Social And Economic Effects Of Tokugawa Japan

All successful civilizations and societies come from some sort of powerful governing control. During the Tokugawa period, that lasted from 1600-1868 powerful rulers called shoguns stabilized the society (Beck 475). The strict rules and laws of the Tokugawa government impacted and affected every social class and aspect of living in Tokugawa Japan by limiting and controlling the freedom and choices people had. The main goals of the Tokugawa government were to cut off the roots of potential rebellion and to keep the country at peace (Yonemoto).

The Tokugawa period of Japan was a time of peace and advancement for the country that was lead under the shogunate. The Tokugawa shogunate was founded by the first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. Tokugawa Ieyasu

These shogunates built their ideas off a form of political rule that was controlling but not quite dictatorial while incorporating Confucius ideas to control society (Asian Education).

The laws and rules of the Tokugawa government didn't just affect each social class individually but also had a bigger effect on how the people of Tokugawa Japan could live in general. These strict rules placed on Japan and its people were called “The Edict of 1635”. “The Edict of 1635” was a set of Japanese government orders intended to isolate Japan from foreign influences. This edict included rules that not only isolated Japan but also limited the freedom of the people. Two of the biggest rules that isolated Japan was that no ships were allowed to leave Japan for foreign countries, no one was allowed to go aboard;

In general, women were all treated the same and had to follow to same rules, although, there was a few exceptions depending on the social status of the rest of her family (Dunn 55). Many of the rules that affected a woman's life revolved around marriage and who they honored because of it. This was because the main role of a woman was to be a loyal wife and good mother. On example of this was that woman had to practice filial piety to their parents, but once they were married had to honor their mother and father-in-law instead (Hays). Another law that involved a woman's mother and father-in-law was that they were never allowed to refuse the command of them (Hays). These rules affect women in many different ways, but one of the biggest was that it limited the freedom they had by making them follow the command of others. Woman were also not allowed to own their own property (Dunn 46). Finally, one of the most impactful laws placed on women was that they were not allowed to be educated. Although, it was illegal for a woman to be educated there was some exceptions. The daughters of powerful samurai were allowed to be educated, but only instead there homes so that no one could see them (Hays). This law against education for women had one of the biggest effects. Taking away education from women also gave the government a reason to take away many more economical and political rights because of