History of Japan

Discover the opposition against the bakufu, factions forming over the Harris Treaty, imperial court involvement after a millennia, diverse responses of Daimyo to treaties, contrasting beliefs of influential figures, succession crisis post-Tokugawa Iesada, and power struggles for authority in Tokugawa-era Japan.

Explore the pivotal figures of Sakuma Shozan and Yoshida Shoin in 1850s Japan, advocating for modernization and navigating the clash between tradition and Western influences. Delve into the radical ideologies of leaders during the Meiji Restoration and witness the reevaluation of Eastern ethics and Western science in the face of foreign crises.

Explore Japanese reactions to Perry and Harris, Battle lines drawn for Japan's future, Struggle for negotiation mandate, Diplomatic intrigues in Japan and China, Impact of trade treaties and religious freedom in Japan.

President Fillmore sends Commodore Perry to Japan, leading to intense negotiations and diplomatic challenges. Perry's legacy and Japan's response to Western influence are explored, setting the stage for further episodes.

Exploring the challenges faced by the samurai class in the 19th century, the key regions that contributed to the fall of the shogunate, and the foreign crisis that disrupted Japanese isolation. Delving into economic struggles, social tensions, and the defiance of the Shimazu Clan against Tokugawa rules. Additionally, discussing the foreign threats that led to encounters with American, British, and Dutch ships, and the dilemma of Edo's leadership in facing the impending challenge from the United States.

Exploring the political situation in the Tokugawa period, carving up the country by Tokugawa Ieyasu, decline of shogun power and rise of Council of Elders, economic and political structures of Tokugawa Japan, evolution of punishment and government structure in Tokugawa era

Yoshida Shigeru was the postwar Prime Minister who helped salvage Japan's economy after WWII and set the country on the course to recovery. Today we'll discuss his background, time in office, and his influence on the course of Japan's political history.

This week, we cover the first Japanese expeditions to Europe. How was it decided that a group of samurai should be dispatched to Rome? Were there really samurai who were also technically knights? How scandalized were the European upper classes by the idea of chopsticks? All that and more, this week!

This week, we cover the rise to global fame of one of Japan's greatest cultural ambassadors: Godzilla. How did a monster designed as a metaphor about the bomb become emblematic of postwar Japan? Find out this week!

In the final episode of our series on the atomic bomb, we'll talk a bit about some other theories related to the bomb before closing with some general thoughts about the bomb and what it says about how we approach and write history.