Edo Japan, Meiji Restoration, and Spanish/Aztec Empires

Japan

  • Edo Japan: 1603-1868
  • Emperor: Hereditary ruler
  • Daimyo: Ruled land and regions
  • Shogun: Leaders of military government
  • Bakufu: Centralized military government
  • Han: Local government in each domain

Reasons for Japanese Isolation

  • Avoidance of Western Ideas
  • Prevention of Colonies
  • Ensuring Safety & Sovereignty
  • Fear of Christianity
  • Closed Country Edict:
    1. Japanese ships forbidden to travel
    2. No Japanese people are permitted to leave
    3. Japanese people cannot re-enter the country
    4. No Christianity
    5. Portuguese ships banned from ports
  • Bakufu aimed to prevent daimyo contact to maintain power

Key Cities in Edo Period

  • Edo (Tokyo):
    • City of water with canals
    • Center of Shogun
    • Good port
  • Kyoto:
    • Easy river access
    • Center for luxury goods
  • Osaka:
    • Developed around a protected harbor
    • Center of economy, especially rice

Effects of Isolation

  • Merchant class became wealthier
  • Increased interest in luxury goods and art
  • Kabuki: Live-action soap operas
  • Bunraku: Puppet theatre (non-human)

Social Hierarchy

  1. Tokugawa Ieyasu (Shogun)
  2. Samurai
  3. Farmers
  4. Artisans
  5. Merchants
  6. Outcasts
    • Non-humans
  • Samurai's code of conduct: Bushido
  • The Ainu: First nations of Japan, forced to assimilate

Don't Think Twice Edict

  • Instructed Japanese to turn away all foreigners without hesitation
  • China's experience of being tricked into signing a treaty with Britain embarrassed them.
  • Bakufu rethought isolation due to fear of invasion; initial complacency changed
  • DEITC: Dutch East India Trading Company
    • A combination of companies. Large and impressive.
    • Had a monopoly on trade.

US Involvement

  • Desired a coal station and assistance for shipwrecked sailors
  • Commodore Perry proposed treaties with Japan, leading to the end of isolation

Responses to Western Influence

  • Adapt: Acknowledge that trade is inevitable and adopt Western tech to become powerful
  • Deny: Remain isolated, demolish the class system
  • The government stepped down and formed a new one under Emperor Meiji
  • Stories were crafted to persuade the public of the need for change

Charter Oath

  • Assemblies shall be widely established
  • All classes shall unite
  • Common people shall be allowed to pursue their callings
  • Evil customs shall be ended
  • Knowledge sought
  • New leaders were young samurai
  • Iwakura Mission: sent to gather ideas worldwide

Meiji Era

  • Eliminated hierarchy, strengthened unity

  • Japan aimed for a strong military

    • To defend themselves
    • To maintain internal strength
    • Political goal: become a colonial power

  • Education was reformed; mandatory schooling for all children, not just samurai children, with a set curriculum

Spain

Spain - Historical Context

  • 711 AD: Moors crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from North Africa and ruled Spain for 700 years.
  • Muslim influence.
  • Reconquista: Effort to retake Iberian land from Muslim control.
  • Christians believed it was their duty to convert.
  • Conquistadors fought for country and God.
  • Ferdinand and Isabella unified Spain and established Christianity as the main religion.

Spanish Inquisition

  • Jews and Muslims were expelled from Spain to enforce Christian dominance.
  • Moors contributed learning and architecture.

Aztecs

  • Huitzilopochtli: Sun god requiring daily human sacrifices to ensure the sun rises.

Settlement

  • Aztecs settled on an island in Lake Texcoco after seeing an eagle on a cactus holding a rattlesnake.

Spanish Empire

  • Queen and King held the highest power.
  • Population decrease after plague, resulting in less food and agricultural output.
  • Acquired land but lacked agricultural expertise.
  • Noble families emerged.
  • Economy suffered.
  • Traded for guns but lacked wood.
  • Silver and gold were sent back, causing massive inflation.

Aztec Empire

  • Emperor Huey Hatoani represented Huitzilopochtli and held absolute authority.
  • Tribute ensured a steady flow of resources like food, cacao beans, lumber, cotton, and luxury items.
  • Farming utilizing chinampas (floating gardens) to grow food.

Contact and Conquest

  • Spain had contact with Europe and North Africa, along with advanced technology.
  • Spain aimed to expand its territories and claim land.
  • Aztecs lacked knowledge of other cultures and were unfamiliar with the Spanish.
  • Aztecs gave gifts to Cortés, hoping he would leave.
  • Cortés, with only 500 men, took over and asserted power.

Fall of the Aztec Empire

  • Cortés attacked, attempting to escape with gold.
  • Noche Triste: Many Spanish died during their escape.
  • Aztecs were infected with smallpox.
  • Cortés laid siege on the Aztecs, and the Spanish destroyed the city.
  • Cortés claimed the area and named it New Spain.