AP Success - AP World History: Japan as a Maritime Power
"As I consider all the other people of the Orient as they exist today, I feel convinced that there is no other nation which has the ability or the courage to navigate a steamship across the Pacific after a period of five years of experience in navigation and engineering. Not only in the Orient would this feat stand as an act of unprecedented skill and daring. Even Peter the Great of Russia, who went to Holland to study navigation, with all his attainments in the science could not have equaled this feat of the Japanese. Without doubt, the famous Emperor of Russia was a man of exceptional genius, but his people did not respond to his leadership in the practice of Science as did our Japanese in this great adventure. "
The Autobiography of Yukichi Fukuzawa, 1897
Question 1
According to Yukichi Fukuzawa's account, what distinguishes Japan from other nations in the Orient during the late 19th century?
The ability and courage to navigate a steamship across the Pacific.
The implementation of democratic governance.
The exclusive possession of steamship technology in the Orient.
The establishment of a colonial empire in the Pacific.
Question 2
Fukuzawa's comparison of Japanese achievements in navigation to those of Peter the Great suggests what about Japanese society at the time?
Japanese society was focused on studying navigation in Holland.
Japanese society was highly responsive to leadership in the practice of science.
Japanese society was less innovative than Russian society under Peter the Great.
Japanese society was resistant to adopting Western technologies.
Question 3
The 'great adventure' referred to by Fukuzawa most likely symbolizes which of the following in the context of late 19th-century Japan?
Japan's rapid modernization and adoption of Western technology.
Japan's diplomatic efforts to form alliances with Western powers.
Japan's exploration and discovery of new territories.
Japan's military expeditions to expand its territorial control.
Question 4
What can be inferred about Fukuzawa's perspective on Japan's place in the world?
He believes Japan should remain isolated and preserve its traditional practices.
He views Japan as a leader in technological and scientific advancement in the Orient.
He is critical of Japan's rapid modernization and Westernization.
He sees Japan as lagging behind the West in terms of innovation and skill.
Question 5
The excerpt from The Autobiography of Yukichi Fukuzawa is an example of which of the following historical processes in the 19th century?
The Meiji Restoration and the modernization of Japan.
The decline of the Tokugawa shogunate and the return to feudalism.
The spread of Christianity and its influence on Japanese naval technology.
The Russo-Japanese War and the rise of Japanese militarism.
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