WotW Chapter 14: Europeans and Asian Commerce (602-611)

Summary

The video explores Japan's encounter with European traders in the mid-sixteenth century amidst internal conflicts among feudal lords. Initially welcoming due to their technological advantages and commercial opportunities, Japan shifted to isolation under the Tokugawa shogunate by the early seventeenth century, expelling missionaries and limiting foreign trade. Despite Japan's withdrawal, Asian trade networks thrived, with Chinese, Indian, and Southeast Asian merchants maintaining significant roles in commerce. The economic landscape showcased the influence of family firms like Virji Vora's, who dictated terms to Europeans, highlighting the complexities of trade dynamics during this transformative era.

Takeaways

• 😀 European traders initially found a welcoming environment in Japan due to its fragmented feudal conflicts.
• 📈 The mid-16th century saw a significant Christian movement in Japan, with around 300,000 converts.
• ⚔️ The Tokugawa shogunate unified Japan, viewing European influence as a threat to national unity.
• 🚫 The shogunate expelled Christian missionaries and suppressed Christianity violently.
• 🌏 Japan closed itself off from most European trade, allowing only the Dutch limited access.
• 💰 Japanese traders in Southeast Asia operated aggressively but lacked government support.
• 🔗 Asian merchants continued to thrive in international trade despite European naval dominance.
• 👩‍👧 Southeast Asian women played a vital role in maintaining trade networks.
• 📊 Prominent Indian merchants, such as Virji Vora, exerted significant control over trade and dictated prices to Europeans.
• 💸 Europeans often relied on Indian merchants for loans, facing high interest rates due to their dependence.

Q & A

What was Japan's political situation during the arrival of European traders in the mid-sixteenth century?

Japan was experiencing endemic conflict among numerous feudal lords known as daimyo, each with their own samurai warriors.

How did European traders find opportunities in Japan during the sixteenth century?

European traders found a hospitable welcome in Japan due to their military technology, shipbuilding skills, geographic knowledge, and attractive commercial opportunities.

What was the impact of European missionaries in Japan during the late sixteenth century?

A significant Christian movement developed, with around 300,000 converts and a Japanese-led church organization established.

What led to the Tokugawa shogunate's shift in attitude towards Europeans?

After unifying Japan politically and ending the civil wars, the shoguns viewed Europeans as a threat to the country's newfound unity.

What measures did the Tokugawa shogunate take against Christianity and European presence?

The shogunate expelled Christian missionaries, suppressed the practice of Christianity, executed missionaries and Japanese converts, and forbade Japanese from traveling abroad.

Why were the Dutch permitted to trade in Japan during this period?

The Dutch were allowed to trade because they showed less interest in spreading Christianity compared to other European nations.

How did Japanese merchants behave in Southeast Asia during the Tokugawa period?

Japanese traders operated in Southeast Asia, often using force to support their commercial interests, but without support from the Tokugawa government.

What was the Tokugawa shogunate's stance on Japanese merchants causing trouble abroad?

The shogunate disavowed responsibility for Japanese merchants’ actions in Southeast Asia and urged local rulers to punish them for their crimes.

How did Asian merchants respond to European naval dominance in the Indian Ocean?

Asian merchants, including Arabs, Indians, Chinese, and Malays, continued to thrive in international trade despite European dominance, maintaining robust commercial networks.

What role did family firms play in India's trade during the seventeenth century?

Wealthy family firms in India, like that of Virji Vora, monopolized the buying and selling of products, significantly influencing trade terms and providing loans to cash-strapped Europeans.