NAME: So, Sean Andrew L.
Fill in the spaces with your answer corresponding to the time period/event specified:
(2 points each box for a total of 8 points)
Situation of Japan at that time
Meiji Restoration
During the Meiji Restoration, it
marked a significant shift in
Japanese history from a feudal
society to a modern, industrialized
state. This period was driven by a
unified effort to keep up with
Western powers, which influenced
Japan. This period laid the
groundwork for Japan's rise as a
strong military and economic force
in the 20th century. The reforms
implemented during this time
influenced Japan's future
development in the coming years.
Japan managed to hold onto its
independence and even grow into
its own colonial power.
End of the 2nd
World War At the end of world war 2, Japan
was reduced to rubble. With the
exception of Tokyo, the majority
of the nation's major cities, its
transportation systems, and its
industries were severely damaged.
Food was severely and persistently
lacking for several years. The
United States was crucial in
transforming Japan into a land from large landlords to tenant
democratic, peaceful, and
prosperous country. With
significant political, economic, and
social reforms, Japan was able to
Give one activity that Japan
implemented for Development
As mentioned in the left box, it
became a shift for Japan as they
embraced modernization and reform,
Japan emerged as a strong,
independent, and modern nation,
capable of competing on the global
stage and shaping its destiny. The
Meiji leaders built a public
education system and also Japan's
rapid industrialization was a
cornerstone of the Meiji Restoration.
The government played an active
role in promoting industrial growth
and investing in infrastructure.
The land reform that Japan
implemented at the end of the
Second World War was a crucial
development that significantly
contributed to the nation's recovery
and growth. The reform aimed to
promote economic equity, increase
agricultural productivity, and foster
social stability by redistributing
farmers. This transformation helped
alleviate rural poverty and laid the
groundwork for Japan's rapid
industrialization and economic
 successfully transition from a state expansion in the subsequent decades.
devastated by war to a prosperous
post-war economy. This time
frame laid the groundwork for
Japan's incredible economic
expansion and recovery in the
years that followed.

Categorize the following statements as Techno-Determinism, Structural Functionalism or Historical

Materialism. Explain your answer. (4 points each for a total of 12 points)

1) The government shifted from a rice tax to a land tax in an effort to have more stable income for the
government which helped build infrastructure.

Going from a rice tax to a land tax is a progressive and thoughtful shift that adheres to
structural functionalism's tenets. According to this view, societies aim to achieve harmony and
balance. A more consistent government revenue can be attained by tax structure adjustments,
bringing society one step closer to this ideal condition.

2) During the first world war, Japan delved into the war economy, manufacturing steel and building
machines, forcing the population to produce and supply the war industry to grow its economy.

During the First World War, the country took advantage of the war economy to make
significant changes. This statement highlights how the country's decisions during the conflict,
particularly in the areas of science and technology, contributed directly to its economic growth.
Historical Materialism theory suggests that historical events play a key role in shaping a
nation's development. It argues that conflicts between different social forces drive the historical
development of society. For example, when the Americans arrived in Japan, the country was
forced to open its borders, which supports this theory. This event ultimately led to the adoption
of new economic strategies and marked the beginning of a new era."

3) As the Americans came in with their boats, Japan had no choice but to open their borders, thereby
forcing the country to change and adapt new strategies for development.

Historical Materialism encompasses the idea that historical events shape a nation's
development. According to the theory, conflicts between different social forces drive the
historical development of society. For instance, Japan was compelled to open its borders when
the Americans arrived with their boats, providing evidence for this theory. Ultimately, this led to
the adoption of new strategies for economic expansion and ushered in a new era.
Essay (5 points):

How did Singapore change the situation of its labor force? (CLUE: It involves the workers’ living
conditions). Explain how it positively affected the situation? Discuss it using a Techno-determinist
approach.

In the 1960s, Singapore faced numerous labor strikes, high unemployment, and a housing
crisis, with one of the worst slums in the world located there. Despite being the smallest country
in Southeast Asia, it achieved a remarkably high standard of living, making it one of the most
prominent locations in the region. The government responded to the housing crisis by building
affordable public housing, but only 9% of the population lived in these housing developments
during that decade. As the government implemented additional worker rights, labor strikes
decreased in frequency. Furthermore, the government used tax breaks to attract foreign
investment, which contributed to economic growth and a reduction in unemployment from
14.0% in 1959 to 4.5% in the 1970s.