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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. When was the latest ratification that take place of the treaty?

2. Who did Perry see still approaching Japan?

3. What was one thing Perry never did during his visits to Japan?

4. To what did the Japanese invite the Americans after the treaty signing?

5. What did Commodore Perry say could start a war?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What was the first approach the Japanese took towards the United States request for a treaty?

3. Why was Commodore Perry happy with the treaty?

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

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

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

7. Where did Commodore Perry decide to visit?

8. What was Hokkaido like and how did the first contact with them go for the Americans?

9. What were some of the impacts of the treaty signing between the Americans and the Japanese?

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

The Tokugawa period in Japan's history is often called The Great Peace, as there were few domestic revolts. Trade prospered and cities grew. Literacy rose, the arts flourished and the people were civilized and the government organized. However, the people had no freedom and lived under a social system of incredibly rigid rules. Discuss the following:

1. Is peace worth the cost, i.e., the repression of new ideas; rigid class system and strict social mores? This is what it took for The Great Peace during the Tokugawa period?

2. Could the peace that Japan experienced have been an illusion? Do you think the lower classes felt peaceful being oppressed?

3. Research a time when another country had a golden age of peace and compare/contrast it to the era of The Great Peace in Japan. How are they alike? How are they different? Did each country have to give up much in order to maintain internal peace?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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