Modern History Summary Notes

The assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, is one of the most contested events in modern history.
Historians and researchers have debated the reliability of sources, the role of evidence, and different theories about what happened.
The importance of sources and historical interpretation is central to this case study, reflecting the challenges historians face in analyzing past events.
Key issues in historical analysis:
- The reliability of eyewitness accounts.
- The political and social context of the 1960s.
- How bias influences historical conclusions.

Oswald’s Background:
- Born in 1939, Oswald had a troubled childhood.
- Enlisted in the US Marines but was court-martialed twice.
- Defected to the Soviet Union in 1959, claiming allegiance to communism.
- Returned to the US in 1962 with his Russian wife, Marina.
Oswald’s Actions on November 22, 1963:
- Oswald worked at the Texas School Book Depository.
- Witnesses saw him carrying a long package, which he claimed contained curtain rods.
- After the assassination, Oswald left the scene and was later arrested for the murder of Officer J.D. Tippit.
Key Evidence Linking Oswald to JFK’s Murder:
- The 6.5 mm Carcano rifle found on the sixth floor of the Depository was purchased by Oswald under an alias.
- His fingerprints were found on the rifle and boxes at the sniper's nest.
- The Zapruder film captured the exact moment of the assassination, showing Kennedy's fatal head wound.
- The "Magic Bullet" theory claims that one bullet hit both JFK and Governor Connally, causing multiple injuries.

Oswald was arrested at a movie theatre after shooting Officer Tippit.
When questioned, he denied involvement and famously claimed, “I’m just a patsy.”
On November 24, 1963, while in police custody, Oswald was shot and killed by Jack Ruby.
Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner, stated he killed Oswald to spare Jackie Kennedy from a trial.

Established by President Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate JFK’s assassination.
Key Findings:
- Oswald acted alone.
- Three shots were fired:
  1. First shot missed.
  2. Second shot hit JFK’s back and exited through his throat (also hitting Governor Connally).
  3. Third shot hit JFK’s head, causing a fatal wound.
- Jack Ruby also acted alone in killing Oswald.
Problems with the Warren Commission:
- The "Magic Bullet" theory seemed improbable, as one bullet allegedly caused seven wounds.
- Witnesses reported hearing gunshots from the "Grassy Knoll", suggesting a second shooter.
- The Secret Service was blamed for security failures, such as allowing the motorcade to travel at a slow speed through Dealey Plaza.

Conducted a new investigation due to public dissatisfaction with the Warren Commission.
Findings:
- JFK was likely killed as part of a conspiracy.
- Acoustic evidence suggested at least two gunmen.
- The Warren Commission ignored key witnesses who reported gunfire from the Grassy Knoll.

CIA Motivation: JFK planned to reduce CIA power after the Bay of Pigs invasion failure.
Mafia Motivation: JFK and his brother Robert Kennedy were cracking down on organized crime.

Zapruder Film: Shows JFK’s head moving backward, implying a shot from the front, contradicting the lone gunman theory.
Badge Man Theory: A figure in a police uniform is allegedly seen firing a weapon in a photograph.
Umbrella Man Theory: A man raising an umbrella may have been signaling the assassin.

The assassination weakened public trust in the US government.
Conspiracy theories persisted, leading to calls for the release of classified documents.
It remains a case study in historiography, demonstrating how evidence is used to shape different interpretations of history.

Meiji Restoration & Modernisation of Japan

Feudal system with rigid social classes:
- Emperor (symbolic leader)
- Shogun (military dictator)
- Daimyo (lords)
- Samurai (warriors)
- Peasants and Merchants
Sakoku (Isolationist Policy):
- No foreign contact except for limited Dutch and Chinese trade.
- No Christianity allowed.
- Japan lagged behind the West in technology.

US Naval Commander Matthew Perry arrived in Edo Bay with "Black Ships".
Used gunboat diplomacy to force Japan into signing the Treaty of Kanagawa (1854).
Impact:
- Japan had to open ports to US trade.
- Other Western nations also forced Japan into unequal treaties.

Many Japanese saw the Shogun as weak for surrendering to Western demands.
The Sonno Joi Movement ("Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians") wanted to restore imperial rule.
The Satsuma and Choshu domains fought the Shogun's forces and won.
1868: The Meiji Emperor was restored to power.

Land tax reform (taxes based on land value, not rice production).
Industrialisation: Rapid factory and infrastructure development.
Zaibatsu (Powerful Industrial Families) controlled major businesses (e.g., Mitsubishi).

By 1908, Japan was militarily strong enough to challenge Western powers.

Japan became a global power.
Inspired Asian nationalist movements.
Historiographical Debate:
- Oppressive?: Maintained authoritarian rule.
- Pragmatic?: Ensured Japan’s survival.