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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. Where did Commodore Perry and the Japanese decide that the Americans could land?

2. Who returned to negotiate with Commodore Perry?

3. When did the Japanese say they would open a harbor?

4. What was one reason Perry was happy with the treaty?

5. What show did the Americans present?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where did the Commodore and staff go and what bothered the Commodore about the women there?

2. What horrified the Japanese about the Americans at the banquet, but how did the Japanese behave anyway?

3. When was the Treaty House completed and what did Commodore Perry demand that they change?

4. What were some of the squadron members permitted to do?

5. What made Perry decide to sail to Japan despite the Shogun's death?

6. Why was Commodore Perry happy with the treaty?

7. Enumerate the major points of the treaty that was signed between the United States and Japan.

8. Where did Commodore Perry decide to visit?

9. How did the Japanese believe they had saved face, but did they really?

10. Describe the exchange between Perry and the Japanese about shipwrecked sailors.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

Rhoda Blumberg has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave her work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think The Hundred Days qualifies as an Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the people, technology, ideas, etc... are portrayed?

3. Are the Americans more or less advanced than you pictured for the mid -1800s? Explain with examples. Are the Japanese more or less advanced than you pictured for the mid -1800s? Explain with examples.

(see the answer keys)

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