1. Imagine that you are an adviser to either China's emperor or Japan's shogun. Write a letter advising the ruler whether you support a policy of isolation or engagement. Explain your reasons for supporting that policy. Your letter should be three paragraphs and each paragraph should discuss one reason for supporting or opposing isolation.

ALL the Chinese emperors opted for, if not isolation, then at least nonmodernization - Chines engagement with the West during the imperial period only happened when the Chinese were forced into it.

Same with the Shogun - who lost power, the position being abolished due to modernization.

So, the only thing the emperor wants to hear is isolation, as they like things the way they are, and anyway Japanese and Chinese rulers regarded foreigners, and in particular Westerners, as barbarians who couldn't possibly have anything positive to offer them other than tribute.

The only reason either of them engaged with the West is because they were forced to through threats (or actual use of) violence by Western powers.