1) Choose one of the following viewpoints. Pretending you are that person, write a letter to one of your government officials trying to convince them that your country should industrialize. Use specific evidence from your text and notes to convince the government leader.
1) Christian merchant living in the Ottoman Empire
2) Japanese Samurai
3) Chinese peasant
4) Brazilian Creole
5) Mughal (Indian) soldier
2) Now choose one of the letters written by someone else and answer them back from the viewpoint of the government official. You can agree with them OR tell them how wrong they are!
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i am a chinawoman peasant
ReplyDeleteDearest masters,
Working the fields in this heat is not agreeing well with this body of mine nor is it the bodies of many. We put in so much physical labor, with hardly nothing in return. It is not fair. My brothers and I work long hard hours producing and cultivating your crops with no complaints from anyone. Here I am to change that streak. The way we work is unfair. We lose family members doing this, even whole families I have seen go in these fields! They are dangerous. This is dangerous. On the street I hear talk of the beginning to use machines instead of using our forced labor. Oh, how I would rather use a machine then be putting my life and the life of my family at risk in these fields. I hear that the governments aren't adjusting well to this process of adding in the machines.. it would be a great help. Just think of how much we can produce! Taking the millions of us there are here and having us work with machines that do the work we do twice as fast! Think of how much money we can earn!! We have not made contact with our western friends in a long while I have realized. I believe we should start. We can make a boat load off of this. It will benefit China! Please, think of the workers in the field, we can not die anymore!
You have seen the results in other countries when the "peasants" revolt.. let it not happen to China! Help us!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehaha no stupid peasant you are wrong and i hate you hahahhaha. I have all the power and i know that machines are not right for this country!! The machines will devalue the quality of the work we create and you lowly peasants will become fat and lazy. Physical labor is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteP.S. go ahead, try to revolt, I dare you. We'll see how that turns out. Guarantee it won't be in your favor.
Dear Chinese peasant,
DeleteI have reviewed your proposal for starting to industrialize China and I have found that I agree with you. China has this huge workforce and with machinery, we can double, triple, even quadruple the output that we create! By doing this, our products will become even more valuable and the West will be forced to buy our items because they would be better than any other country in the world. By starting to use machinery, it will save the lives of all the farmers and artists who die from all the hard work that they put in. It would create a surplus and would guarantee that no one will die of starvation because we will look first to the needs of our country before selling to the rest of the world. I will start people on constructing machines to help with daily lives right away. Thank you Chinese peasant, you have been most beneficial for the welfare of our beautiful China!
Government official
YESSS REVOLT FIGHT DA POWA dont listen to them peasants they are trying to trick you,.. REBEL i believe in you... jk your gonna loose but REBEL ANYWAYS!
Deletelose*
DeleteDear Chinese Peasant,
DeleteI have looked over your letter and read your reasons why we should revolt, and I feel like you might be on the fence with your arguments. (i'm just pulling your rice picking hands) I agree with the statements you have made. The labor that you do is quite unappreciated, and you should be angry that you don't get paid well. I feel that these machines will make your lives much easier, and it will cut down the amount of labor needed to pick these crops. Don't worry about it!
-Sincerely,
Government Official Dorian Gray
-Emmanuel Damanakis
I am a Mughal (Indian) soldier
ReplyDeleteDear Government official,
My name is Vikas an I am a general in the Mughal army. We SHOULD industrialize because the British have taken over parts of our country and we have to fight back. They make us buy manufactured goods that they make in England using supplies from India! This is supremely unfair. We have the man power, we just need to start funding people that can develop the machinery in order to start manufacturing textiles again. We are losing money by having the British on our land taking from us. We have to increase our manufacturing output instead of letting it decline as it is so that we can actually compete against England, the US, and Japan. We don't want India to look like poor people when we used to be one of the wealthiest countries out there. Start industrializing, then us Mughals will have pride again!!
yours truly, Vikas a Mughal general in the army.
Dear Mughal soldier,
DeleteI have read your letter and I have been impressed by the good ideas and concerns that you had. I agree with you that we should industrialize. By industrializing, we can gain power back like you have said and we will be able to produce our own goods, and trade/sell with other parts of country. You have truly convinced me and I must start to gather ideas on how we should start to develop the machinery in order to start manufacturing textiles again. -Government Official-
I am a Chinese Peasant.
ReplyDeleteDear Government Officials,
I am writing this letter to you because I am hoping for China to industrialize. I have been working many hours on low wages, and it seems unfair to do so much work with so little hands to help out. My family are not very healthy due to massive amount of work that they had to deal with and my kids are sick and so skinny because they are working without getting any good nutrition in their body. If China had machinery coming in then there would be a better chance of peasants living easier and better. With all respect, I hope that China will start to manufacture or produce machines.. It sounds like a big improvement for China.. For once I want to work and be able to rest a little with a help of machines. I am sick of watching people die out of working too much.. so please consider it. Thank you.
Dear peasant, You have no place in telling the government what it can and should do, however with further thought I have realised industrialization does seem like the right way to go in order for china to evolve. Despire your low social class level, I take on your opinion and will push china harder to become industrialized.
DeleteGO back to work peasant and stop with these ideas!
I am a chinese peasant,
ReplyDeleteDear government, I believe we should industrialize china because all of the surronding countries are industrializing with all the benefits and none of the cons. They are all becoming stronger economically as china becomes weaker and weaker. It would be nice using machines such as the cotton gin to pick cotton instead of using my hands and becoming tired. The cotton gin is an amazing invention, Only if china would industrialize so I could use the cotton gin and produce cotton faster *sigh*
Please industrialize! China will not be left behind on my watch!
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteDear Chinese Peasant,
DeleteI've read your letter and I think I will take your ideas into consideration even though you really have no place to say these things to me. It could be a good idea but it might be a little shocking to the system at first. I think hat using coal and iron could help improve our way of life. so thank you for your great idea about the cotton gin I think that this could be very useful to China.
Your government official
P.s. if you say something like this to the people around you or ever again we may have an issue.
-Michelle P.
Dear Peasant,
DeleteMan that feels nice to say.
Anyway, you have no power.
You have no say.
Thanks for the advice though, i'll take it into consideration... maybe
I don't like Europeans, I thinks everyone in the world is crazy and only I know what I'm doing.
Sincerly,
Your master
P.S. I like silver
Dear Mr.PingDingWongTziaoPaouzhaou IV
ReplyDeleteI hello Mr.PingDingWongTziaoPaouzhaou IV, i am a Japanese Samurai and i need to inform you about something on my mind. I was and still am one of the most respectable Samurais Japan has ever had, and i believe that we need to industrialize the whole country. Running and fighting with these people with gunpowder just isn't fair, we are getting slaughtered. Even though we are more superior and powerful to them in close ranged combat and man to man, but they can shoot us before we can even get to them. WE MUST inquire some weaponry and upgrade our army, or else we shall not be supreme anymore. We have the resources and utility to do so, i mean common if China can do it we can also do it. Consider this seriously, or else we might be conquered, because we definitely can't handle their weapon power.
- Mitsurugi
Mitsurugi, I am vary of the predicament you are in. It affects all of us. However, I cannot allow my people to look outside of Japan. We must find a solution amongst ourselves as doing otherwise would go against all our cherished beliefs.
DeleteSincerely,
Mr.PingDingWongTziaoPaouzhaou IV ;)
1) Choose one of the following viewpoints. Pretending you are that person, write a letter to one of your government officials trying to convince them that your country should industrialize. Use specific evidence from your text and notes to convince the government leader.
ReplyDeleteChinese peasant:
To whom it may concern,
Each day my family and I toil on our farms in the oppressive heat. It can get pretty bad out there. Thankfully, I overheard some merchants talking about new technology that could significantly improve farming techniques and therefore our quality of life. However, I also heard that there is a lot of opposition from the government about introducing such technology. On behalf of all the peasants in China, I beg you to at least consider allowing such technology as it will greatly improve our lives and help our economy in the long run. Thank you.
To the Peasant and his family,
DeleteI have considered your ideas of becoming Industrialized. As a government official I am happy to say that we will be becoming industrialized, its a brilliant idea really. We will be able to create machines that can do YOUR work for you! We will also be able to mass produce certain things, at a much faster pace then any of you peasants could. it will even be cheaper, we don't have to feed and pay machines!
-The Government Official that took your idea.
-Samantha Aversano
Dear Peasant,
DeleteI see what you're trying to say. We will consider allowing technology in farming. What you heard from the merchants is true, we've been developing new technology that may benefit you, the peasants. However, the reason why we haven't allowed it to be official yet is because we weren't sure if we can produce as much as we spend. However, now that I think about it, I think we will be able to produce a lot more. Thank you for asking.
The Government
ReplyDeleteTo the Government Official it may concern,
It has been many years since I have done my civil Duty as a Samurai, we have been very peaceful, and its driving me crazy. We have sent away so many people, such as the Christians, and traders when we could be learning from. Most places are changing, they are Industrializing, I believe we should too. The man Commodore Perry from the United states, he wanted us to sign a treaty to work with them. Though they will have power over us for a time, we can quickly become stronger and become better then them. We could focus on building up our military forces, which I must add, will make me very happy and will be able to reverse the treaty, the United States will be working under us, they will have to listen to us if they want to trade. None of this can happen if we stick to being isolated and to ourselves.
Please consider, A Loyal Japanese Samurai.
-Sam Aversano
Dear Loyal Japanese Samurai Samantha Aversano,
DeleteI am rather pleased with your plan although I am rather sacred that I will not be able to handle this kind of foreign intervention and an end to this isolation, plus I really want to battle with someone already! Were encountering some financial problems and we need to fix them, our agriculture isn’t cutting it these days; commercialism ruins everything. But not to fret Samantha aversano; our infrastructure is actually already spreading and now commerce and manufacturing are taking place in the countryside, with the added American help after we turn that treaty around everything will continue to spread and the economy will be fixed in no time!
Your fearless leader
Bob the Shogunate
Dear Samurai,
DeleteI have taken your letter into consideration as well as many others and i agree. Being that you are a Samurai, I can have somewhat trust in what your opinion. I am going to try to work it out with Commodore Perry and other government officials, and hopefully we can get trade open with the United States. It has come to my attention that our traditional economic activities need to expand. Hopefully all will go well.
-Someone who has more power than you :)
Brazilian Creole
ReplyDeleteDear Charlie (Government official),
Being that I, Mustafa, am a Creole I see a lot of what goes on here in Brazil, furthermore I am in shock at the amount of slaves that we have. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice that I have someone to be above politically, but I find it unreasonable that we need to have o many slaves when the world is changing so quickly and drastically. Didn’t you hear that new machines can double the sugar cane output we can sell in half the time?! We won’t need to feed, or house, or clothe, so many slaves anymore! And we especially won’t have to buy as many from Africa! That will save us so much more money and give us more to sell too! We need to invest in some better technology and then we can keep up with all those other Europeans and sell, sell, sell!!
Please put into consideration all I have said and I hope you come to the smart, money saving decision of industrializing!! More money, more sugar, less slaves, and more trade! It doesn’t get better than that Charlie!
I hope to see this plan of action pursued,
All the best
Mustafa Juan Indianchief Pablo de Gama
Dear Mustafa Juan Indianchief Pablo de Gama,
DeleteAs compelling as your argument is, the policy of mercantilism has brought us more prosperity than your ludicrous idea of industrialization will. Not only will industrialization further our needs for slaves, as the more factories you own, the more people you need to run them, but also may end up costing us more than it is worth. We will surely take parts of your idea into consideration, but do not expect any immediate changes, as it is risky to take part in something that is too new to have any known long term effects.
Sincerely,
Charlie (Government Official)
Dear Mustatfa Juan Indianchief Pablo de Gama,
DeleteYou have bright ideas, but for the better we shouldn't move along with industrialization. It's too much of a risk. We have already have a growth in trade and it has been better than before. So trust me in my judgement on this subject. Also it would cost the people so much money and we would end up taxing the people for an idea that hasn't been planned out to the tee. If we tax the people, it would end up in a revolution similar to what is occurring in the 13 colonies. I say we keep how everything is until we are certain it will benefit us in the long run.
Sincerely,
Charlie
I am a Brazilian Creole
ReplyDeleteDear Government Officials,
I am just one of a nation full of Brazilian Creoles who wishes to incite change and encourage industrialization to take place. Industrialization will take this nation to new heights, as well create new textile, clothing, food products, beverages, and tobacco industries, which are more in demand than the agriculture industry that we seem to focus on most. Focus on mercantilism by Portugal has rendered us useless, so much to the point where we are seen as dependent and weak in comparison to all other nations. Although previous attempts at this have been thwarted by the Portuguese’s strict policies on mercantilism, accepting industrialization is a step in the right direction, to not only show Portugal that we are good for more than providing agricultural products, but also to prove that all of the Creoles are united in the belief that industrialization is the right decision for us and our nation.
Best Regards,
Brazilian Creole
Dear Brazilian Creole,
DeleteI will most definitely take your ideas into consideration. It seems as if you have proven a huge point, and our nation needs to prove ourselves to the Portuguese once and for all together with the help of Industrialization. We cannot focus on the use of slaves because it is just a load of money, waste of food products, beverages and clothing. We need to set this country right and set us on the top. We will make sure Industrialization takes place once and for all.
Sincerely,
Government official
Dear Government officials,
ReplyDeleteI'm here writing this letter to speak to you about new advancements in China to help industrialize it. All my life, my dads life and my grandfathers life have been hard. We work long hours with little pay, my family and I work long laborious days and yet we are left with nothing. Its unfair, we need new advancements to help us along. My family, and neighbors are getting very sick too because of all the work and time we put in, but we still don't have enough money to pay to doctors. Some of us die because of all the work in the fields. Just imagine how nice it would be to have simple machines working and we the people wouldn't get hurt in the process. You will be known as the officials who made China better, who made China advanced! China will not only be advanced but our economy will raise and we will become wealthier and safer. Think of all the production we will have, instead of producing by the hundreds maybe thousands if we are lucky, but producing by the millions! If America, "the New World" can do it, then so can we! I think that China can benefit so greatly from these new machines. I hope that we can improve china to its full potential and be able to have a great economy and better living situations.
With great admiration and appreciation,
Your loyal peasant.
-Michelle P.
Dear peasant,
DeleteI appreciate that you, rather then rebelling like the other barbaric peasants, had been able to write to me. I also admire your honesty and insight, though, since I am superior, you shouldn't tell me what to do. Your heritage compared to mine means nothing. Though, it does interest me to believe I can be the one who changed Japan, to know as the greatest official in history, I like the sound of that. Yet, I am so conflicted as I am taking word from a peasant! How degrading is that? Yet with machines, that do work. Hmm, sounds like these machines can just work without being paid to be fed! Wonderful idea peasant, instead of you working in the field along with your other barbarian peasants, we will have the machines who can't revolt and cause me trouble. Anyways, I have more matters to attend to at the moment as more of you seem to be revolting, oh well, as soon as we industrialize, we won't have to care about revolts since the machines will have your jobs, thank you!
- good luck with your future,
A greater official whose name is to great to be known.
Dear lovely peasant,
DeleteI will be taking this letter into my consideration however, i do understand that if we start with this new technology and have machines help you guys the process overall will be faster. And i would like to be official known to help China in the long run. I agree with you there when you state that "we the people wouldn't get hurt in the process," i know the conditions you are in now maybe dangerous and i apologize. Hopefully China will industrialize and become better than America.
-Sincerely, Higher Power Than You!
-Nicole Albino
(Japanese Samurai)
ReplyDeleteDear government official,
It would only make sense to upgrade in industrialization. The world around us is changing and becoming more advanced everyday. The only way we can catch up is if we advance as well. Not only will it make it easier on labor, but it will also boost our economy and help it expand. I think it's time that we open trade with the United States, trade with just the Dutch and the Chinese is not enough anymore. This can only help us improve. We wouldn't be a threat to European interests and we can continue our traditional economic activities, except to more areas around the world. I think it would be more of a risk to not join everyone else in advancing industrially. Please consider the wise suggestion I am making and help our economy be successful.
- The voice of a Japanese Samurai
DeleteI, Shogun Takehiko Nakao do not approve. Our country was very well advanced as we built railroads, improved roads, and inaugurated a land reform program to prepare the country for further development. Our modern industry also appeared in textiles, including cotton and especially silk, which was based in home workshops in rural areas. I will consider your ideas, and thank you for your input.
Oh Samurai, how naive you are. I appreciate your attempt of trying to persuade me to industrialize but it just won't be happening. Our economy is completely fine on it's own. Don't you realize that we should be focusing on building military strength. We will improve as long as we continue to do what we have been doing for years. We have contributed enough to other people's manufacturing and trade we are done with that now.
DeleteSamurai, I do love the way you think this plan will work, but unfortunetly industrializing would not be a good idea. WE have been isolated for reasonable purposes and we will not start to open trade especially with the US. Our military has to grow bigger and stronger and that should be our main focus , nothing else, but thanks for trying. And we will see what we will do about our economic activities that that you've brought that to my attention.
DeleteDear General Abdullah Nikola,
ReplyDeleteAlthough we’ve reached our peak after winning many of our encounters with the European kingdom, we still have many internal problems, including our country’s industrialization. The quality of our land and sea transport is driven by the efforts of the Ottoman administration but it seems like the quality of our transport infrastructure plunged drastically. One economic problem we faced is getting enough revenue to keep the army and government functioning. Without the government controls, it is hard for our country to industrialize. The decline of our power and prosperity also has a strong impact on urban and well-educated young men who protested European domination of the empire's political, economic, and cultural life.
Sincerely,
Yani Kethuda (Christian merchant living in the Ottoman Empire)
Response to the merchant.
DeleteThere will be no changes to our government. The strength of the Sultan blocks the European influence from tainting our great subjects. As a Christian, you are tolerated and respected as a 'person of the Book', but you have little say within my Sunni government. Our army, while it may seem dated, remains strongly composed due to the order of our Janissaries. We will keep out European thoughts and maintain central control of this region. So what if they have ships? They probably aren't going anywhere. As far as the Sultan is concerned, his whole 'world' is the empire he and his forefathers have controlled for centuries. Your requests are denied. Let the peasants keep working, if industrialization is so great then cities themselves can manage it.
(Mughal Soldier)
ReplyDeleteDear Government official,
I come to you with the utmost of intentions. I feel that we should start to industrialize our state; we are quite behind in warfare technology compared to the other states. We need to start industrializing immediately because the British are coming, and they don't intend to trade. They come to colonize us, and we need to have the weaponry to fight the British. The British want to sell us their gross manufactured items that were made in India by our men, and it's simply unjust. We need to industrialize our state in order to fight back these gross European traders, and restore ourselves as one of the most culturally diverse states in Asia! I hope you consider my pleas, and have a Mughal Day!
Sincerely,
Akbar
-Emmanuel Damanakis
You make valid points I cannot argue. Our country has thrived on peace and tolerance, our military is not up to par with Britain's. In order to regain our previous status in Asia, I think we must trade with neighboring civilizations. This will be our only chance to defend against the imminent invasion of the lobsterbacks (British).
DeleteI am a Japanese samurai
ReplyDeleteDear government official,
Over the course of commodore Perry's visit, we have seen the power behind these inventions they have brought to our land. To protect our people is the Samari's duty, yet I believe as the world changes we can not defend the good people of japan with our swords anymore. We closed Japan off from the world to protect and isolate us from the evils outside, but now they can threaten to come in with these massive metal monsters that commodore perry had brought. Usually, as the nature of a samurai, I have good faith in our weapons and our ability, but it is time to industrialize and finally start our changes for the sake and protection of our people, people we know as friends, family but also as we know are Japanese citizens. I give faith that you will make the right decision and start a industrialized economy, even if it means the loss of being a samurai , I will know that i have taken my part in protect our people with all my strength, but now this strength isn't enough anymore. We need new weapons and connections of the outside world, because a sword isn't enough to protect the ones we love. Please, help these good citizens of japan, yet, I will still respect your decision otherwise.
- your faithful Japanese samurai,
Haruka Nanase
I am a Chinese peasant.
ReplyDeleteDear (Chinese) government,
The weather conditions out here, on this farm land, is beginning to become pretty dangerous. This hot weather makes it really hard to survive through almost 16 hours of labor outside. Now, us peasants usually complain about much, because we're the lowest class. What we complain about probably doesn't even matter to you. However, if you think about it, without us peasants the economy wouldn't be as successful as it is now. We plant seeds and farm all day. It's really tiring, but we have no choice, it's what we live for. However, I believe if you allow us to use technology to help us plant and farm, it would benefit us and you. We would be working in better conditions and we will also be able to produce more products for you, faster. By allowing us to use technology in agriculture, it'll be beneficial to everyone.
Sincerely,
Chinese Peasant
(Brazilian Creole)
ReplyDeleteDear Government Official,
I firmly believe that it would be in our best interest to provide Industrialization in our country. Slaves are great at getting our work done and all, but with Industrialization we will never need to worry about having to feed, clothe and provide a home for the machines. It works in our interests because now no one needs to do the dirty work, and it would be easier to not reach all the way out to Africa to find slaves that get tired too easily. This helps us to create clothing, food, textile, tobacco and beverages in the easiest manner, rather than focusing mostly on agriculture that can be damaged much quicker than any machine, based on weather, less man power etc. Although in the past this has failed because of the Portuguese harsh policies in mercantilism & not having enough faith in us and just looking at us as the weak nation that just provides them with agriculture, we finally have another chance where we can prove them wrong. This gives us way too long of a list of opportunities that will come our way if we side with this decision. More sugar, more money, and free labor, its the best we can ask for in this situation. Please take this into consideration. I am for one not the only Brazilian creole who believes this would be the best option.
Sincerely,
Juan Ricardo
-(Actually Brenda Montero)
Dear Official,
ReplyDeleteYour Chinese Peasant here. I work hard everyday for a little pay, (<--- That rhymes LOL) and i believe as your duties of the government you should hear me out. I believe we should become industrialized and buy more technology to help do the farm work so that people like me wouldn't have to do all the work. What you guys are paying me would be more beneficial paying for a machine to help do some of the work. In regarding this technology i believe that it will help us in the long run with our economy and better yet our lifestyle. Nobody would be in danger of working in horrible heat and it would benefit us in making more money 1. it would get things done way faster and 2. we would be making a bugger profit.
PS Please take this into consideration, i'm pretty sure you'll agree to it!
-Nicole Albino
Dear Chinese Official,
ReplyDeleteI know I am just a peasant and shouldn't be bothering your busy self but here me out. I believe that becoming industrialized will even further increase our superiority over other nations and we would be able to produce even more products for the rest of the world. With our huge labor force we will be able to dominate the market even further with the use of technology. This would also make laborers happy and less likely to revolt against you because we wouldn't need to do as much work and we would be very grateful for that. We would multiply the rate of this technology so please consider it
From a fairly ordinary peasant
Dear government official,
ReplyDeleteI am a Japanese Samurai who believes we need to stop worrying about building our military strength and start getting involved with getting profit. Industrializing is definitely the way to go about this. I mean look at the improvement Europe and the Americas have made just from the mechanization process. Being involved with others and producing our own products will give us the upper hand on Europe. We need to make sure that the treaties stay fair so we can benefit more. As long as we sell more than we buy we will be doing supply and demand correctly. I am tired of being isolated from the world and we need to start expanding our horizons. Industrialization will lead us to be prosperous economically and socially.
Dear Government Leader,
ReplyDeleteIt's a mere Chinese peasant here, you've probably never heard of me because theirs so many of us, and you just simply aren't interested in learning or befirending with your labor forces but I write to you with much hope. I've recently overherad about a machinery that Europe has invented from one of Europeans merchants that had been visiting us, and it sounds uncanny yet the evidence stands. The Europeans have began industrilizing and has started using Machines rather than people! They're getting the job done much faster than 100 of our men will ever be able to do! I hear from the merchants that China isn't the leading power in the world anymore, to make your lives greater and ours, we should adopt the idea of industrialization. Our neighbors in Japan have even adopted this idea, and they've also began trading with the americas, we should try adopting the idea before we're taken over by a country of great superiority.
Sincerely, a hard worker
(Japanese Samurai)
ReplyDeleteDear government official,
The world is advancing, we have to start to industrialize to advance as well. I think we should trade to the US. Japan has been isolated for years, but that was to protect us yet it doesn’t seem like that’s working. We have to open up and work with others. The man Commodore Perry wanted us to agree to a treaty he had and soon after that we can become a greater. We should also make our military stronger but to do all this we had to industrialize; I hope you realize that this will help us move forward.
Dear Official,
ReplyDeleteWhile the great country of Japan has been successful by practicing isolationism, I think it is now time to trade and industrialize more. Our only connection to the outside world was the Dutch however, we forced them to not spread their beliefs and influence to our people. After our encounter with the Americans, we are simply outmatched with their advances in technology and weaponry. The only way to survive and thrive in this day and age is to adapt. We must emulate other successful countries such as Mughal India, the United States, China and Britain if we have any chance of retaining peace and prosperity to our splendid country.
Regards,
Japanese Samurai (Jordan Fickling)
To the Japanese Samuri
DeleteThe following letter suggest that Japan puts in an end to the practice of isolationism, however as you said yourself our practice of isolationism has been most successful. I do assure you this has been on the minds of other officials and myself. I can’t make any promises so for now let stick to the way things are and see with time what course are nation shall take.
Sincerely,
Local authority in Osaka(Jasmine)
To the Government Officials of China
ReplyDeleteI recommend that you do open trade with the world and become more industrialized. As a Chinese peasant working in the fields; mostly harvesting rice and occasionally vegetables. The surplus is too great even with peasants like myself who put every back bone into our work. I'm not lazy but we all are aware that for sure by opening connections and being more open to industrialization more crops can be harvest which equals more money. Moreover being more industrialized
could make China the most advance society in the world. Our exams our so rigorous and our people prove to be the smartest. Put them to the test in creating machines that peasants could easily use for the greater good of the nation.
Sincerely,
Sir. Chen
Dear government,
ReplyDeleteI was born here in Brazil, and have the ancestry of your kingdom. With all due respect, I say things here such as slavery needs to improve. We should move in the direction of industrialization and move forth in becoming a strong and high tech kingdom. With machines and new gadgets we can supply more crops and goods. It will lead to better trade and a growth in the economy. We can become more powerful and benefit more with machines than how we have been doing it. Progress and industrialization is the key to success. Don't you wish for success and achievement? A better tomorrow for your people and your kingdom? The only way to to do this is to industrialize! Let's begin our new generation of a better life and a better kingdom.
Sincerely,
Henry Wardsworth de Paz
1) Choose one of the following viewpoints. Pretending you are that person, write a letter to one of your government officials trying to convince them that your country should industrialize. Use specific evidence from your text and notes to convince the government leader.
ReplyDeleteJapanese Samurai
My lord,
Earlier today an envoy of outsiders came to the daimyo seeking permission to trade within our walls. They brought examples of technological marvel, much of which we had never seen before in our lives, or even heard tales of from the Chinese. One particular 'steam engine' can reputedly power ships, and do all sorts of wonders that could assist our manufacturers. Which, speaking of which, do not produce enough to even satisfy ourselves. We must open up to the West if we are to survive the oncoming years as Japanese men, and not subjugated peoples under the might of gunpowder and steam. Trade with the Americans. Let them have their way, if only to protect us from the might of their warships, we will finally catch up with the rest of the world around us. We can no longer ignore the barbarians, as they are actually exceeding what we are capable of, and will easily crush us if we do not appease them and gain time to build strength.
Dear Samurai,
DeleteListen, I understand where you're coming from, but please think for a second. What happened the last new hip thing to come to Japan was let in? That's right, it almost divided us as a country. So please, think for a second and understand why I don't want this new technology in, it will only bring more harm than good.
Mughal (Indian) soldier
ReplyDeleteOk you “Government leader”, check this. I’ve been fighting for you for some time now and guess what. WE ARE TOO DANG FAR BEHIND IN OUR MILITARY TECHNOLOGY!. You might as well be giving me an even worse designed uniform than we have now and hoping the enemies go blind from the horrid sight. I mean Shiite. You got them British coming our way and they aren’t gonna be trading goods. These European fools are manufacturing more good than us due to their new machinery and you still got granny’s knitting a coin purse for their grandson’s. This is all I’m saying, if you want this hunk of a warrior on your battlefield, get some new machinery AND MAKE ME SOME HIGH TECH GEAR TO FIGHT THOSE ENEMIES!
I bid you adieu my good sir (that’s espana, or portugese. I don’t know, I’m Indian) Good day sir.
this is Zach
DeleteWell maybe IF YOU WEREN'T TOO BUSY LOSING THE BATTLES, MAYBE WE WOULD HAVE INDUSTRIALIZED A LONG TIME AGO! Seriously soldier we are so old no one even knows who we are anymore you know why? because we don't make an impact on anyone else, if we showed that we wanted to expand and take over other countries we should have showed that without new weapons. I would only AGREE WITH THIS SOLDIER IF U WOULD PROVE YOURSELF AND THE COUNTRY IN BATTLE THIS WAY WE CAN CONSIDER I MEAN SERIOUSLY!!!
Deletefrom Dorian Gray
(Christopher Petronella)
Dear Government,
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Shing tsu from Japan, my wish is for our world to industrialize, we need industrialization to survive, even the Americans are trying to industrialize by making railroads to transport, don't forget they already have a steam engine. Listen I don't even have a sword anymore our government isn't even allowing me to even carry my shiny blade anymore and you expect us to protect without it?
Listen I understand we are trying to isolate ourselves from the outer evils among us, but can't we at least have ourselves a improving industrialized country? We need to support ourselves to make us by ourselves successful and the only way to do that is by making us industrialize,
Please government officials, if you have a heart you would understand and give us the right to industrialize our isolated nation we wouldn't be able to survive without the help of others if we don't industrialize
from Shing Tzu
(Christopher Petronella)
Dear government official,
ReplyDeleteI believe that industrialization in our country would be very useful. For starters, we don't have to reach all the way to Africa and pay to have salves work for our agriculture; or pay for their clothes and food. The machines do all the work and are less expensive and productive, Machines cannot get lazy. Slaves are good in the sense that we can use them to do all our work but they tire out. These machines could even help create textiles, tobacco, clothing and especially food!; rather than just focusing on agriculture we can provide many other products that way the Portuguese don't need to look at as as the nation that is useless but only useful in the sense that we provide them with agriculture. Many Brazilian Creoles just like myself believe this would be the most logical option. It helps support us in numerous ways and in fact would give us more money, more goods; such as food and clothes; and much less labor since the machines do most of the work for us. This is one of the best options that have come our way, we must accept this opportunity. Please take this into account and hopefully you the government officials can take this into consideration for the better of everyone.
Sincerely,
Pablo Fernandez - Brazilian Creole.