1. Modernization of Japan
Imperialism of Japan
The Shogun and the Emperor
Mathew Perry and U.S. trade, 1854
The Meiji Leaders
The Shogun and “unequal treaties” with imperialist powers
The samurai and the overthrow of the Shogun in 1865
Emperor Mutsuhito
Meiji “Enlightened emperor”
The Meiji rulers sought to strengthen Japan to compete with the Western nations
“Rich country, strong military”
Industrialization
1870s- economic development
Revised tax structure
Modern currency
Infrastructure- railroads, telegraph lines, ports
Technology and population growth
Japan as a world power
Japan’s need for more natural resources and the growth of Japanese imperialism (beginning in the 1890s)

2. The Last Samurai
Explain in detail what happened at the Battle of Washita in Include dates, places, and people involved.*
To what extent were the Japanese receptive to European trade and influence before 1854?
Who were the Japanese samurai?
Discuss the role of the samurai in Japanese society before the late nineteenth century.
Who was Matthew C. Perry and how did he alter the relationship between Japan and the West?
How did Japan begin to change in the 1870s?
Who were the Meiji?
Who was Jules Brunet? What was his nationality? How is he significant to Japanese history?
Research the Japanese samurai warrior Saigo Takamori and explain who he was and how he was significant to the early modern period of Japanese history.