How did han (domain) rivalry contribute to the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate?
How did han (domain) rivalry contribute to the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate? After the signing of the Treaty of Edo in 1858, the balance of power in Japan, which had remained more or less frozen since the 17th century, began to change. This shift of authority was in Kyoto's flavour, while the Tokugawa Shogunate in Edo saw its power ever declining. The issue that divided the two camps and finally brought about Tokugawa's demise was Japan's foreign policy. The Emperor represented the xenophobic faction, resisting almost all forms of contact with the West. The Shogun's position was awkward as it was supposed to resist the foreigners but failed. It was forced to agree to western incessant demands. Some western clans, prominent among them were Satsuma and Choshu, took sides according to their own interests. In the Bakumatsu period there was han rivalry which centred around Kyoto, Edo and among tomaza clans. This played a decisive role in Tokugawa collapse. The rivalry set in motion two phenomena: the gradual weakening of Bakufu power and the strengthening of Satsuma and Choshu. Indeed they were almost interrelated. The Shogun's fall of power is to be examined first. Han rivalry did much to weaken the power of the Shogunate. In June 1862, at the urging of Satsuma and Choshu, the Court decided to send a special envoy to Edo to demand that Hitotsubashi and Matsudaira,
Luther and the Peasants
Luther and the Peasants Sources A and B are useful when analysing Luther's attitude towards the Peasant's War, yet there are certain ways in which they do not entirely reflect his own views. As events unfolded during 1525, Luther's attitudes to the peasants transformed, and this is demonstrated in the two sources. From the sources, it is clear that between March and May of 1525 Luther's feelings about who was to blame for the actions of the peasants changed, showing that he initially believed they should not be blamed for the chaos that unfolded, but eventually came to the conclusion that their later actions were unnecessary and therefore condemns the peasants instead. As this issue directly targets the views that Luther held in reference to the Peasant's War, it is appropriate that all of the views expressed in the sources are those of Luther himself. As they are both the direct opinions of the man himself, and as Luther was never one to refrain from expressing his controversial feelings, it is fair to conclude that they give an accurate representation of Luther's attitude at the time. The sources also reflect Luther's view that unnecessary violence should be avoided, as although in Source A he gives the peasants the benefit of the doubt by stating that the princes and lords "deserve this judgement of God against them", Source B shows that he felt the way in which the
Political issues far outweigh religious issues in explaining the outbreak of revolt in the Netherlands by 1572?
Political issues far outweigh religious issues in explaining the outbreak of revolt in the Netherlands by 1572? In explaining the causes for the outbreak of revolt in the Netherlands by 1572 both the political and religious issues are inextricably linked. However, it can be argued that without the continuous political issues arising, stemming from the alienation of the grandees through the introduction of the bishopric scheme, the consulta and effectively the removal of Granvelle, the religious issues were indeed no different to those of previous decades which concerned Charles V and were thus the basis to what the new political issues were founded upon. One of the long term causes of the Dutch Revolt can be seen through the constant discontent of the grandees due to the alienation of their power, due to the fact that they were under foreign rule and thus there was little national feeling amongst the people of the Netherlands, in each province, and great resentment against Philip II and Spain. This dislike was further fuelled by the fact that Philip made no attempt to learn to speak Dutch or French, like the former ruler his father Charles V, and had little respect for the Dutch customs, privileges and traditional rights. In addition Philip was resented as he was continuously busy with the rule of his other home country Spain, war with France and the problems with the
Economic problems were the main reason the governments of the Weimar era failed Discuss.
"Economic problems were the main reason the governments of the Weimar era failed" Discuss. During the Weimar era there were much economic problems in Germany; many historians claim that this was the main reason for the failure of the governments of Weimar. The economic problems in Germany began directly after WWI, when the treaty of Versailles was signed. The treaty was deemed by many Germans as a punishing and degrading document, because it forced them to give up areas that were rich in resources and forced them to pay massive reparation payments. While precise figure the Germans were expected to pay in unknown, the figure was huge and the Germans struggled to pay the large bill. Many of the resource rich area's such as Rhineland were taken from the Germans resulting in large rates of unemployment and unrest. In Germany at this time striking workers were paid by the state therefore the state had to pay out mass amounts of money for the thousands of striking workers. The damage done to Germany's economic state because of the reparations they were forced to pay, discouraged market loans, and Germany made a futile attempt to pay back these reparations and fix the economic crisis through Quantative easing. This only served to create hyperinflation which drastically worsened Germany's financial state. By august 1923 a US dollar was worth 1 million marks. Having already
How far did the establishment of the Congress of the People Campaign and the Freedom Charter mark a turning point in the progress of Black African Nationalism in South Africa?
How far did the establishment of the Congress of the People Campaign and the Freedom Charter mark a turning point in the progress of Black African Nationalism in South Africa? Black African nationalism is defined as sovereignty for Black Africans, independence from outside powers, emphasis of Black African culture and pride and finally equal rights for Black Africans. The establishment of the Congress of the People Campaign marked a turning point in Black African nationalism because the different forms of nationalism aligned as one Anti-Apartheid force. Black Africans campaigned on their own in the struggle to achieve nationalism because they wanted sovereignty, independence, equal rights and cultural pride. However with the Congress of the People campaign the different anti-apartheid forces united and membership to the new joint nationalist movement became open to all people irrespective of sex, race or gender. The Campaign unified most of the liberation forces and transformed them into a non-racial Anti-Apartheid force called the Congress Alliance. With this new found unity, the new movement was better equipped in future battles against apartheid because it introduced ideological uniformity within the liberation movement in turn minimizing disputes within members of the alliance. In general, the Congress of the People campaign marked a significant turning point by which
HOW STABLE WAS THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE ON THE OUTBREAK OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR IN 1914?
HOW STABLE WAS THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE ON THE OUTBREAK OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR IN 1914? The Russian Revolution of 1917 was born to a large extent out of the defeats and chaos of the First World War, and many historians have argued that the Bolshevik seizure of power was mainly attributable to this factor. Certainly the war highlighted the weaknesses of the Russian economy and system of government. Nevertheless, the level of revolutionary activity in the preceding fifty years suggests that the Tsarist regime was vulnerable to political upheaval, and therefore it might be fairer to say that war determined the nature, timing and course of the revolution rather than being its main cause. Jose' The autocratic Russian government had to contend with many problems. At the heart of these problems was her backwardness economically, socially and politically. The dilemma facing her rulers from the end of the Napoleonic Wars to the outbreak of World War One was whether or not to modernize and unleash potentially dangerous forces for change, or resist change and risk falling further behind her Western European rivals. As a result the country seemed to be constantly in the throes of reaction or reform during the nineteenth century. Even the 'Tsar Liberator', Alexander II, who - at least early in his reign - favoured liberal reforming policies, seemed unwilling to restrict his own
Latin America was a relatively new region to the Western European explorers. Between 1492 and 1914, the Latin American colonies boomed into economic success due to the resources that were found in these areas
Change Over Time Essay Latin America was a relatively new region to the Western European explorers. Christopher Columbus, a European explorer, arrived in the West Indies in what he thought was Asia in 1492. He probably would never have expected that this region would be a great source of resources that would be traded for different goods across the Atlantic. Between 1492 and 1914, the Latin American colonies boomed into economic success due to the resources that were found in these areas. They were sent to places such as Europe and the African colonies owned by some European nations in exchange for other goods. The methods of trade and the products traded varied over time, especially after the industrialization of most of the colonies in Latin America. Trade began in the days of Columbus. He landed on the island that we now know as Hispaniola. He sent letters back to the monarchy in Spain describing the land by saying it that was beautiful and rich in resources. This opened a window of opportunity for the Spanish to claim these areas in Latin America. They would do so and colonize these Latin American lands. Although Christopher Columbus "discovered" this "New World", there were already people living there. Because of the interaction between the natives and the Europeans, many of the natives became ill with diseases from Europe, which weakened them making it easier for them
What makes a great civilisation
What makes a great civilization? There are many factors that result in a civilization becoming great but to answer the question; we must have a clear definition of great. A great civilization must firstly have an efficient government. It must also have natural sources and good geographical location --- an important factor for the civilization to be self-sustaining. Thus, we can infer that a great civilization has some defining features that ensure the continuity of the "greatness" of the civilization. When a great civilization prospers, it brings about economic stability and self-sustenance. Firstly, a feature of a great civilisation is good geographical location. Good geographical location is synonymous with proximity to water. With a constant water source, sufficient food is available. This is possible because the water source provides water and silt for the crops which will enable the crops to grow healthily. Food and water can also be obtained from the water source. An example to illustrate this will be the Egyptian civilization. It is located beside the Nile River and the Egyptians obtain water from the Nile River to irrigate their crops which will provide abundant food. As a result, it would be self-sustaining and be able to prosper. Once the civilisation has settled down and there is enough food, there must be a government to organise the people. The government has
Ancient Societies, Sites and Sources The City of Rome
Ancient Societies, Sites and Sources - The City of Rome From the time of Julius Caesar, the leaders of Rome's empire were determined that the city of Rome should be the embodiment of Roman civilisation. What can we learn of Roman culture and values from the archaeological evidence of imperial Rome? In the last century of the Roman Republic, the City of Rome was the most powerful city in the world. After the Romans defeated the Greek settlements of southern Italy, they adopted the Greek grid system of city streets. In the centre of Rome was the Forum, or Forum Romanum. This was a large open-air area where the main business and religious activities were conducted. The Forum lay between the Capitoline and Palatine Hills, and was the centre of political life. By the Fifth Century BC the Forum was the centre of the Republican state, and operated as an all purpose area for assemblies, lawsuits, public meetings and funerals, and religious festivals. Originally the area on which the Forum stood was used for cattle grazing, but as Rome grew and the city expanded, the Forum was built and gradually became surrounded by aristocratic houses, markets, basilicas and religious structures. Much of the building foundations of the Forum remain in Rome today, a testimony to the grandeur of Rome. In 509 BC after the Kings of Rome were overthrown and the Republican government was set up, the
Reasons for Australian Federation
Reasons for Australian Federation In 1901, the six colonies of Australia federated as a nation. It was, however, a long process, as there were arguments against this idea including the self-interests of different colonies and the size of a new nation if it occurred. Several reasons for federation were considered, such as the need for a united defence force, the development of a uniform rail system, free trade between colonies and the growth of nationalism in each colony. One of the key reasons for federation was to achieve a united defence force, which could protect Australia. In 1883, Sir Henry Parkes quoted, "If Australia could have spoken with one voice, New Guinea would have belonged to Australia" Around the 1880s, the Australian colonies had become increasingly concerned over the close proximity of foreign powers. A Russian presence in the Pacific, Germany occupying parts of New Guinea and France having colonised New Caledonia, left the colonies in fear that attempts may be made to invade Australia. At this time, each of the colonies had their own separate defence forces. Despite having employed the British Navy and each army having a military unit in nearly every town, a report made in 1889 by the British Army's major-general Sir J. Bevan Edwards indicated that the colonies did not possess enough men, arms or ammunition to provide adequate defence. The colonies
