Japan and China’s Absolute Rulers

SSWH 11 aDescribe the policies of

Tokugawa and Qing rulers; Oda Nobunaga and Kangxi.

Japan experienced a time of unrest 1467-1568• Created a new feudal state• Daimyo, warrior chieftains, became lords and gave protection, homes, & work to the peasants

Oda Nobunaga• Brutal & ambitious daimyo who

fought to gain control and attempts to unify Japan• He defeated his rivals & took

control of the capital Kyoto – 1568• He ruled the empire by force but

never unified Japan – committed suicide

Tokugawa Unites Japan• Tokugawa Ieyasu completed unification in 1600•Became Shogun, sole ruler, in 3 years of defeating rivals & gaining loyalty of daimyos•He moves the capital to Edo (Tokyo)

• Daimyos still governed locally, to keep them from rebelling Tokugawa forced them to stay in the capital every other year “Alternate Attendance Policy”• Law became mightier than the sword• Tokugawa Shogunate ruled until 1867, giving Japan order

China for 200 years had ineffective rulers, corrupt officials, & the govt. went bankrupt caused civil strife

Qing Dynasty• 1644 – Manchus invaded China and overthrew Ming dynasty•Manchus took name Qing & ruled for 260 years• Fought many rebellious Chinese but slowly gained respect

•Kept Confuscian ideas and teachings & social structures•Restored China’s prosperity and made the country safer for travel

Kangxi of Qing Dynasty• Emperor of China in 1661 and ruled for 60 years• Reduced govt. expenses and lowered taxes• Educated man, socialized with artists and foreigners (gave some jobs within the govt.)