Russia,+Japan+and+the+West

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

 * ======the Decemberist Uprising was a political revolt in Russia in 1825. it was led by middle class army officers who advocated reform. it was put down by Tsar Nicholas the first. the cause for this uprisisng was due to the fact that Russia was increasingly influenced by the Western practices of political freedom and educational and scientific advances. the intrustion of the western presence into Russia caused the Decmeberist upring of 1825. the effect of this was repression of political opponents, the secret policed expanded and education as well as journalism was strictly supervised.======

2.What were the weaknesses of the Russian economy?

 * Russia did not keep up with the technological advances during the Industrial revolution making them one step behind the West.
 * remained a virtual agricultural based economy
 * increased exports and tightening labor obligations

3. What caused the Crimean War? what were its major efects?

 * The Crimean War was a war created by the Russian between 1854 and 1856 to attack the Ottoman Empire. it lead to the Russian defeat which led Tsar Alexander II to establish Russian reforms to confrom to industrialization

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

 * The serfs were emancipated because the Russians wanted to protect Russian insitutions as well as the land aristocracy and their peasant communities. this empanication differed from the emancipation of the slaves in the U,S because serfs in Russia got the land they worked on vs the slaves who just got their freedom. the changes that it created were a larger urban labor force. peasant uprising became more frequent because of discontiement and hopes for a "brighter future." there was increased the use of potato and there was a increase of substantial population.

5 What were the Zemstvoes? How successful were they?

 * Zemstvoes were a local political council that regulated roads, schools, and other regional policies. the zemstvoes were somewhat successful. they did allow middle-class Russians like doctors and lawyers a new political experience but the council essentially had had no influence on changing the national policy. the tsar was the supreme ruler.

6. What was the significance of the Trans-Siberian railroad?
> ===7. What economic reforms were enacted by Sergei Witte=== > > ===8. What were the signs that Russia was headed to revolution? (think about - intelligentsia, anarchists, Marxists, Bolsheviks.)===
 * the significance of the Trans-Siberian railroad was the fact that it connects Russia to the Pacific. the profit from the railroad stimulated expansion of the Russian's markets of iron and coal sectors. this then stimulated the export of grain to the West. it also opened up a new market in Siberia.
 * Sergi Witte was a minister of finance for Russia in 1892. due to his suggestions Russia enacted high tariffs to protect the new Russian industry. he also improved the banking system as well as encourage Western investors to build factories and advanced technology.
 * after the reforms of Alexander II it still did not satisfy the majority of the population. the peasants resented the reminders of payments and taxes and often tried to burn them. the educated Russians advocated for new rights for freedom in school and the press as well as argue for liberal reforms. the intelligenstisa- the intelligent Russian class tried to become active and help the educated Russians. they advocated for political freedom and a social reform alienated away from the West. they anarchist stemmed from the intelligentsia and they wanted to abolish all formal government. this sparked the first large terrorist movement in the modern world.



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

 * Japanese intellectual life expanded
 * Terakoya- taught reading, writing, and the rudiments of Confucianism.
 * influence of national studies in school
 * Dutch Studies
 * a minority group that could translate Dutch
 * "Dutch Machine" created new interest in western scientific technology.
 * maufacturing took root
 * commerce expanded

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

 * the American Commodore Party essentially established the same foreign policy that was in China. the use of threats and military present allowed Americans to be allowed to trade in Tokyo. this meant that Westerners living in Japan would be governed by their own representatives not by Janpese law. also the samural grew discontent with the presence of the foreigners and appealed to the emperor. when he in turn did nothing this led to civil wars and disputes.

3. List the actions taken by the Meiji State

 * replaced the daimoyos in 1871
 * abolished the samauri class
 * tax on agriculture was expanded
 * army based on national conscription
 * created a new conservative nobility
 * reorganized the bureaucracy
 * opened the civil service exams again based on talent
 * issued a consitiution
 * established a new lower house in parliament called Diet

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

 * Japan industrialized through poliitcal decisions. the government set up new banks that allowed funding for the growing trade. this allowed more railboards, and steamers to be built. the government also helped control manufactoring. there was state operation of mines, shipyeards, and metallurgical plants which porvided a new experience in technology. Private enterprises also help Japan industrialized. they backed the growing economy by investing in textile sectors. also created the use of zaibatsu which was new industrial combines.

5. List ways that Industrialization changed Japan

 * made it dependent on Western equipment and raw materials
 * allowed Japan to avoid world domination
 * increased need for low-paid workers
 * increased silk trade
 * increased use of poor women in meanufacturing.