regions under the Shogun's authority.

Hierarchy: Society is structured with fixed roles for each group to ensure order, stability, and the avoidance of chaos.
Confucianism: Provides the moral framework for social order, valuing respect (especially for elders), hierarchy, loyalty, and duty.
Samurai Evolution: During the Edo period, Samurai transitioned from warriors to administrators while maintaining values of loyalty and discipline.

Motivations: To protect Japanese culture, power, and sovereignty from foreign influence.
Methods: Prohibiting foreigners, limiting travel, and strictly controlling trade.
Positive Effects: Promotion of peace, stability, and the development of a unique Japanese identity and strong traditions.
Negative Effects: Technological lag and restricted freedom of ideas and international exchange.
Economic Change: Growth led to new roles for merchants and artisans, though the dominant social order remained intact.