History is comprised of alliances and oppositions, both of which can be achieved only through interactions amongst other empires, kingdoms, or other geographical areas. However, there is much more relevance to global interactions than simply that. Global interactions are the prime source of cultural diffusion, or the spread of ideas, beliefs, and cultural activities from one group of people to another. This often leads to adaptations of new traditions, religions, languages and many other practices. Although very common in the 21st century, global interactions were very infrequent and uncommon in the past, either due to the geographical proximity or fear of the unknown. But regardless of that fact, many of the most instrumental interactions
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By the 1500s, Japanese ports were open to many Christian traders, like the Dutch, French, and Portuguese. That marked the spread of Christianity along the Japanese islands. Once more, cultural diffusion took place, and the Christian traders spread their own beliefs onto their Japanese comrades. However, this new religion created ripples in the strict lifestyle of the Japanese. The various exposure to the various belief systems and traditions caused certain Japanese to convert their Buddhist beliefs into Christian ones. Only in 1587 was Toyotomi Hideyoshi able to unify Japan, with the help of the Tokugawa Shogunate. One of the edicts of Hideyoshi stated, “The [missionaries] approach people in provinces and districts to make their followers, and let them destroy shrines and temples. This is unheard of outrage…” (Document 2 | Source: Excerpts from Expulsion of Missionaries, 1587) As shown, through their spread of Christianity, Christian missionaries, or promoters of the religion, also spread very anti-Buddhist views, that included the demolition of traditional Japanese Buddhist temples. This caused chaos to commence between the people, not only did this hurt the cultural and architectural aspects of Japan, but many were unhappy with the destruction of their religious temples, and urged the government to act upon it. “In doing so they [Christian priests] commit the illegal act of destroying the teachings of Buddha prevailing in Japan. These padres cannot be permitted to remain in Japan. They must prepare to leave the country within twenty days of the issuance of this notice.” (Document 2 | Source: Excerpts from Expulsion of Missionaries, 1587) At that point, Hideyoshi had no choice but to prohibit the spread of Christianity through reduced trade. Japan was going back into the isolation it had previously overcome, only keeping trading ties with the Dutch. This did not only
By the 1500s, Japanese ports were open to many Christian traders, like the Dutch, French, and Portuguese. That marked the spread of Christianity along the Japanese islands. Once more, cultural diffusion took place, and the Christian traders spread their own beliefs onto their Japanese comrades. However, this new religion created ripples in the strict lifestyle of the Japanese. The various exposure to the various belief systems and traditions caused certain Japanese to convert their Buddhist beliefs into Christian ones. Only in 1587 was Toyotomi Hideyoshi able to unify Japan, with the help of the Tokugawa Shogunate. One of the edicts of Hideyoshi stated, “The [missionaries] approach people in provinces and districts to make their followers, and let them destroy shrines and temples. This is unheard of outrage…” (Document 2 | Source: Excerpts from Expulsion of Missionaries, 1587) As shown, through their spread of Christianity, Christian missionaries, or promoters of the religion, also spread very anti-Buddhist views, that included the demolition of traditional Japanese Buddhist temples. This caused chaos to commence between the people, not only did this hurt the cultural and architectural aspects of Japan, but many were unhappy with the destruction of their religious temples, and urged the government to act upon it. “In doing so they [Christian priests] commit the illegal act of destroying the teachings of Buddha prevailing in Japan. These padres cannot be permitted to remain in Japan. They must prepare to leave the country within twenty days of the issuance of this notice.” (Document 2 | Source: Excerpts from Expulsion of Missionaries, 1587) At that point, Hideyoshi had no choice but to prohibit the spread of Christianity through reduced trade. Japan was going back into the isolation it had previously overcome, only keeping trading ties with the Dutch. This did not only