Religion Fades

I. Introduction

A. Overview events of the time period

1. Shogun period

2. Meiji period

3. Actions of Commodore Perry

4. Sino and Russo Japanese war

5. Thesis

Over time, and this is true in every country, faith fades and gives way to science and religion gives way to practicality.

II. The Edo (Shogun) rule 1608-1868

A. The takeover

1. how they came into rule

a. the battle of Sekigahara

b. the expulsion of Christianity

c. feudalism

B. The beginning of the end

1. Political pressure

a. Commodore Perry

b. crushing debt

c. civilian suspicions

d. the coup coup de gras

C. Commodore Perry

1. unfair treaty

2. how he landed

3. Perry fooled into seeing

a mere lord

4. final blow

D. Religious effects

1. Buddhism

2. Shintoism

IV. The Meiji restoration 1868

A. The new style

1. more open to western influence

2. Wanted to go to the West and see what it was like

3. problems starting up

a. Satsuma rebellions

b. mopping up the last little samurai outbreaks

B. The government

1. freedom of religion/Christianity un-banned

a. religious figures and traditional samurai lose power

2. Modern state end of feudalism

3. constitution

4. wanted new technology desperately

a. railroads built

b. army formed c. navy formed

5. Sino and Russo Japanese wars because of Japans new expansion

C. Compare and contrast

1. Enclosed self supporting traditional-Modern expansionist

2. Feudal vs.

V. Sino (1894) and Russo (1904) Japanese wars

A. Sino Japanese war

1. Control of Korea

a. Japan wanted its resources as their own.

b. guess what, so did China

c. Like siblings fighting over a cute dog, they left it up to Korea.

d. Korea did not decide

e. representatives on both sides were killed, WAR

f. of course no one listens to religious council and try to use words

B. Russo Japanese war

1. Control of Manchuria

a. Both countries want control over Manchuria's resources.

b. Russian government was weak but had a strong army.

2. Russian revolution

a. Russia was dangerously close to a revolution.

b. The leaders thought that they could suppress it by winning.

c. they lost

VI. Conclusion

A. restate thesis

Over time, and this is true in every country, faith fades and gives way to science and religion gives way to practicality.

B. review of reasons and causes of the fade of religion

1. Arrival of Christianity

2. Western influence

3. Fall out of power for religious class

C. Conclusions

1. Religion did fall victim to the new influences

2. New gov. =less privileges for religion and less decision making

Religion Fades

Near the middle of the 1800's Japan's government of over 200 years was crumbling. The shoguns were rapidly falling out of power and a rebellion was brewing that would bring about Japan's new Meiji government. The Meiji government was the breath of fresh air the economy needed. These two periods in the 19th century were the key factors in Japan becoming an "official" world power like the western powers of Europe and America, Japan was the first Asian world power, However whenever anyone decides to become more modern, religion takes a backseat, this is shown by the contrast of the Shogun's traditional rule, honoring religion and using it as a guide with the Meiji's bureaucratic, slightly imperialist government style. Religion went from being a Guide to an extra curricular activity. In every country and government, religion slowly fades to practicality and faith to scientific fact. In Japan the Meiji period brought an end to feudalism

The shogun government came into rule in the year 1600 after a victory at the battle of Sekigahara. The Shogun government was based on feudalism; this system put the religious leaders in a high rank. The shoguns suppressed Christianity and returned to the traditional religions of Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

Religion was a very valued and protected necessity. The ruling elite