Meiji Restoration

Open Ended

Think about a time when a traditional system was forced to change (e.g., in your school or community). Do you believe that rapid changes always lead to a ‘better’ society? In one or two sentences, share your opinion and give an example.

Multiple Choice

Which term refers to Japan’s transformation into a centrally governed country with defined borders and citizens?

• Confucianism

• Industrialization

• Nation-State

• Samurai

Open Ended

How did Confucianism shape who could hold which jobs in Tokugawa Japan?

Open Ended

In one or two sentences, explain what a samurai was in Tokugawa Japan.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following remained the same in Japan from 1185 to 1868?

• The emperor held actual governing power

• The Tokugawa shogunate enforced strict isolation from most Europeans

• Merchants were free to trade at all Japanese ports

• Peasants could choose any occupation they wanted

Open Ended

One continuity in Japan’s political structure before 1868

Open Ended

Why was the arrival of American warships such a shock to the Japanese? What domestic problems did Matthew Perry’s arrival worsen?

Open Ended

The Tokugawa Shogunate had kept the emperor as a figurehead and religious symbol. This article is titled the “Meiji Restoration”, did the restoration actually place the emperor back into power? Use evidence from the article to explain your reasoning.

Open Ended

After the restoration, the emperor put many samurai into government and into positions of power. But how was this different from the previous political system?

Open Ended

What steps did the reformers take to modernize Japan?

Open Ended

Why was Japan’s victory over Russia so important?