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Course: World History Project AP® > Unit 4
Lesson 3: 4.2—Transoceanic Empires: Empires and Resistance- READ: Survey of Transoceanic Empires, 1450 to 1750
- READ: Yasuke – Graphic Biography
- READ: Overview of New Economic Systems
- READ: European Colonies in the Americas
- READ: Amonute – Graphic Biography
- BEFORE YOU WATCH: The Spanish Empire, Silver, and Runaway Inflation - Crash Course World History #25
- WATCH: The Spanish Empire, Silver, & Runaway Inflation
- READ: Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz – Graphic Biography
- READ: The Transatlantic Slave Trade
- READ: The Disastrous Effects of Increased Global Interactions c. 1500 to c. 1600
- BEFORE YOU WATCH: Impact of the Slave Trade - Through a Ghanaian Lens
- WATCH: Impact of the Slave Trade - Through a Ghanaian Lens
- READ: Domingos Álvares – Graphic Biography
- READ: State Centralization and Resistance
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READ: Yasuke – Graphic Biography
In 1579, an African man arrived in the city of Kyoto, Japan. We know very little about him. He appears in the historical record for less than four years. But in that short time, he became the first foreign-born samurai, befriended the most powerful man in Japan, and fought in the struggle to unify the country.
The Graphic Biography below uses “Three Close Reads”. If you want to learn more about this strategy, click here.
First read: skimming for gist
This will be your quickest read. It should help you get the general idea of what the graphic biography will be about. Pay attention to the title, headings, images, and layout. Ask yourself: what is this graphic biography going to be about?
Second read: understanding content
For this reading, you should be looking for unfamiliar vocabulary words, the major claim and key supporting details, and analysis and evidence. You should also spend some time looking at the images and the way in which the page is designed.
By the end of the second close read, you should be able to answer the following questions:
- Where was Yasuke likely from and how did he get to Japan?
- What was Yasuke’s relationship with Oda Nobunaga?
- What happened to Yasuke after Oda Nobunaga was killed?
- What else do we know about Yasuke?
- How does the artist’s depiction of Yasuke change across the page?
Third read: evaluating and corroborating
In this read, you should use the graphic biography as evidence to support, extend, or challenge claims made in the course.
At the end of the third read, you should be able to respond to these questions:
- Using evidence from this article, explain how maritime exploration by the various European states affected social interactions and organization.
- How does this biography of Yasuke support, extend, or challenge what you have learned about transoceanic connections in this period?
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to read! Remember to return to these questions once you’ve finished reading.
Yasuke (Graphic Biography)
Writer: Bennett Sherry
Artist: Liz Clarke
In 1579, an African man arrived in the city of Kyoto, Japan. We know very little about him. He appears in the historical record for less than four years. But in that short time, he became the first foreign-born samurai, befriended the most powerful man in Japan, and fought in the struggle to unify the country.
Download the Graphic Biography PDF here or click on the image above.