Japan
Tokugawa Shogunate
The Tokugawa Shogunate was a feudal regime in Japan that was established by Tokygawa Leyasu. This time was called the Edo Period. The city was called Edo which is modern day Tokyo. Tokugawa Leyasu defeated hsi rivals to become master of Japan. Three years later, he was named shogun. The Tokugawa showguns were determined to end feudal warfare. They imposed all central government control on all Japan, but they maintained the outward forms of feudal society. For that reason, their government system is called centralized feudalism. The Tokugawas created a unified, orderly society. To control the people in this society, required great Lords to live in the capital of Edo. A Daimyo, One of the great lords who were vassals of the shogun, and his wife and family would live in Edo full time. The daimyo was forbade to repair their castles or marry without permission.
Visit this link to see the history of the Tokugawa's:
http://saznj.tripod.com/genealogy.html
Visit this link to see the history of the Tokugawa's:
http://saznj.tripod.com/genealogy.html
Feudal Society
Feudal warfare swept Japan in the 1400s. A new Japanese culture arose. The emperor presided over the splendid court at Heian, rival clans battled for control of the countryside. As these armies struggled for power, a feudal system evolved. As this was happening, a warrior aristocracy dominated Japanese society. The emperor stood at the head of Japanese feudal society, but the real power was appointed shogun in 1192. Some Japanese noblewomen in feudal society trained in martial arts. A few even became ledgenday warriors. When the Samurai, or the lesser warriors, increased, the position of the women declined steadily. When fuedal warware increased, inheiratence was limited to sons. During the feudal age, most fighting took place between rival warlords. The Mongols came into Japan thinking that they would defeat it but the Japanese held the Mongols off.
Bushido
The lesser warriors, called the samurai, were heavily armed and trained in the skills of fighting, The also developed their own code of values. These values were called bushidio, or the "Way of the Warrior." The code emphasized honor, bravery, and absolute loyalty to one's lord.
Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry, who was born on April 10, 1794, was the Commodore of the U.S. Navy. He had served many wars, most notably was the Mexican-American War and the War of 1812.Matthew Perry was considered the "Father of the Stream Navy." Perry showed an extreme interest in Japan. He read widely amongst available books about Tokugawa Japan. On March 31, 1854 reps of Japan and the U.S. signed a historic treaty. Matthew Perry negotiated tirelessly for several months with Japanese officials to achieve the goal of opening the doors of trade with Japan. Perry finally got his way and played a leading role in the opening of Japan to the west with convention of Kanagawa in 1854. Perry died shortly after on March 4, 1858 of natural causes.
Meiji Restoration
Military dictators known as shoguns governed Japan for some 600 years, well into the 1800's. By the mid-1800s, industrialization and the growth of trade had created new groups of wealthy Japanese who challed the traditional class structure. Also, Western powers threatened Japan's self imposed isolation from outside "barbarians." In 1858, the shogun, against the emperors wishes, gave in to American demands and signed a treaty giving the United States trading rightss. The resulting antiforeign uprising swept the shogum from power in 1868 and restored direct rule to the emperor, in what is called the Meiji Restoration.
Sino-Japanese War
1st Sino-Japanese War:
- Japanese pressure on China led to the Sino-Japanese War in 1894.
- Ended in disaster for China
- Japan gained the Island of Taiwan.
2nd Sino-Japanese War:
- Marco Polo bridge-Beijing July 7,1937
- Bombing of Shanghai August 13, 1937
- Invasion of Shaghai
- Rape of Nanking
- Japanese pressure on China led to the Sino-Japanese War in 1894.
- Ended in disaster for China
- Japan gained the Island of Taiwan.
2nd Sino-Japanese War:
- Marco Polo bridge-Beijing July 7,1937
- Bombing of Shanghai August 13, 1937
- Invasion of Shaghai
- Rape of Nanking
Russo-Japanese War
The clash between the two expansion-minded neighbors led to war in the early 1900's. The prize was China's liaodog peninsula and its main city, Port Arthur. Japan saw the peninsula asan entryway to the Asian mainland which Russia saw the port as a perfect home for its paciric fleet. Russia seized the peninsula in 1898. Because of this, Japan was building its military. In 1904, Japan attacked the Russian Fleet at Port Arthur and launched a successful invasion. The war ended in 1905 and Japan won the peninsula from Russia.
Hirohito
Hirohito was the 124th emperor of Japan and sat on the ancient throne. The reigned from 1926-1989, which was during a period of internal unrest, foreign expansion, international war, and national defeat. He was the occupant of Japan's throne for 63 years, making him the longest living ruler in modern history. Shortly after Hirohito took the throne, Japan's relations with the outside world began to fall apart. Japanese military officers sparked conflict with Manchuria without Hirohito's approval. Hirohito soon found his military involved in the Asian mainland. Hirohito was not a big fan of the war and he tried to find ways to stop i tfrom happening. When the revolt was about to occur in Tokyo, he stopped it and punished all who were involved. The rebels and ranking generals were forced into early retirement. But, the country continued to drift to war. His advisors urged Hirohito to stay away from all forms of politics, which he did so. These situations made him feel uneasy. He didn't favor the alliance with Italy and Germany in WWII. By the Summer of 1945, defeat was at Japan's hand and they finally surrendered by Fall. There was much discussion about whether Emperor Hirohito should be punished as a war criminal. He finally stepped down from the throne later on.
"They do not depend upon mere legends and myths. They are not predicated on the false conception that the Emperor is divine and that the Japanese people are superior to other races."
-Emperor Hirohito
"They do not depend upon mere legends and myths. They are not predicated on the false conception that the Emperor is divine and that the Japanese people are superior to other races."
-Emperor Hirohito
Manchuria
Manchuria was a Northern Chinese province that was rich in natural resources, and Japanese business had already invested heavily there. As the economy worsened, Japanese nationalists believed that they should set their sights on Manchuria. In 1931, a group of Japanese army officers provoked an incident that provided an excuse to seize Manchuria. They set explosives and blew up tracks on a Japanese-owned railroad line, claiming that the Chinese has committed the crime. The army attacked Chinese forces. Without consulting their government about it, the Japanese military conquered all of Manchuria and set up a puppet state there that they called Manzhouguo.
Nanking / Nanjing
Early Ming rulers moved the capital of China to Naking, or Nanjing, because they sought to reassert Chinese greatness after the years of foreign rulers that they had. Nanjing was a home to many industries, including porcelain, paper, and tools. The Ming repaired the extensive canal system that linked to various regions, made trade easier, and allowed cities to grow. The new technology increased output in manufacturing. There was also a revival or arts and literacy. Artists developed their own styles of landscape painting and created brilliant, beautiful pieces of blue and white porcelain. They started trade and Ming vases were by far the most valuable and popular Chinese products exported to the West.