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Ch.03.01 Rule of the Shogun
Rule of the Shogun
1420-1486
In its first years rule from Japan differed little from the previous governance of the settlements in Alyska. With no major population centers, or infrastructure, the ability of the Shogun to enforce their control in Alyska was limited.
This began to change as more and more settlers from Japan began to arrive in the region. Part of a deliberate effort by the government in Kyoto to civilize the region and establish a proper society in the region. Previously most settlements revolved around the whaling and fishing fleets, but increasingly farmers began to settle in the region. Enticed their by promises of good farm land, no harsh taxes, and greater opportunities.
Although no census was taken in Alyska until the seventeenth century it is estimated that the population of Japanese Alyska in 1425 stood at well under one hundred thousand, likely only sixty to seventy thousand. However by the end of the century this figure had exploded to perhaps as many as half a million, with evidence of widespread settlement and urban development taking place in many cities. A testament to the effectiveness of Ashikaga efforts to settle and civilize the area.
With these new settlers came the end of the frontier atmosphere which had previously governed Alyska. The rule of law replaced the rule of the strong, taxes and levies were raised, and a local nobility was allowed to develop to govern the region, rather than whoever commanded the largest mob ruling as had been done previously.
Ashikaga rule brought a new and more settled period to Alyska, replacing the violence and chaos which had characterized its early settlement. With farming and other pursuits replacing fishing and whaling as the primary means of the economy as the century drew onwards.
1420-1486
In its first years rule from Japan differed little from the previous governance of the settlements in Alyska. With no major population centers, or infrastructure, the ability of the Shogun to enforce their control in Alyska was limited.
This began to change as more and more settlers from Japan began to arrive in the region. Part of a deliberate effort by the government in Kyoto to civilize the region and establish a proper society in the region. Previously most settlements revolved around the whaling and fishing fleets, but increasingly farmers began to settle in the region. Enticed their by promises of good farm land, no harsh taxes, and greater opportunities.
Although no census was taken in Alyska until the seventeenth century it is estimated that the population of Japanese Alyska in 1425 stood at well under one hundred thousand, likely only sixty to seventy thousand. However by the end of the century this figure had exploded to perhaps as many as half a million, with evidence of widespread settlement and urban development taking place in many cities. A testament to the effectiveness of Ashikaga efforts to settle and civilize the area.
With these new settlers came the end of the frontier atmosphere which had previously governed Alyska. The rule of law replaced the rule of the strong, taxes and levies were raised, and a local nobility was allowed to develop to govern the region, rather than whoever commanded the largest mob ruling as had been done previously.
Ashikaga rule brought a new and more settled period to Alyska, replacing the violence and chaos which had characterized its early settlement. With farming and other pursuits replacing fishing and whaling as the primary means of the economy as the century drew onwards.
- Count of Crisco
- Word Count: 300