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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 a geographical characteristic of Shimoda?

2. What was Commodore Perry permitted to do?

3. What would the Japanese officers give American ships?

4. What might the people resist upon Perry's next return?

5. What did the Japanese first say to Commodore Perry's request for a treaty?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What did Commodore Perry say to the Japanese about wanting a treaty and the consequences of not getting one?

4. On April 10th, 1854, where did the Commodore take one of his ships and what was the result?

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

6. When did the Shogun die and why was that of concern to Commodore Perry?

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

8. How did the behaviors of the Shimoda villagers change and what was the result?

9. Who was Sam Patch and why was he terrified? What happened?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

When Shogun Ieyasu died in 1616, being a Christian became punishable by death and Christians were persecuted en masse. The cross was stamped annually and even in the nineteenth century, the Dutch and formerly Christian Japanese families were force to stamp Christian symbols. Discuss the following:

1. Research the persecution of Christians in Japan in under the Tokugawa Shoganate and write an informative essay about the topic. Include your thoughts on why the Shoganate was ohstile towards Christianity and whether you think the hostility had any justification.

2. How do you think Japanese Chrisitans could have impacted the status quo? Consider the idea that all are equal in God's eyes according to many Christian denominations.

3. What is an example of a nation in the 21st century who practices religious intolerance? Compare/contrast their manifestation of intolerance with that of Japan in earlier centuries.

4. What do you think is the reason some people/nations are intolerant of religions that are different from their own?

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not? Do you think Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun has a "happy" ending?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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