Evaluate the impact of isolation on Japan during the 17th century.

Candidates will make an appraisal of the impact of isolation on Japan by considering the positive and negatives effects of this policy. Candidates may approach the question by taking a thematic approach by discussing the social, political and economic effects of this policy or they may discuss the positive and then the negative impacts of “turning in”. Positive political effects discussed could include long periods of peace and political unity with few internal divisions. However, candidates may also argue that this led to a rigid society with almost no social mobility and that long periods of peace undermined the status of the samurai class. Candidates may also argue that although isolationism protected Japanese culture it also limited trade and prevented technological advances which made Japan more vulnerable in the long term to foreign powers.