Isolation of Japan: 7th Grade Finals Review

Study Notes

The Isolation of Japan

Missionaries of Christianity, mostly Catholics, led to fear of European ideas and loss of Japanese traditions
300,000 Japanese had converted to Christianity between 1467 and 1568, during the Sengoku or “Warring States” period
Oda Nobunaga seized control of old feudal estates and used firearms effectively
Tokugawa Ieyasu unified Japan in 1600 and became the shogun in 1603, changing the capital's name from Edo to Tokyo
Ieyasu centralized his power by holding families of daimyo hostage and created a structured society (patriarchal)

Tokugawa Shogunate Rule (1616-1867)

Created stability after centuries of war, chaos, death, and destruction
Peasants suffered and paid high taxes, while merchants and the rich thrived
The Emperor was the figurehead, but the Shogun was the true ruler
The land-holding Samurai (daimyo), the Samurai warriors, the peasants and artisans (4/5ths of the population), and the merchants

Japanese Culture

Buddhism arrived in Japan in the 6th century, followed by Confucianism
Haiku (5-7-5 poem) and Kabuki (elaborate costumes, music, dance, and mime)
Farmers were considered the best citizens, not merchants
Portuguese traders arrived in the 1500s, introducing guns and cannons
Christianity was banned, and Christians were persecuted, punished, and driven out of Japan
All Japanese were forced to demonstrate faithfulness to some branch of Buddhism
The “Closed country policy” was created in 1639, lasting for over 200 years

Exploration of the Americas

Christopher Columbus, funded by Spain, explored the Americas in 1492
Many sought their fortunes or a new life in the Americas, without considering the indigenous peoples' wishes
90% of indigenous people were wiped out by diseases brought by Europeans
Columbus called the inhabitants "Indians," thinking he had found India or the East Indies
Later, he returned as an Empire builder with 17 ships and over 1,000 men

European Exploration and Colonization

Pedro Álvares Cabral sent by Portugal, discovered Brazil in 1500
Amerigo Vespucci believed these lands were a New World, a new continent, not Asia
Ferdinand Magellan, a Spanish explorer, circumnavigated the world in 1522
Conquistadors sought riches, like mercenaries, and wiped out many indigenous people

North American Exploration

Leif Erikson, the First European Explorer, around 1000 CE
Giovanni da Verrazzano, Jacques Cartier, and Samuel Champlain explored and established colonies in North America
New France population in 1760 was about 65,000, with most being Catholic priests and fur traders
The French wanted to make money, while the British wanted to increase their empire

Description

Prepare for your 7th-grade finals by reviewing the causes of Japan's isolation, including the influence of Christian missionaries, fear of European ideas, and the desire to preserve Japanese traditions. Learn about key historical figures like Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu who played pivotal roles in Japan's unification during the Sengoku period.