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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Empire of Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
An in-depth article on the history of the Japanese Empire between 1868 and 1947.
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Website
BBC

Bbc: News: Country Profile: Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
The BBC provides a general overview of the country of Japan. Content includes a focus on Japan's recent history, leaders and media. There is also a timeline of key events in Japanese history.
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Primary
Other

About Japan: A Teacher's Resource

For Students 9th - 10th
You will find a lot of good materials about Japan of particular relevance to the classrooms. It includes themes, essays and lessons which are intended to provide both the contextual information and actionable activities required to be of...
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Website
Brown University

Brown University Library Center: Perry Visits Japan: A Visual History

For Students 9th - 10th
Showcases a beautiful Japanese scroll that depicts Commodore Matthew Perry's landing in Japan in 1854 and a set of lithographs by Willam Heine that illustrate Perry's expedition. These visual images accompanied by student essays are...
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Decision to Drop the Bomb [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
The day before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt gave the go-ahead to scientists to develop an atomic bomb. This site gives a good overview of the war in the Pacific against Japan, the increasing successes of the...
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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service

For Students 9th - 10th
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
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Article
Curated OER

History Matters: Japan Responds to Japanese Exclusion

For Students 9th - 10th
An editorial from the Japan Times and Mail denounced the the U.S. Senate's inclusion of the National Origins Act within the Immigration Act of 1924 that limited the immigration of Japanese to the United States. Read the background of the...
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Website
Other

Kanzaki: History of Japan's Literature

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource traces the changes in Japanese literature from its beginnings in the Nara period through the present.
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Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Japan and the Black Ships: The Meiji Restoration

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains how Japan isolated itself from contact with Europe and America for two hundred years. This ended when it agreed to sign a treaty of friendship with America that was brought to Tokyo in 1853 by Commodore Matthew Perry and his...
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Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Japanese Politics and Society

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Presenting an overview of the history of Japan explore the optional enhancements provided by MIT.
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Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Japanese Politics and Society

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Presenting an overview of the history of Japan explore the optional enhancements provided by MIT.
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Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the culture of Japan. Gives basic information on topics such as geography, ethnic makeup, languages, symbolism, economy, food, customs, social stratification, family life, education, religion, politics, etc....
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Website
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Web Japan: History

For Students 3rd - 8th
Check out this chart detailing the major historic events in Japan from its Stone Age beginnings to 2005. There is a column on the chart that shows major world events also for comparison.
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Website
Other

Japan National Tourism: Japanese Shinto Shrines

For Students 3rd - 8th
Japan's indigenous religion is known as Shinto. Here is a brief look at it with hand drawn illustrations of the shrines, costumes, and masks accompanying the text.
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Stanford History Education Group: Invasion of Nanking

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Observe the difference in perception, or how cautious a nation can be, in delivering historical events that may place a nation in a negative light. With a free registration, gain access to a lesson plan...
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Japan Memoirs of a Secret Empire

For Students 9th - 10th
A rich site that tells of an ancient kingdom of warriors, tradesmen and artists that would influence the modern world.
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Primary
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
In-depth analysis of the decision to create and drop the atomic bomb on Japan during World War II. Includes details on the Interim Committee.
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Handout
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Online Exhibition: The Manhattan Project

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Documents by Manhattan Project scientists expressing their concern about nuclear weapons after the bombings in Japan.
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Website
Nations Online Project

Nations Online: Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides a country profile and comprehensive travel guide to Japan, background details, and numerous links to key information on the nation's culture, history, geography, economy, environment, population, news, tourism, government, and...
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Article
Other

Japan guide.com: Militarism and World War Ii

For Students 9th - 10th
Outlines Japanese history from 1915-1945. There are also many links to other information about Japan.
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Website
Globe Tracks

Travel for Kids: Fun Things to Do in Japan

For Students 3rd - 5th
"Kids already know a little about Japan if they collect Pokemon cards or buy Hello Kitty. Japan may seem very "modern," but it has a long history of tradition deeply embedded in everyday life." This site explores the geography and...
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Japan Introduction to Japan

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text with introductory information about Japan. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
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Article
A&E Television

History.com: Tojo Hideki

For Students 9th - 10th
Serving as Japan's army minister and then later as prime minister, General Tojo Hideki policies and administration are discussed here.
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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Us History: 1890 1945: The Manhattan Project and the Atomic Bomb

For Students 9th - 10th
In 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, ending World War II.

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