Political
Describe feudalism in Japan.
Feudalism in Japan had a decentralized structure with samurai, daimyo, and shogun, where the shogun held military power.
With which other states did Japan primarily trade during 1200–1450?
Japan traded with China, Korea, and Vietnam due to cultural and religious similarities.
Describe Japan’s feudal social structure
Japan had serfs (peasants), samurai (protectors), and daimyo (privileged landowners).
What is Shinto?
Shinto is a religion focused on nature, spirits (kami), and purity.
How did Japan’s geography help protect it?
The sea helped keep invaders out.
Compare Japanese feudalism to European feudalism.
Japanese feudalism had samurai following the Bushido code, while European knights followed chivalry. Japan’s shogun had more control.
What role did the zaibatsu play in Japan’s industrial growth?
The zaibatsu helped industrialize Japan by taking over state-run industries, fostering economic growth but increasing inequality.
How did the Shogun control the daimyo?
The Tokugawa Shogunate required daimyo to reside in Tokyo, limiting their power and independence.
How did Shinto influence samurai culture?
Shinto emphasized loyalty, respect for nature, and ancestor worship, influencing the samurai’s way of life.
How did Western industrialization influence Japan?
Japan opened up to trade after seeing Western military strength.
How did the Tokugawa Shogunate rule Japan?
The Tokugawa Shogunate unified Japan, implementing centralized feudalism and restricting the daimyo’s power, preventing conflict.
How did the Meiji Restoration impact Japan’s economy?
It spurred rapid industrialization, but created social inequality and harsh labor conditions.
How did the Meiji Restoration affect women’s roles in Japan?
Women gained more access to education and industrial jobs but faced exploitation and retained few legal rights.
Why did Japan ban Christianity?
Japan banned Christianity to maintain control, fearing loyalty to the Pope would undermine the government.
How did Japan’s industry affect its military?
Japan built a strong military to expand its empire.
What was the Meiji Restoration?
A period of modernization where Japan abolished feudalism, reorganized the military, and introduced democratic reforms.
What were the economic effects of Japan’s isolationism between 1450–1750?
Japan had limited external trade, focusing on domestic production, but became more economically self-sufficient.
Who were the Comfort Women?
Forced into military brothels during WWII, Comfort Women were primarily from Korea and China, suffering physical and emotional abuse.
How did the isolation policy of the Tokugawa Shogunate affect Japan culturally?
Japan limited foreign influence to protect its culture, and Christianity was banned to prevent colonialism.
Why did Japan need resources?
Japan had few natural resources due to being on an island, so it expanded to get more.
What were the causes and effects of Japanese imperialism?
Japan sought natural resources, leading to territorial expansion and conflict with Western powers, ultimately leading to WWII.
Which foreign nations did Japan trade with before closing its doors in the 17th century
Japan traded with China, the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Korea, and Ryuyku Kingdom.
How did the lower classes lives change during the Meiji Restoration?
Social mobility increased, but harsh working conditions, taxes, and urbanization led to poverty.
How did Confucianism impact Japanese culture?
Confucian values such as hierarchy, family loyalty, and respect for authority were integrated into Japan’s political, social, and educational systems
How did Japan’s military change during WWII?
Japan used new strategies like “island hopping” to fight in the Pacific.