Samurai, Daimyo, Matthew Perry, and Nationalism: Crash Course World History #34

CrashCourse
13 Sept 201211:52
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video discusses the rise of nationalism in the 19th century as a global phenomenon that led to the creation of new nation-states. It focuses on Japan's shift from a fragmented feudal state to a modernized nation-state in 1868, examining how perceived foreign threats like the arrival of Matthew Perry motivated Japan to rapidly consolidate and centralize. The summary highlights Japan's reforms like compulsory education and military service that built national pride and loyalty to the emperor. It notes that nationalism brought modernization to Japan but also had a dark side, fueling conflicts with neighbors as early as 1874.

Takeaways
  • 😀 Nationalism was a global phenomenon in the 19th century, seen across Europe, the British dominions, Balkans, India, China, and beyond
  • 👥 The modern nation-state involves a centralized government over a distinct territory with some cultural/linguistic homogeneity
  • 📜 Schools and public education were used to share national narratives and create patriotism
  • 🔥 Destabilizing for multi-ethnic empires like Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian, as component groups broke off
  • 🗺️ Japan transformed from fragmented domains under the Tokugawa Shogunate to a modern centralized nation-state
  • 🚢 The arrival of Matthew Perry's American naval fleet sparked reforms as it highlighted threats
  • ⚔️ Samurai evolved from warriors to salaried bureaucrats as Japan modernized under the Meiji era
  • 🦅 Public education, conscription, and symbols like the Emperor cultivated nationalism and loyalty
  • 😡 Dark side of nationalism is conflict with outsiders seen in Japan's expansionism
  • ❓ Defining the nation is complex - is it organic, constructed top-down, tied to industrialization?
Q & A

  • What was the primary virtue of the Tokugawa bakufu government in Japan?

    -The primary virtue of the Tokugawa bakufu was its stability. It provided over 260 years of stable governance in Japan.

  • How did the arrival of Matthew Perry lead to the end of the Tokugawa shogunate?

    -Matthew Perry arrived in Japan with American warships and forced Japan to sign humiliating trade treaties. This demonstrated the weakness of the Tokugawa bakufu and motivated the daimyo and samurai to overthrow them.

  • What is the Meiji Restoration?

    -The Meiji Restoration refers to the event in 1868 when the newly enthroned Emperor Meiji abolished the Tokugawa bakufu and proclaimed a restoration of imperial power. This marked the beginning of Japan's rapid modernization.

  • How did the Meiji government incorporate samurai warriors?

    -The Meiji government incorporated samurai as bureaucrats and gradually took away their stipends. Over time, Japan developed a bureaucracy based more on merit rather than hereditary status.

  • What was the purpose of instituting public education in Japan?

    -Public education was seen as a way to develop loyalty to the Japanese emperor and nation. Despite initial opposition, public education played a major role in building nationalism in Japan.

  • How did Japanese nationalism lead to conflicts with its neighbors?

    -As early as 1869, Japan was expanding its borders by colonizing Hokkaido and other regions. By 1879, Japan invaded Taiwan, demonstrating that nationalist ambitions often lead to conflict.

  • What is John Green's perspective on public education?

    -John Green argues that public education benefits the entire social order, not just students and parents. He believes funding public education leads to a more educated and productive society.

  • How did Japan modernize in the late 19th century?

    -Japan rapidly modernized by establishing a cabinet government system, constitution, tax system, public infrastructure, railroads, currency, and universal conscription army modeled after European nation-states.

  • Who does John Green blame for the inaccuracies in the globes?

    -John Green humorously blames himself, the show's writers, for the inaccurate globes with outdated geopolitical information. This introduces the topic of nationalism and how it led to new nation-state formations in the 19th century.

  • What factors may have motivated nationalism according to historians?

    -Historians cite factors like urbanization, industrialization, organic cultural bonds, and constructed government propaganda. However, the causes behind nationalism remain complex with many competing theories.

Outlines
00:00
📺 Introduction to nationalism and issues with globes

John Green introduces the topic of nationalism in 19th century history. He tries to define nationalism and talks about its global impact, including the rise of nation-states. He also jokes about issues with his globes being outdated.

05:02
🗺️ Japan transforms into modern nation-state

The paragraph discusses Japan's history leading up to and during the Meiji Restoration in 1868. It covers the Tokugawa shogunate government, threats from Western powers, and how Japan rapidly modernized and consolidated into a unified, modern nation-state after overthrowing the shogunate.

10:03
🏫 Public education's role in building nationalism

John Green discusses the role of public education in building nationalism and a national identity. He explains why public education benefits everyone in society, not just students, as it leads to a more educated and competent population.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡nationalism
Nationalism refers to a feeling of allegiance and loyalty to one's own nation. It was a major force behind the formation of nation-states in the 19th century. The video discusses how nationalism drove consolidation and unification in places like Italy, Germany, and Japan.
💡nation-state
A nation-state involves a centralized government with authority over a distinct territory, as well as some linguistic/cultural homogeneity among the population. The video defines nation-states as the goal of 19th century nationalist movements.
💡Tokugawa Shogunate
The Tokugawa Shogunate was the final feudal military government of Japan, lasting over 200 years until 1868. Its stability enabled nationalism to grow, but it was eventually overthrown when challenged by Western powers like the U.S.
💡Matthew Perry
Commodore Matthew Perry was an American naval officer who arrived in Japan in 1853 with a fleet of ships. His threat to force Japan to open trade convinced the Japanese that adopting Western-style nationalism was necessary.
💡Meiji Restoration
The Meiji Restoration in 1868 re-established imperial rule in Japan under Emperor Meiji. It led to major modernization and the establishment of Japan as a centralized nation-state.
💡public education
Public education was an important part of national unification in Japan and elsewhere. The video argues public schools create social cohesion and an educated populace necessary for an effective nation.
💡conscription
Conscription refers to compulsory military service. The video explains how Japan established conscription in 1873 to help foster loyalty to the nation and build its army.
💡infrastructure
As part of strengthening Japan as a nation, the Meiji government invested heavily in infrastructure like railroads and harbors to enable economic growth and central authority.
💡currency
The Meiji government established the yen as a uniform national currency, an important symbolic and practical component of an independent nation-state.
💡homogeneity
The video argues that nationalism often involves efforts to eliminate diversity, creating a homogenous national identity. This is linked to the dark side of nation-states marginalizing minorities.
Highlights

Nationalism was a global phenomenon in the 19th century seen in places like Egypt, India, China and the Balkans

Nationhood involves a centralized government over a territory with linguistic/cultural homogeneity

Japan was fragmented until the late 16th century when the Tokugawa shoguns consolidated power and brought stability

The arrival of Matthew Perry's American naval fleet in 1853 forced Japan to open trade and modernize

Humiliating trade treaties convinced Japanese leaders to transform Japan into a modern nation-state

In 1868 the Meiji Restoration overthrew the Tokugawa bakufu, with the emperor as a symbolic unifying figure

The Meiji government introduced a modern parliamentary system and meritocratic bureaucracy

Policies like conscription and public education created nationalism and loyalty to the Japanese state

Japan rapidly modernized in areas like taxation, infrastructure, transportation and currency

But Japanese nationalism had a dark side, with the empire expanding into Hokkaido, Okinawa and Taiwan

Japanese modernization was largely inspired by and in competition with the West

Nationalism often thrives on conflict with others, failing to imagine them complexly

In coming years Japanese nationalism would become increasingly problematic

European imperialism is the next topic showing nationalism's dark side

Understanding nationalism helps explain historical figures like Bismarck, Garibaldi, Atatürk and more

Transcripts

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