BEFORE YOU WATCH: Samurai, Daimyo, Matthew Perry, and Nationalism

Use the “Three Close Reads” approach as you watch the video below.

Use the “Three Close Reads” approach as you watch the video below (next in the lineup!). If you want to learn more about this strategy, click here.

First read: preview and skimming for gist

Before you watch, you should skim the transcript first. The skim should be very quick and give you the gist (general idea) of what the video is about. You should be looking at the title, thumbnails, pictures, and first few seconds of the video for the gist.

Second read: key ideas and understanding content

Now that you’ve skimmed the video transcript and taken a quick peek at the video, you should preview the questions you will be answering. These questions will help you get a better understanding of the concepts and arguments that are presented in the video. Keep in mind that when you watch the video, it is a good idea to write down any vocab you read or hear that is unfamiliar to you.

By the end of the second close read, you should be able to answer the following questions:

What is a nation-state?
What are three different theories about how nations are formed?
What are some process involved in making a nation?
What is one way in which the rise of nationalism affected empires?
What was Japanese government like before and the arrival of the Americans? What role did Americans like Matthew Perry play in that transformation?
What features made the Japanese government a modern nation-state? What were some things the Japanese did to build this nation-state?
How can the rise of nation-states sometimes lead to conflict? Give an example from the Japanese context.

Third read: evaluating and corroborating

Finally, here are some questions that will help you focus on why this video matters and how it connects to other content you’ve studied.

At the end of the third read, you should be able to respond to these questions:

What features do all nation-states seem to share in common? Why do you think these features are so central to the nation-state?
Do you agree with the author’s argument that nation-states tend to cause conflict with other groups or prevent others from becoming nation-states? Support your answer using evidence from other sources in this unit.

Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to watch! Remember to return to these questions once you’ve finished watching.

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