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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When did Perry arrive back in Japan for his second visit?

2. Where were some members of the squadron permitted to walk?

3. What gifts did the Emperor never receive?

4. What would the Japanese officers give American ships?

5. What did the Americans undervalue of the Japanese gifts?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the Japanese do after the treaty and what impressed the Americans about the Japanese?

2. What did Perry's arrival precipitate?

3. How did the villagers of Shimoda behave at first?

4. Why was Commodore Perry happy with the treaty?

5. How did the Americans impress the Japanese as the Americans came ashore?

6. What was Hokkaido like and how did the first contact with them go for the Americans?

7. Where did Commodore Perry decide to visit?

8. Who was Sam Patch and why was he terrified? What happened?

9. What made Perry decide to sail to Japan despite the Shogun's death?

10. How did the behaviors of the Shimoda villagers change and what was the result?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Japan had maintained a fairly rigid policy of isolationism for many years before Commodore Perry arrived, except for a brief period of more openness in the 1500s. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term isolationism mean in context of a country's foreign policy?

2. Discuss three reasons the ruling class of Japan may have had to maintain a policy of isolationism.

3. Discuss three reasons you think the policy of isolationism was not beneficial to the Japanese people.

4. Do you think in this century (end of first decade of 21st century), it is possible for

Essay Topic 2

The Dutch were the only regular trading partners of the Japanese and they basically lived like slaves. They submitted to Japanese control in order to gain the enormous profits that came from Japanese trade. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think the Dutch paid too high a price for their "enormous profits"? Explain your answer.

2. How do you think the Japanese thought of the Dutch? Do you think the Japanese respected the Dutch? Why or why not?

3. Many corporations today are accused of making profit the "bottom line." What do you think that means? Do you agree?

4. Would you work for a company whose open or implied philosophy was "profit at any cost"? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Commodore is in some ways a larger-than-life hero, especially considering he is an historical personage. Despite incredible odds, he accomplishes his goals. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Would you have considered Commodore Perry a hero had he not obtained a treaty with the Japanese? Would he even be mentioned except in passing in history books? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Perry who you might call a hero and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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