The document analyzes how Japan's isolationism and desire to maintain culture during the Tokugawa Shogunate influenced its actions in World War 2 leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. It discusses how the Shogunate brought stability but also confined Japan. When Western influence increased after 1853, it overwhelmed Japan and contributed to the Shogunate's collapse in 1867. As Japan modernized after this, the clash between old and new ideas may have strengthened its culture's militaristic aspects and hostility, impacting its World War 2 actions.

1. Abstract:
The origin of Japanese hostility and ruthlessness has long been discussed by
historians. Historians rarely look to Japanese cultural and mental past which is why the
research question:
To What Extent did the Desire to Maintain Japanese Culture and the Act of
Isolationism of Japan during the Tokugawa Shogunate influence Japanese Actions
In the Second World War Up to the Attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941?
was analyzed. In order to analyze this question, historical books and military accounts
were used.
The areas in which this essay looks into are the importance and affects of culture
in Japanese society, the actions done by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the collapse of the
Shogunate and Restoration Period, decisions made up to World War I, and Japanese
reaction to World War I ending at the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
Novels written by authors specializing in the study of these periods were found
using the internet. The sections were chosen because the Tokugawa Shogunate caused
Japan to modernize due to foreign pressures, and the major time periods following the
fall of the Shogunate show the stages that Japan went through leading up to their attack
on Pearl Harbor, one of the most controversial events that has ever happened in history.
The conclusion found by doing this research is that in addition to short term
causes the isolationism of Japan due to the desire to maintain Japanese culture prevented
Japan to integrate with the Western world at an equal pace. This isolationism
strengthened the Japanese culture which included the hostility and violent nature of
samurai methods.
264 words

2. Table of Contents
Abstract……………………………………………………………………….…...1
Introduction……………………………… ……………………………………….3
Background of Shogunate…………………………………………………………4
Effect of the Tokugawa Shogunate on Japan before the 1700s…………….……..5
Effect of western influence on Japan and collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate....7
Japan during the Meiji Restoration Era (1867-1912)………………………….….9
Japan’s increased involvement with foreign nations ………………………….…11
Japan during inter-war period (1918-1937)…………………………….….…......12
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………..14
Works Cited………………………………………………………………………16
2

3. Introduction:
Reasons behind Japanese mentality and choices in the Second World War have
long been a discussion with historians. Some believe that this mentality began at the Paris
Peace Conference in 1919 with the neglect by foreign nations. Analyses have been made
for the actions of the Allies (United States, Great Britain, Russia, and France), but very
little has been done on the Axis powers (Germany and Japan). People need to know why
the countries acted the way they did, especially if they are the losing country.
Japan was first ruled by an emperor who lost power in 1192 and then went
through nearly 700 years of military rule. Japanese history tells of how Japanese soldiers
were trained to never surrender. This mentality could have possibility been kept in Japan
until the military rule of fighting would once again be used in modern times, World War
II.
The Tokugawa Shogunate limited interaction with foreign nations to maintain
Japanese culture. Due to the isolation of Japan during the Shogunate years, Western ideas
and technology overwhelmed the Japanese people causing for a leap to modernize in
1867 after the fall of the Shogunate. The Japanese took every initiative to modernize
quickly, which would cause for an unbalance in mentality and discipline for obeying the
system for which they knew for so long. The mix between past and present ideas caused a
clash resulting in a military hostility with modern weapons in World War II. Therefore
this essay will seek to address the following question:
To What Extent did the Desire to Maintain Japanese Culture and the Act of
Isolationism of Japan during the Tokugawa Shogunate influence Japanese Actions In
the Second World War Up to the Attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941?
In this essay, an assessment of examples based on the effect of the Tokugawa Shogunate
and Foreign influences on Japan, Japanese policies and actions during the Meiji
Restoration period, and the actions of the West and Japan in the inter-war periods up to
the attack on Pearl Harbour (1918-1941) will determine whether isolationism and the
desire to maintain Japanese culture affected the Japanese decision to attack Pearl Harbor.
3

4. Background of Shogunate:
The rule of the Shogunate, from 1192-1867, represented an era for Japan that
included experiences ranging from prosperity and order to overall decline and revolution.
The Shogunate was military samurai, the Japanese feudal military aristocracy, who took
power from the emperor in 1192 and ruled in protection of the emperor. The Shogunate
period is divided into 3 Shogunate periods, the Kamakura (Minamoto), Kyoto
(Ashikaga), and Edo (Tokugawa) periods.1
The Edo period, or Tokugawa Shogunate, was
the final period in which the Shogunate would rule over Japan which began to show
decline in the 1630s. The Tokugawa Shogunate maintained 264 years of sustained peace.
Although this period was more stable, compared to its war ravaged predecessor eras, its
decline began when the Tokugawa ruler, Tokugawa Ieyasu, decided to cease all trade
with the outside world, with the exceptions of Holland and China. In 1853, when trade
and the opening to the outside world began due to the forceful nature of American
Commodore Matthew Perry, the idea of revolution and change against the long-held
power of the Shogunate began take hold.2
Commodore Perry threatened the government
that if the ports were not opened, then war would ensue. Trade was inevitable, so some
ports began gradually opening in 1853 leading to a massive flood of foreign goods and
ideas that poured into the country.3
This resulted in new ideas which would eventually
cause revolts in 1867 when the Shogunate was overthrown.
The Meiji Restoration period, 1868-1905, when the emperor’s power was
restored, led to an era of change in all areas: economic, political, cultural, and social.4
Japanese foreign policy changed and a desire to colonize and modernize militarily,
1
"Japan: shogunate and restoration history 1192 - 1869 - Hutchinson encyclopedia
article about Japan: shogunate and restoration history 1192 - 1869." Hutchinson
Encyclopedia. Web. 08 May 2009. <http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/Japan:
+shogunate+and+restoration+history+1192+-+1869>.
2
Buruma, Ian. Inventing Japan 1853-1964 (Modern Library Chronicles). New
York: Modern Library, 2004. Pg.13.
3
"Historical Background: The Edo Period - Victoria and Albert Museum."
Victoria and Albert Museum. Web. 8 May 2009.
<http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/asia/asia_features/japan/japanese_art_design/
historical_background/index.html>.
4
Gordon, Andrew. Modern history of Japan from Tokugawa times to the present.
New York: Oxford UP, 2009. Pg.93-112
4

5. politically, economically and socially took root. The Japanese began colonizing in the
1870s5
and Japanese foreign policy became hostile to the Western world after their
neglect from the West during World War I and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on
June 28, 1919. The influence of western cultural ideas led to the hostility by the Japanese
because the goal of the Shogunate was to maintain a “pure” Japanese culture without any
aspects of foreign nations. Due to the isolationism imposed by the Shogunate, Japanese
ideas and way of life became an essential part of everyday actions. The dramatic increase
in foreign influence mixed with existing Japanese culture would later pose an issue once
Japan becomes humiliated by the West.
Effect of the Tokugawa Shogunate on Japan before the 1700s:
The beginning of the Edo Period showed mass stabilization and an increase in
production in all areas of Japan. The social orders were divided into three classes, the
ruling samurai, the farmer, and the townsman (artisan and merchant). Although the
classes were more distinctly structured, the people were more integrated and conditions
of living were more stable. Farmers and townspeople had more opportunities to improve
their daily lives. 6
This allowed farmers to use travel to obtain more money. The cities
grew significantly which allowed the farmers to travel to the cities and sell goods. Travel
became widely and increasingly used because maps, travel diaries, and a Tokugawa
version of travel booklets were created. This allowed for an increase in the economy.
Not only were people and goods being transported, but money was also. For
example, if rice was sold in Osaka, a major city in Japan, the farmers would give their
earned money to a higher class commune in the capital, Edo, after the reduction of taxes.
This was later turned into a system where money would be paid in advance for the
harvest of goods instead of after. Farmers increased their agricultural output and showed
more improvements in agricultural industries.7
5
Lush, Noren W., Linda K. Menton, Eileen H. Tamura, and Chance I. Gusukuma.
The Rise of Modern Japan. New York: University of Hawaii, 2003. Pg.54.
6
Masahide, Bito, and Watanabe Akio. A Chronological Outline of Japanese
History. Tokyo: International Society for Educational Information, Inc., 1989.
7
International, Kodansha. The Japan Book A Comprehensive Pocket Guide. New
York: Kodansha International, 2004.
5

6. The Shogunate also improved literacy and education. This allowed for increase
improvements through the younger generation of people and an increase in improvements
in all areas of sciences, mathematics, medicine, etc. Education was offered to the farmers
and lower class people, which allowed for the creation of books on how to successfully
farm and produce agricultural goods. 8
Although there were many positive aspects of the Tokugawa Shogunate, one
negative is the effect the Shogunate had on women. Once peace had come over the
country, the need for the Samurais was limited. In order to keep the samurais on the side
of the Shogun, Confucianism was adopted, which was flourishing in China at the time.
According to Confucianism, the state should be run by well-educated scholars, which was
appointed to the samurai. This however split the society into four unequal classes.
Women, before the adoption of Confucianism, were superior to men. Majority of the
important deities were women, such as the Goddess of the Sun. Women inherited the land
and the titles rather than the men. Some of Japan’s greatest writers were women and
women held high positions in government and social classes. However, women gradually
lost their status because men were superior to women, according to Confucianism. By the
middle of the Shogunate, women had lost all influence in government and society, and
were often used as pawns to gain more land.9
By bringing peace to the country and evolving the society from soldiers to
educated people, the Tokugawa Shogunate created a more stable and peaceful nation. The
adaptation of Confucianism, however did lead to a more isolated Japan due to fear of
foreign cultures. This isolationism would cause Japanese mentality to strengthen and
become focused on maintaining the culture. The isolation would also cause Japanese
mentality to be unchanged causing a clash of ideas and ideologies once interacting with
the West in the future.
Effect of western influence on Japan and failure and collapse of the Tokugawa
Shogunate:
8
Gordon, Andrew. Modern history of Japan from Tokugawa times to the present.
New York: Oxford UP, 2009. Pg.103-106.
9
Lush, Noren W., Linda K. Menton, Eileen H. Tamura, and Chance I. Gusukuma.
The Rise of Modern Japan. New York: University of Hawaii, 2003. pg.13-19.
6

7. Western influence began long before the Shoguns, the ruler or emperor of the
Shogunate dynasty. China and Korea had traded with Japan for many decades before. In
1543, the Portuguese landed on the shores of Tanegashima, with hopes of trade and the
spread of Christianity. Before Tokugawa Ieyasu became Shogun, Dutch, Portuguese,
Spanish, Italian, and English traders had already come onto Japanese soil.10
The Japanese
referred to these foreigners as barbarians due to their different features and ruthless
behaviour. Due to the fight for power, many warlords and leaders showed hospitality
towards the Westerners, not only out of curiosity but to obtain Western weapons and
military tactics.11
This hospitality soon grew to suspicion and finally the execution and persecution
of Christians. Ieyasu feared that the warlords would become too powerful because they
could obtain enough Western weapons to overthrow the Shogunate. Execution and
persecution would fall upon those who did not leave in the required time posed by the
Shogunate. Tokugawa Ieyasu used this persecution of Christians to ban all Europeans
from Japan. Between 1633 and 1639, the Shogunate ordered that Japanese would not be
allowed to leave the country and no foreigners were to enter the country. Only the
Chinese and were permitted to enter Japan. 12
However, the arrival of the Russians in the 1780s began the string of outsider
intervention problems. Although the Shogunate declined the Russian request for trade,
Russian naval forces attacked Japanese settlements. The British then joined the race in
1808 but received the same answer as the Russians. The government became so irritated
by the constant western push to trade that they made their most drastic measure yet, to
eliminate any foreign ships in Japanese waters. These actions began to weaken the
Shogunate because the Japanese people did not agree with the actions of the Shogunate
which caused rebellions and cues against the government. This was the beginning of the
end of the Shogunate. In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States sent a
message to the Japanese government that they must either trade with the United States or
10
Buruma, Ian. Inventing Japan 1853-1964 (Modern Library Chronicles). New
York: Modern Library, 2004. Pg.11-19
11
Lush, Noren W., Linda K. Menton, Eileen H. Tamura, and Chance I. Gusukuma.
The Rise of Modern Japan. New York: University of Hawaii P, 2003. Pg.13.
12
Gordon, Andrew. Modern history of Japan from Tokugawa times to the present. New
York: Oxford UP, 2009.pg.5-9.
7

8. be prepared to fight through war. When the Japanese agreed, the Treaty of Kanagawa was
created in 1854, but it also included all European countries and not only the United
States. The Shogunate gave in so easily because there was a large push for Western ideas
and technology to be allowed in the country. In order for the Shogunate to remain in
power, they would have to agree to the terms of Perry’s treaty. This was similar to the
treaty signed by China during the Opium War. This aggravated the Shogunate because by
signing the treaties, they would be opening their ports to outsiders who the Shogunate did
not want to intervene with the Japanese people and it gave foreign countries special
privileges in Japan.13
When trade commenced, economic problems soon arose. Foreign merchants
discovered that they could buy gold from Japan with silver coins, which was about one-
third the going global rate. When the government tried to correct the problem, immense
inflation occurred. Consumers and producers then began to protest violently by not only
blaming the government but also the rich merchants and silk producers. The next series
of riots began from 1857 to 1858 over the treaty signed with the United States. Treaties
continued to be signed over non-important matters that would eventually lead to the
weakness and failure of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The Tokugawa Shogunate fell in 1867
due to riots and disapproval of Shogunate actions and policies. The people began killing
Shogunate officials and the samurai turned against the government to fight for the
people.14
The influence of foreign nations and their technology caused a huge shift in
mentality of the Japanese people. Now that modern ideas, such as the increased influence
of Christianity, modern technology, and better forms of social, political, and economic
materials, had entered the country, Japan began adopting Western ways of living:
socially, politically, militarily, and economically. Without the exposure to new ideas, the
push for modernization would not have happened at that time, which could have resulted
in the absence of Japanese involvement in the World Wars.
13
Lush, Noren W., Linda K. Menton, Eileen H. Tamura, and Chance I. Gusukuma.
The Rise of Modern Japan. New York: University of Hawaii P, 2003. Pg.29-30.
14
Gordon, Andrew. Modern history of Japan from Tokugawa times to the present.
New York: Oxford UP, 2009. Pg.52-53.
8

9. This rapid rush in foreign ideas and influence contradicted the previous ideas of
the Japanese which were “old-fashioned” due to its isolated state for the past 600 years.
This increase in Western methods would lead the Japanese to become more interested in
modern technology, which the want for participation with this modern technology would
also incline. This participation would then be the cause of humiliation by those who
forced Japan to modernize, the West.
Japan during the Meiji Restoration Era (1867-1912):
Japanese economic, political, and cultural views completely changed during the
Meiji Restoration period. During this period, the emperor gained back the power that he
lost in 1192. The Meiji Restoration began with the overthrow of the Tokugawa
Shogunate by samurai and nobles who were loyal to the emperor. They did not agree to
the unfair treaties imposed on Japan in the 1850s by Commodore Matthew Perry. The
Meiji era showed a huge interest to modernize Japan and make it just as competitive as
the rest of the world. The leaders of Japan decided that Japan was behind militarily and
economically. Then the leaders decided to launch a campaign declaring the want for
Western ideas and technologies. They believed that it was necessary to open its borders
to the outside world in order to obtain modernization of Japan and to remove hostility and
pressure towards Japanese isolationism.15
Also the leaders realized that the form of government and social structure would
not allow for Japan to modernize to its full potential. To correct this, the government
stripped the power and status of the samurai. The samurai were stripped of their title and
were given pensions until the time when the government could not afford to pay them
any longer so they paid the samurai with bonds. The samurai lost their customary rights
such as they were not allowed to attack or kill anyone they believed to be acting
disrespectfully. They were not allowed to carry swords and some of their previous
privileges were taken from them and given to the peasants, artisans, and merchants. By
doing this, the government believed they were making matters more equal. 16
15
Gordon, Andrew. Modern history of Japan from Tokugawa times to the present.
New York: Oxford UP, 2009. Pg.93-98.
16
McClain, James L. Japan: A Modern History College Edition. Boston: W. W.
Norton & Company, 2002.
9

10. Also education and military service were obligatory. By educating and
“militarising” the people, the government believed they were doing as the West was by
educating their people in all areas of language, arts, and sciences, and the people would
be more sufficient and reliable in the economic and political modernization of Japan.
Militarism was a major part in the modernization of Japan. The Japanese government
called for military soldiers to help maintain the peace and prosperity in the country.
However, the main focus was for Japan to be more politically and economically involved
rather than militarily.17
The government also wanted the people to feel as though they were individuals
rather than a member of the communes. This act caused the people, especially those of
the lower classes, to feel proud of their uniqueness which then united them to act against
outside forces that threatened their uniqueness. The government also used the emperor as
a symbol to unite the people because the government officials believed that if they were
loyal to the emperor, they have fulfilled their duty.
Finally, the government put the emperor in charge of all political aspects and
matters. The emperor imposed a new tax system in which all taxes would be paid by the
landowners themselves according to the amount of land they owned and by how much
they produced. This was changed from the previous method where landowners grew and
were taxed on crops as a commune rather than individuals. This method created a direct
relationship between the emperor and the common household. The government provided
more aid and support for building new factories, railroads, industrial and agricultural
infrastructures. 18
This rush towards modernization led Japanese government officials to believe that
they were becoming a competitive member in the world. They believed that because they
possessed modern thinking and technology. Traditional cultural ideas were left behind in
order to adapt to the modernizing world. The Meiji Restoration Period caused a mass
amount of information to be given to Japan in a short amount of time. This dramatic
change from isolationism to open borders would provide the Japanese with the means to
17
Dickinson, Frederick R. War and National Reinvention Japan in the Great War,
1914- 1919 (Harvard East Asian Monographs). New York: Harvard University
Asia Center, 2001.
18
Lush, Noren W., Linda K. Menton, Eileen H. Tamura, and Chance I. Gusukuma.
The Rise of Modern Japan. New York: University of Hawaii P, 2003. Pg.19-22.
10

11. “catch-up” with the rest of the world, although they never could be at the same level due
to lack of experience. This gave the Japanese false hope which would later be crushed at
the Paris Peace Conferences.
Japan’s increased involvement with Foreign Nations:
In 1871, after the fall of the Shogunate, delegates from Japan set out on a mission
to the United States and Europe to gain as much information as possible about the
western world. They visited factories, police stations, libraries, schools, prisons,
shipyards and banks. Their initial goal was to negotiate with the United States about the
unfair treaties that were signed in 1853 with the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry.
However, when negotiations fell through, the delegates continued to observe life in the
West. In December 1871, the first of a large wave of students were being sent to the West
to learn Western ways. Some Japanese people were not pleased with this. According to
Linda Menton and her co-authors, a woman in a crowd upon seeing the children leave
said:
“What heartless people their parents must be! Sending them to a barbarous land like
America!”19
Upon returning after their life in the West, some replaced the foreign experts that
the Japanese employed to help speed the process of modernization. Others were shocked
by the lifestyle and portrayal of women in the country and founded universities and
organizations to help women integrate themselves more in the society. When education
from the West began to flood into Japan, the idea to colonize arose.20
Each of the
countries that were aiding Japan had colonies around the world so why could they not?
The language of the Japanese changed due to an increase of Western people.
Dutch was widely spoken around port areas. The Japanese also asked foreign nations to
help improve the Japanese military. The French helped train the army by teaching them
19
Lush, Noren W., Linda K. Menton, Eileen H. Tamura, and Chance I. Gusukuma.
The Rise of Modern Japan. New York: University of Hawaii, 2003.pg.41
20
Buruma, Ian. Inventing Japan 1853-1964 (Modern Library Chronicles). New
York: Modern Library, 2004. Pg.35-62
11

12. new tactics and by giving them weapons. The British helped the Japanese with their navy
and naval ships. 21
The aid from foreign nations hastened the modernization of Japan. This allowed
for new ideas such as colonialism and territorial gain to play in the minds of the Japanese
to become a competitor in the technological world, which contradicts to previous
Japanese mentality of isolationism. This friendliness allowed Japan to believe that they
were accepted into the Western world and would be treated with more equality than in
the past. The culture of the Japanese was now changed in order to satisfy the demand for
modernization. Although traditional Japanese culture had changed, the thought that the
foreigners were barbarous by the older generation still remained, which allowed for
traditional thoughts to remain although it was an extreme minority. The lingering of
traditional culture and mentality would be the basis and roots behind their actions after
being humiliated at the Paris Peace Conferences.
Japan during inter-war period (1918-1937)
Japan’s involvement during the First World War was very limited, but they
nevertheless participated. They provided some assistance with agricultural goods and
industrial products. Although industrial output, employment, and agricultural goods
soared with remarkable results, this did not have as positive effect as the people wished.
Prices of goods and food soared as well causing Japan to have the highest inflation period
to date. After the war ceased, manufacturing, industrial and agricultural output declined
as well. There was no need to continue with the high productivity if there was nothing
that it would be used towards. Signs of recovery were noticeable in 1922 however a large
earthquake plummeted the country into even deeper inflation and there were no signs of
recovery.22
However, the government encouraged people to work to help recover from the
effects of the earthquake. The banks lent out large sums of money which would not be
backed by the output of goods by the people. This sent Japan into a major banking crisis.
21
Lush, Noren W., Linda K. Menton, Eileen H. Tamura, and Chance I. Gusukuma.
The Rise of Modern Japan. New York: University of Hawaii P, 2003. Pg.38-39
22
Stevenson, David. 1914-1918:The History of the First World War. London:
Penguin Group, 2004.
12

13. Many people suffered due to unpaid bank loans. In the countryside, agricultural output
declined due to lack of sufficient tools and fertilizers. Those who were well off did not
work but were living off of the debts owed by other families who owned the farms and
fields. However, women organizations such as the Ladies’ Patriotic Association were
created to help aid the poor and provide simple forms of food to those who needed it the
most, such as servants, farmers.23
The lack of resources led the Japanese government to have the need to look to
outside countries for aid. Instead of buying the goods, which they could not afford due to
the inflation and failure of the banks and economy, the government decided to take the
goods they needed by force. The land they gained in China, the Shandong Province24
, at
the Paris Peace Conference allowed the idea of takeover to linger in the minds of the
leaders.
In the Treaty of Versailles, Japan was neglected as a second class country which could
not compete with the rest of the world.25
Japan proposed a racial non-discrimination
clause that was to be put in the covenant of the League of Nations. However, this idea
was dismissed and Japan would have to return all its wartime gained territories such as
Taiwan, Manchuria, and the Pescadores Islands. This angered the Japanese which led
them to wanting to colonize like the rest of the world. According to Fredrick R.
Dickinson, by increasing Japanese power in China, there was a hope that “the end of
hostilities excited equally broad hopes that the great powers would recognize al of
Japan’s wartime gains at a future peace conference.”26
At the end of the Paris Peace
Conference, Japan obtained a small portion of China, the Shandong Province, and some
of German occupied colonies. The Japanese government wanted to prove to the rest of
the world that they were just as competitive. Japan also wanted to stop aid to China. The
Japanese, after occupying China, continued to occupy other countries in the surrounding
23
Gordon, Andrew. Modern history of Japan from Tokugawa times to the present.
New York: Oxford UP, 2009. Pg.135,144.
24
"3-7 Paris Peace Conference | Modern Japan in archives." Taisho Democracy.
Web. 8 May 2009. <http://www.ndl.go.jp/modern/e/cha3/description07.html>.
25
Lindaman, Dana, and Kyle Ward. History lessons how textbooks from around the
world portray U.S. history. New York: New P, 2004.
26
Dickinson, Frederick R. War and National Reinvention Japan in the Great War,
1914- 1919 (Harvard East Asian Monographs). New York: Harvard University
Asia Center, 2001. Print. pg.206-207.
13

14. Asian area until December 7, 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl Harbour which brought the
United States into World War II. 27
The neglect from the rest of the Allied nations angered the Japanese into wanting
to prove to the rest of the world that they can also be a major competitive power. This
turned the country’s mentality back to those of the samurai and military supremacy.28
The
Japanese returned to the only reasoning that they knew extensively and that was of
hostility. This hostility was rooted to the period of the Shogunate. Cultures and mentality
had finally clashed leading the Japanese to take matters into their own hands to prove that
they were fit to be an equal participant in the Western World.
Conclusion:
The researched question:
To What Extent did the Desire to Maintain Japanese Culture and the Act of
Isolationism of Japan during the Tokugawa Shogunate influence Japanese Actions
In the Second World War Up to the Attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941?
can be answered because Japan was significantly altered by the isolationism caused by
the Tokugawa Shogunate. The evidence shows that the combination of the hostile culture,
isolationism, and increased foreign influence affected the mentality and eventual actions
done by the Japanese in World War II. By having an extreme absorption of information,
technology, and ideology, the Japanese had to prove that they were worthy to be
classified as a major competitive world power. The flames were then fanned by the
neglect and humiliation the Japanese were shown in the Paris Peace Conference. This
shifted the mentality of the Japanese causing the mind-set to be reset to the military
hostility of the past. Therefore, the isolated state and preservation of hostile culture
should be considered a factor in the analysis of why the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
in December 1941.
27
Stevenson, David. 1914 1918 The History of the First World War. London:
Penguin Group, 2004.
28
Lush, Noren W., Linda K. Menton, Eileen H. Tamura, and Chance I. Gusukuma.
The Rise of Modern Japan. New York: University of Hawaii P, 2003. Pg.54
14

15. Works Cited
"3-7 Paris Peace Conference | Modern Japan in archives." Taisho Democracy. Web. 8
May 2009. <http://www.ndl.go.jp/modern/e/cha3/description07.html>.
Buruma, Ian. Inventing Japan 1853-1964 (Modern Library Chronicles). New York:
Modern Library, 2004.
Dickinson, Frederick R. War and National Reinvention Japan in the Great War, 1914-
1919 (Harvard East Asian Monographs). New York: Harvard University Asia
Center, 2001. Print.
15

16. Gordon, Andrew. Modern history of Japan from Tokugawa times to the present. New
York: Oxford UP, 2009.
"Historical Background: The Edo Period - Victoria and Albert Museum." Victoria and
Albert Museum. Web. 8 May 2009.
<http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/asia/asia_features/japan/japanese_art_design/
historical_background/index.html>.
International, Kodansha. The Japan Book A Comprehensive Pocket Guide. New York:
Kodansha International, 2004.
"Japan: shogunate and restoration history 1192 - 1869 - Hutchinson encyclopedia article
about Japan: shogunate and restoration history 1192 - 1869." Hutchinson
Encyclopedia. Web. 08 May 2009. <http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/Japan:
+shogunate+and+restoration+history+1192+-+1869>.
Lindaman, Dana, and Kyle Ward. History lessons how textbooks from around the world
portray U.S. history. New York: New P, 2004.
Lush, Noren W., Linda K. Menton, Eileen H. Tamura, and Chance I. Gusukuma. The
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Masahide, Bito, and Watanabe Akio. A Chronological Outline of Japanese History.
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