Russia,+Japan,+and+the+West

=Russia=

1. What was the Decemberist uprising? What were its causes and effects?

The Decemberist uprising was a revolt of Western-oriented army officers due to censureship of intellectuals who tried to incorporate liberal or radical political views/ideas. Nicholas I, the new tsar, stilled more adamant conservatism, and repression of political opponents stiffened, alongside the secret police gaining more power. Political criticism was monitored in schools and newspapers, and only managed to flourish outside of Russia.

2. What were the weaknesses of the Russian economy?

The weaknesses of the Russian economy were that it was not as industrialized as other Western European nations. They remained largely an agrarian nation w/ little improvement to their economy, unlike the West.

3. What caused the Crimean War? What were its major effects?

The Crimean War was caused by a religious conflict between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. Russia asserted its right to protect Christian interests in the Holy Land, but England and France did not want a major power coming in and taking over the Ottoman Empire due to a possible threat to India and pride in being a supporter of Christianity, respectively. Russia lost to the West, and it was because of this loss that Russia realized that they had to make reforms in military and in the economy.

4. Why were serfs emancipated? How did their emancipation differ from the emancipation of slaves in the U.S.? What changes did it create?

Serfs were emancipated because Russia wanted to develop a more vigorous and mobile labor force and be able to industrialize like the West. Their emancipation differed from the emancipation of slaves in the U.S because the serfs actually got most of the lands that they were working on, albeit, not the most fertile land. Changes from the emancipation included the creation of a larger urban labor force, but with that, came more uprisings as a result of discontent from being taxed and the like.

5. What were the Zemstvoes? How successful were they?

The Zemstvoes were local political councils that had power in regulating roads, schools, and other regional policies. They were in ways a local government, with no national power, for the people, now that the nobility no longer ruled the peasantry. They were successful in providing the middle class with some power; the middle class people, such as lawyers and doctors, gained political experience as a result of the Zemstvoes.

6. What was the significance of the Trans-Siberian railroad?

The significance of the Trans-Siberian Railroad is that the railroad boom directly helped to stimulate the expansion of Russia's iron and coal sectors by connecting Russia to the Pacific, as well as the export of grain to the West. It opened Siberia up for new development, increasing Russia as a nation with a high Asian role.

7. What economic reforms were enaced by Sergei Witte?

Sergei Witte enacted high tariffs to protect the bustling new Russian industries, improved banking system, and encouraged Western investors to build great factories with advanced technology.

8. What were the signs that Russia was headed to revolution? (think about - intelligentsia, anarchists, Marxists, Bolsheviks.)

The signs that Russia was headed to revolution first occurred with the intelligentsia and other people advocating for social and political rights; their desire for these rights often prompted them to conduct radical attacks on facilities. Other radicals that soon came after were the anarchists who wanted to abolish the government of Russia completely. Terrorism here was also a common trend due to failure to unify the peasants in a massive revolt. The Marxists brought new doctrines from the West to Russia, offering the idea of a proletariat revolution, an idea that appealed to many. In response, the Bolsheviks were a group of Russian Marxists who strongly and actively advocated this idea within the government, being a minor party.

=Japan=

1. Explain major developments in Japan in the early 1800's.

In the early 1800s, Japan gradually became more secular, while intellectual life and culture became more popular, seen in the spread of academies and schools, like commoner schools called **terakoya**. Neo-Confucianism continued to be popular among the ruling elite, while Buddhism suffered. At this time, there was tensions between the conservatives and the reformists. Japan also began to steer away from Chinese influences after realizing that the Dutch were more technologically advanced and their ideas more superior. Commerce began to expand due to industrialization, stemmed from the Western challenge. Protests coming from the peasantry against the elite inspired change once it was backed up by Western forces.

2. What effect did the actions of Commodore Perry have on Japan? (include details on Samurai discontent)

Commodore Perry's actions had forced Japan into trading with the U.S. and be allowed to have a U.S consul stationed there. Representatives of the U.S. would also not be forced to follow Japan's laws but rather U.S's laws. His actions had caused the daimyos and the samurais to appeal to the emperor due to the large influx of European influences. Some samurais who were unhappy with the changes attacked the foreigners with American Civil War weapons, and Japan was thrusted into its own Civil War. The defeat of the shogunate forces by these weapons helped Japan as a whole realize that it was far behind in technology compared to the West.

3. List the actions taken by the Meiji State.

The Meiji state abolished feudalism and replaced the daimyos with a system of nationally appointed prefects. They expanded the power of the state/centralized to power to enact social + economic reforms. They sent samurais to Europe and U.S to study economic and political institutions and technology. The state abolished the samurai class and the stipends that they received, but the samurai were compensated by government-backed bonds (decreased in value, so samurai became poor). The tax on agriculture was converted to be payable in money. They enacted national conscription to build their army, which helped secure the nation's security.

4. Explain how Japan Industrialized - (Private and government roles)

Japan industrialized due to government banks funding growing trade and providing capital for industries. Guilds and internal road tariffs were aoblished to create a national market. The government spurred industrialization through creation of transportation networks, mines, shipyards, and metallurgical plants. The government also promoted technical training and education so that Japan could better adapt to the growing trend. zaibasta 5. List ways that Industrialization changed Japan.

Industrialization helped increase their population, caused by better nutrition and new medical provisions. The large populations put strain on their resources, but provided a source of low-cost labor. Emphasis on science was evident during the era of industrialization in schools and universities. They attempted to modernize themselves in other areas such as hygiene and fashion due to industrialization. There was much pressure for natural expansion due to industrialization and the lack of resources.

6. What division within Japanese society were created by modernization?

Modernization helped solidify the status of women as inferior. Conservatives and reformists often clashed together as new ideas and technology began to flow into Japan; there was a struggle to find the perfect balance between keeping traditionist values and changing for the better. Assassinations were common on both sides/parties. There was also a conflict about pondering about Japan's new identity; it was no longer the Japan it was in the past, but it was not Western.