By reviewing Kerala Syllabus 6th Standard Social Science Notes Pdf English Medium and Class 6 Social Science Chapter 12 Japan: History and the Present Notes Questions and Answers Kerala SCERT Solutions, students can improve their conceptual understanding.
Class 6 Social Science Chapter 12 Japan: History and the Present Notes Questions and Answers
Class 6 Social Science Japan: History and the Present Notes Questions and Answers
Class 6 Social Science Chapter 12 Question Answer Kerala Syllabus
Question 1.
Observe the world map. Identify and note neighbouring countries of Japan.
Answer:
- Russia
- South Korea
- North Korea
- China
Question 2.
Complete the worksheet.
Answer:
| JAPAN | |
| Literature | Kojiki is traditional history of Japan |
| Shintoism | Traditional religious belief |
| Food | Rice was the staple food in Japan |
| Clothing | Kimono is traditional dress of Japan. |
Question 3.
Collect information indicating Japan’s progress from the Meiji Restoration to its growth into an economic power. Prepare a wall magazine with this information.
Answer:
Question 4.
List the efforts made by Japan to build an empire. Analyse how this adversely affected Japan’s growth.
Answer:
Efforts Made by Japan to Build an Empire
Strong Nationalism: After the Meiji Restoration, Japan became very proud of its country and sought to become as strong as Western nations.
Wars to Expand
- Japan fought wars with China and Russia to gain more power and land.
- Japan won these wars even though it was a small country.
Colonies: Japan took control of nearby territories, such as T aiwan and Korea, and made them colonies.
World War II Actions: Japan continued trying to expand and attacked Pearl Harbour in the USA during World War II.
How This Affected Japan Badly
Atomic bombs
- Because Japan attacked Pearl Harbour, the USA dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
- This caused huge destruction and suffering.
Japan Lost the War
- Japan was defeated in World War II.
- Its army was dissolved, and a new constitution was made.
Economy Destroyed
- Many cities and industries were destroyed.
- Japan became very poor and had to rebuild everything.
Lost All Colonies
Japan lost Taiwan, Korea, and all other lands it had taken.
Japan: History and the Present Questions and Answers Extended Activities
Question 1.
Prepare placards for an anti-war rally.
Answer:
Question 2.
Decorate the classroom by making Sadako paper cranes and write messages of peace.
Answer:
Question 3.
Collect pictures and information about Japanese cuisine and prepare an album! digital album.
Answer:
Question 4.
Organise a seminar on the topic: ‘The Meiji Restoration and the Changes in Japan’.
Answer:
1. Introduction
Topic: The Meiji Restoration and the Changes in Japan Important Changes During Meiji Restoration
(a) Modem Education
- Schools were started for all children.
- Students learned science, maths, and languages.
(b) Modem Army and Navy
- Japan trained its army using modem methods.
- New uniforms and new weapons were introduced.
(c) Modem Industry
- Japan built factories, railways, and shipyards.
- People started using machines instead of doing everything by hand.
(d) Transport and Communication
- Railways and roads were improved.
- Postal services and telegram services started.
How Japan Changed
- Japan became strong, modem, and well-developed.
- It became one of the leading countries in Asia.
- Japan became known for technology, discipline, and progress.
Conclusion
- The Meiji Restoration helped Japan grow very fast.
- It changed Japan from an old country to a modem nation.
- Today’s successful Japan started with these changes.
Japan: History and the Present Class 6 Notes Pdf
Std 6 Social Science Japan: History and the Present Notes
- There are thousands of islands in Japan.
- The major four islands of Japan were Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu.
- Japan is a country constantly facing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
- The longest river in Japan is the Shinano River.
- Kojiki, written in the 8th century CE, is a work that describes the traditional history of Japan.
- “The Tale of Genji”, written by a court lady Murasaki Shikibu, is one of the most famous among them.
- Shintoism is the traditional religious belief in Japan.
- The word “Shinto” means “the way of God”.
- From ancient days rice was the staple food in Japan. This cooked food was called ‘Gohan’.
- The Kimono is traditional dress of Japan. It was mainly used in royal courts.
- The Samurais were a class of warriors who had influence in the administration. They served the Shoguns and the Daimyo.
- Japan was an Asian country that escaped from the foreign domination. Many countries tried to establish trade relations with Japan.
- The Meiji Government initiated a new policy emphasising the idea of ‘Fukoku Kyohei’ – ‘Rich Country, Strong Army’.
- In the 1870s, Japan began a new education system.
- Japan engaged in wars to expand its empire to China and other Asian regions.
- Japan, devastated in the Second World War, rapidly recovered to the path of progress. This reconstruction was described as the ‘post-war miracle’.
Introduction
This chapter, “Japan: History and present”, explains that Japan is a small island country in Asia, but it has a long and exciting history. Long ago, Japan was ruled by emperors and followed old traditions. A major turning point came with the Meiji Restoration, when Japan decided to modernize and learn new ideas from the world. This helped the country grow fast in education, technology, and industry. Later, Japan made great efforts to build an empire and become powerful in Asia. Today, Japan is known for its hard work, discipline, and advanced technology. It is one of the most developed countries in the world, combining its rich traditions with modem life.
THE HISTORY OF JAPAN
- The major four islands of Japan were Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu.
- Vast coastlines, high hill ranges, and mountains are the features of Japan’s geography.
- Japan is a country constantly facing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The rivers are generally steep and fast-flowing.
- The longest river in Japan is the Shinano River.
- China and Korea, the neighbouring countries of Japan, had its influence in the culture of Japan from ancient times.
- Chinese writing system, philosophy, and literature reached Japan through Korea. In this manner, Buddhism also spread in Japan.
Literature
- Kojiki, written in the 8th century CE, is a work that describes the traditional history of Japan. It is written in a style that combines history and legend.
- By the 10th century CE, Japan began efforts to free itself from Chinese cultural influence. This helped Japan to develop its own unique culture.
- They developed a new script for the Japanese language by simplifying the Chinese writing style.
- Numerous literary works, including stories and poems, were written in the Japanese language.
- “The Tale of Genji”, written by a court lady Murasaki Shikibu, is one of the most famous among them.
Shintoism
- Shintoism is the traditional religious belief in Japan.
- The word “Shinto” means “the way of God”.
- Deities were generally called as ‘Kami’. The most important among them was the Sun Goddess ‘Amataresu’.
- Emperors were considered to be descendants of the Sun Goddess. These emperors were the heads of Shintoism.
Food
- From ancient days rice was the staple food in Japan. This cooked food was called ‘Gohan’.
- Millets were also a part of their diet.
- As a source of nutrition, fish w as a part of their diet. Sushi, a Japanese dish made of raw fish is now popular all over the world.
- Asa result of Chinese influence, noodles also became a part of their diet.
Clothing
- The Kimono is traditional dress of Japan. It was mainly used in royal courts.
- Kimono is worn by both women and men. It was similar to the long robes prevalent among the Chinese.
Shogun Rule
- Japan was ruled by emperors, for ages. However, by the 12th century, the administration of the country passed from the Emperors to the hands of military leaders known as Shoguns.
- The Shoguns ruled in the name of the Emperor, who became a nominal ruler.
- During this administration, Japan was divided into over 250 domains.
- Their control was placed under the rule of lords called Daimyo.
- The Samurais were a class of warriors who had influence in the administration. They served the Shoguns and the Daimyo.
- The Shogun rule came to an end in Japan with the ‘Meiji Restoration’ in the 19th century.
DAIMYO
Daimyo were feudal lords in Japan. They controlled the provinces of Japan from the 12th century to the 19th century.
MEIJI RESTORATION
- Japan was an Asian country that escaped from the foreign domination. Many countries tried to establish trade relations with Japan.
- Commodore Matthew Perry, an American arrived in Japan in 1853 and secured the right to have trade with them.
- The arrival of Matthew Perry changed the political history of Japan.
- The Shoguns were forcibly removed from power in a movement in 1868, and the emperor returned to
power as the supreme authority. - The city of Edo was declared the capital. It was later renamed as Tokyo. This is known as the ‘Meiji Restoration’.
Changes In Administration
- The Meiji Government initiated a new policy emphasising the idea of ‘Fukoku Kyohei’ – ‘Rich Country, Strong Army’.
- To strengthen the country, the Meiji Government implemented a new administrative system. The army and the officials were brought under the direct control of the Emperor.
- Military service was made compulsory for all young men over the age of twenty for a fixed period.
Education System
In the 1870s, Japan began a new education system.
Economic Development
Another important aspect of the Meiji reforms was the modernisation of the economy.
- As a part of modernisation, numerous industries were started in Japan.
- From small-scale industries employing less than five people, to large factories with hundreds of workers, were set up in Japan. Thus, Japan succeeded in forming a modem nation-state.
EFFORTS OF JAPAN TO BUILD AN EMPIRE
- A nationalism centred around the state emerged in Japan with the Meiji Restoration.
- Japan engaged in wars to expand its empire to China and other Asian regions.
- It established a colonial empire by conquering neighbouring countries, Taiwan and Korea.
Despite being a small country, Japan defeated both China, the source of its culture and ideals and Russia the European power. Their subsequent efforts to establish their empire led to more wars. During the Second World War, Japan attacked Pearl Harbour of the United States of America. This led the United States of America to drop atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.
The dropping of the atom bombs caused immense destruction and suffering in Japan. After the war, with
the US led invasion, Japan’s military was disbanded, and a new constitution came into existence.
Japan, devastated in the Second World War. rapidly recovered to the path of progress. This reconstruction was described as the ‘post-war miracle’. The Olympics conducted in the capital, Tokyo in 1964 was a declaration of Japan’s comeback. The industrial and commercial sectors grew rapidly. The bullet train network that could run at a speed of up to 200 miles per hour, started during the same period, was a proof of Japan’s technological expertise. By the 1970s. Japan emerged as a major economic power in the world. Japan is a direct example of how to become one of the world’s economic powers by utilising political and technological capabilities.
WORLD WARS
The First World War (1914-1918) and the Second World War (1939-1945) were the two wars in the 20th century that caused great terror and changes in human history. The atom bomb was first used in the Second World War.