World historyLesson 1 of 1 in the course Exchange in East Asia and the Indian Ocean

Political Power and Foreign Exchange in Early Modern East Asia

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson explores Japan’s political divisions in the 1400s, the rise of the three unifiers, and the arrival of Europeans. These developments show how foreign trade, religion, and weapons could affect domestic power struggles.

In the 1400s, the Ashikaga shoguns were too weak to control powerful vassals or stop fighting among them. Samurai leaders known as daimyos, or great lords, governed territories like independent kingdoms. They raised their own armies, imposed local laws, and collected tolls. The resulting disorder created opportunities for ambitious leaders to reunite the country.

All flashcards

Daimyo
A powerful Japanese samurai lord who governed a territory, made local laws, and maintained an army.
Japan’s three unifiers
Oda Nobunaga began reunification, Toyotomi Hideyoshi continued it, and Tokugawa Ieyasu completed it.
Nagashino firearm tactic
At Nagashino in 1575, soldiers fired in succession, making slow-loading firearms more effective.
Hideyoshi’s 1587 order
He ordered Christian missionaries to leave Japan, though the order was not fully enforced.
Silhak
A Korean movement promoting practical learning, social reform, and attention to ordinary people’s welfare.

Quiz questions

  1. What Tokugawa policy required daimyos to spend every other year in Edo?Answer: Alternate-year residence, which made it harder for them to organize rebellion.
  2. What did rulers of Ming tributary states do within the tribute system?Answer: They sent tribute and recognized the Ming emperor’s authority.
  3. What did Zheng He’s voyages seek to accomplish for the Ming court?Answer: Display Ming power and encourage foreign rulers to offer tribute.
  4. After 1759, through which channel could Europeans conduct trade in Qing China?Answer: Through the Co-hong merchant guild in Guangzhou.
  5. What was Hangul designed to do?Answer: Represent the sounds of spoken Korean in an accessible writing system.

Based on World History Volume 2, from 1400 by Ann Kordas, Ryan J. Lynch, Brooke Nelson, Julie Tatlock (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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