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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the Emperor required to study?

2. How many people lived in Edo?

3. To whom did the Shoguns send a copy of the letter that Commodore Perry brought?

4. About how many samurai were there in Japan when Perry arrived?

5. What are the American ships ordered to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who were the lower classes in the cities and what was one advantage to their class?

2. Why did the Dutch submit to the rigid restrictions of the Japanese?

3. Describe the two opposing camps to the idea of a treaty with the Americans.

4. Describe the scene when the Susquehanna and Mississippi landed.

5. What was special about the Englishman, Will Adams?

6. What was Edo's first response to the messengers and why is it amazing?

7. What percentage of Japanese were farmers and what was their life like?

8. What was one consequence of the Japanese's isolation for the Americans?

9. What happened on Friday, July 8th, 1853, at the opening of the book?

10. What happened after Shogun Ieyasu died?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Despite being seen as a child of the sun goddess, Amaterasu, the Emperor only presided over religious ceremonies, and was otherwise a mere puppet. Discuss the following:

1. Who held the real power in Japan? Why? How did he/they hold on to their power?

2. How did those who held the reins of power gain that power?

3. Do you think the Emperor preferred to be a mere figurehead? Or do you think most Emperors of those times in Japan would prefer to have a voice in the decisions of the country in which he supposedly governs?

4. Research the reign of Emperor Meiji and compare/contrast his reign to that of the Emperor Komei, who held the position of Emperor when Commodore first arrived in Japan.

Essay Topic 2

Many technologically advanced cultures then as now often view those who were more agrarian or less technologically advanced as inferior. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss why you think technologically advanced cultures often believe they are superior to agrarian or less technologically advanced cultures. Include Japan and the United States from the perspective of what you have read in Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun.

2. Do you believe technologically advanced cultures are superior to agrarian or less technologically advanced cultures? Defend your view.

3. Research the topic of how technology has sometimes changed people's life for the worse and write an informative essay on the subject.

Essay Topic 3

The Industrial Revolution is mentioned a number of times in the novel Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the level of technology present in Japan to the level present in the United States in the mid-1800s.

2. Research and discuss the technological inventions that amazed the Japanese people: These include the steam engine, telegraph, camera, telescope, rifles and folding ladder. When was each invented? How different was the invention then compared to a similar thing today? Are any of the "new" inventions from that time no longer in use now? Which ones? Why are they no longer in use?

3. The Shogunate deliberately kept Japan from becoming industrialized through keeping Japan isolated. Discuss why you think the Shogunate made this decision.

(see the answer keys)

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