What restrictions did tokugawa put and why class 11 history chapter pa...
Restrictions imposed by Tokugawa:
1. Social hierarchy:
- The Tokugawa shogunate implemented a strict social hierarchy known as the "Four-Class System" or "Four Divisions of Society."
- This system categorized people into four classes: samurai, peasants, artisans, and merchants.
- The purpose of this hierarchy was to maintain social order and stability, as well as to control the economic activities of the different classes.
2. Prohibition of Christianity:
- The Tokugawa shogunate banned Christianity in Japan due to concerns about foreign influence and potential political destabilization.
- The Jesuit missionaries who initially arrived in Japan during the 16th century were seen as a threat to the authority of the shogunate.
- This led to the persecution of Christians and the suppression of their activities.
3. Restriction on foreign trade:
- The Tokugawa shogunate imposed strict regulations on foreign trade, particularly with Europeans.
- The only port open for trade was Nagasaki, and foreign merchants were confined to a small island called Dejima.
- These restrictions were intended to control the influence of foreigners and prevent the spread of Christianity.
4. Separation of daimyo and samurai:
- The shogunate implemented policies that separated the daimyo (feudal lords) from their samurai warriors.
- The daimyo were required to spend every other year in the capital, Edo (present-day Tokyo), while their families remained there permanently.
- This system, known as "alternate attendance," effectively reduced the power of the daimyo and kept them under the control of the shogunate.
5. Control over movement and residence:
- The shogunate tightly regulated the movement and residence of its subjects.
- Samurai were required to obtain permission from the shogunate to travel outside their domains.
- Similarly, commoners were restricted from moving to other regions without official approval.
- These restrictions aimed to maintain social stability and prevent potential uprisings.
6. Control over cultural and intellectual activities:
- The shogunate exerted control over cultural and intellectual activities by promoting Confucianism and suppressing other ideologies.
- The government established strict censorship policies to control the dissemination of information and ideas.
- This control over cultural and intellectual activities helped maintain social order and prevent potential challenges to the authority of the shogunate.
Overall, these restrictions imposed by the Tokugawa shogunate were aimed at maintaining social order, controlling foreign influence, and consolidating the power of the ruling authority. While they contributed to stability and peace during the Edo period, they also limited individual freedoms and hindered social mobility.
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