Japan and Scientific Revolution Short

Answer Study Guide

1-Describe the Impacts of Japans Geography.

Firstly, Japan is very mountainous. Due to this rugged terrain,
political unity is difficult to achieve. In addition, there was limited
farming land. Secondly, Japan is located on an archipelago or chain
of islands. Since Japan was surrounded by ocean, it was used for
transportation and food. Also, the ocean provided protection,
preventing other cultures from conquering Japan, such as China or
Korea. Lastly, due to being located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, there is
much seismic activity such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Due to this, the Japanese had much respect for nature. They even
developed the Shinto religion, worshipping Kami, or forces of nature.
The geography of Japan had much impact on Japan.
2-Describe how Korea and China influenced early
Japan.
Japanese language is distantly related to Korean language and is not at
all related to Chinese language. During the early centuries, Japan and
were in almost constant contact with each other. Artists and metal
workers from Korea sold in Japan bringing sophisticated skills and
technology. Japanese and Korean warriors crossed the sea in order to
attack each others strongholds. Some Yamato leading families claimed
Korean ancestors. By 500 AD missionaries from Korea introduced
Buddhism to Japan and with it came Chinese writing and culture. This
sparked a sudden interest in Chinese civilization, especially the Tang.
In the early 1600s Prince Shokoto sent Chinese nobles to study in
Japan. China influenced Japanese government. Rulers adapted the
name Heavenly Emperor and claimed absolute power. They
strengthened central government, set up bureaucracy and set up law
to similar to China. In 710, a new Japanese capital was built modelling
the Tang capital Changan. The tea ceremony was adopted from China
and so did Tang gardens, music and dances. Also Confucian ideas
took root like filial piety and respect for learning. Zen Buddhism was
also adopted from China.
3-Explain Centralized Feudalism under the
Tokugawa.
The Tokugawa Shogunate, established by Tokugawa Ieyasu achieved
much during its reign, between 1600 and 1868. He established a
 type of government called Centralized Feudalism, after the dark ages
of Japan. They kept outward forms of Feudalism, while imposing
central government control. Society was unified, ruling from Edo
(Tokyo) Daimyo were required every other year and their families all
the time. A law was made that Daimyo could not marry or fix castles
without permission. Social order was very rigid. Only Samurai
warriors were allowed to serve in the military or hold government
positions. In addition, peace brought about in farming in trade
brought economic prosperity. The Tokugawa increasingly spread fear
of European power and Christianity. An edict was passed called the
Sokoku Edict in 1635, limiting trade.
4-Describe 4 achievements of the Scientific
Revolution.

There was much achieved thanks to the Scientific Revolution. There

were many advances made in astronomy. Firstly, the heliocentric or
sun centered model of the universe was developed by Nicolaus
Copernicus. Johannes Kepler then calculated the eccentricities of the
planets that revolve around the sun. Galileo discovered that moons
revolve planets. Newton developed the law of gravity and other laws
of the universe. Secondly, the scientific method was developed.
Bacon and Descartes then devoted themselves to the problem of
knowledge. Thirdly, Robert Boyle made developments in chemistry
by distinguishing between individual elements and chemical
compounds. Fourthly, the scientific method was made, a step by
step process to solving a problem. Lastly, advantages in medicine
were made. Human autonomy was studied, stitches were
developed, ointment to prevent infection was made and William
Harvey discovered the circulation of blood and that the heart pumps
the blood.
5-Explain the scientific method.
By the 1600s a new approach to science came about that didnt start
with classical philosophers like Ptolemy or Aristotle or even with the
Bible. Instead, it started with observation and experimentation.
Complex mathematical calculations were used to convert the
observations and experimentations into scientific laws. The steps of
this method were to state the problem, gather information form a
hypothesis, experiment to test the hypothesis, record and analyze, and
finally state the conclusion. It was really also a revolution in thought.
Two giants of this revolution were English Francis Bacon and
Frenchmen Rene Descartes. Both rejected classical assumptions and
making science fit Church teachings. The truth was not known at the
 beginning of inquiry but at the end, after a long investigation. Bacon
stressed experiment and observation by leading to practical
technologies. Descartes that reasoning was the best road to human
understanding. The scientific method was truly very influencial.
6- Describe how advances in astronomy challenge traditional views
advanced by the Church.
Advances in astronomy challenged traditional views advanced by the
Church. Most experts rejected this revolutionary theory of a
heliocentric universe, since it went against both Church teachings and
the teachings of Ptolemy. A heliocentric model of the universe is sun
centered and the planets revolve around Earth. In Europe at the time,
all scientific knowledge and many religious teachings were developed
by classical thinkers. If Ptolemys reasoning of the planets was wrong,
they believed, then the whole system of human knowledge would also
have to be questioned. When Galileo discovered that there were
mountains, and there are sunspots on the moon and the moon of a
planet revolves around a planet just like planets revolved around the
sun, this caused a major uproar. Scholars attacked him since his
observations contradicted ancient views of the world. The Church
condemned him since it challenged that the heavens were fixed,
unmoving and perfect. He was forced to withdraw his heresies with
the death threat. These advances really challenged the Church.