1. The Last Samurai: Modernization of Japan

3. Themes Portrayed in Movie
East vs. West (Clash of Cultures)
Japan during Meiji Restoration
Traditional Japanese Culture
Bushido
Rebellion

8. The Indian Problem Goal was to open up lands for settlement
Mid-1800s policy changed to seizing land and forcing Native Americans onto reservations
Goal was to open up lands for settlement
Land was taken from tribes included the Sioux, Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Comanche

10. Indian Wars 1861-1890 Result of Manifest Destiny
Sand Creek Massacre (1864)
Wounded Knee Massacre (1890)
At end of Indian Wars: Population was only 250,000 down from 2.5 million when Columbus arrived

12. Battle of Little Bighorn (1876)
4,000 Sioux warriors massacred 200 U.S. soldiers led by General George Armstrong Custer

14. Modernization of Japan
1853 Commodore Matthew Perry reaches Japan
A year later the Treaty of Kanagawe is signed opening Japan to Trade with the United States
Contributes to collapse of the Shogunate (old way of doing things in Japan) and the transformations of the Meiji Restoration

16. Meiji Restoration (“Enlightened Rule”)
Emperor Mutsuhito transformed Japan into industrial nation
Stripped power from the Daimyo
Constitution written-Emperor as a figurehead with Prime Minister and his cabinet of ministers with most of the power

18. Jules Brunet Nathan Algren character French Army officer in 1867
Sent to Japan to help modernize military as artillery instructor
Fought in Boshin War: Shogun faced off with Imperial forces

20. Takamori Saigo Katsumoto character Originally backed Meiji Emperor
Resigned his role in government in 1874 after handling of Samurai
Started schools teaching students traditional ways including Bushido in the Satsuma region

21. Historical Liberties American role in modernization
Inability of Japanese and refusal of Samurai soldiers to use new weapons
Comparison between Japanese and Native Americans
Motivation of Samurai Rebellion

22. The Last Samurai depicts the Meiji Restoration
The Last Samurai depicts the Meiji Restoration. What is being changed in Japanese society? Why?
The Samurai rebel against these changes. Is their rebellion comparable to Spartacus and his followers? (Motivation, Final Battle, Outcome)
Many parts of this movie are considered “Hollywood Fiction”. Despite this, there are parts of this movie that could be used as a historical source. What are they? In your opinion, is there anything that was changed from history that makes the movie a complete bad source of information? Why or Why Not?