Job Discussion Forums

[JimDunlop2]

Here is my question for the week. I've been asked (today) to assist in social studies classes (tomorrow) where the students are studying Japanese history. The scoop is this: The social studies teacher wants me to play the part of Admiral Perry as he arrived in Japan, and he will play the part of the Japanese diplomat who received him.... We will discuss relations between the two countries as well as Perry's requests for food and water for his troops... (That is what I've been told).... And the students, at the end of the re-enactment will get to decide whether Japan should accept Perry's requests (demands) or not -- (the consequence of not accepting them, of course, may lead to war).

Unfortunately, my knowledge of this part of Japanese history is superficial at best, and I'm not exactly sure how I should prepare myself... Does anyone have any decent online resources that I could read up on between today and tomorrow? After I get my hands on something I may have more questions, but for now, my main ones are: what would be some good information to come in prepared with? and does anyone have any advice or tips in how I might approach this?

JD

[ripslyme]

here's a good place to start with, it's a brief overview of Japanese-US relations. Check the part about Commodore Matthew Perry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan-United_States_relations