Edexcel IGCSE History: Japan in Transformation, 1853–1945 — Practice Questions

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, for revision and practice on this content. They are not reproduced past-paper questions, and they do not replicate the exam’s exact structure, question count or mark tariffs — examination boards hold copyright in their own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers available free from your board.

Related: B3 revision notes | B3 study guide

These questions practise the three Breadth Study question types of Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History 4HI1 Paper 2, Section B — two differences (6), two causes (8) and a 16-mark change-over-time essay — across the five key topics and themes of “Japan in transformation, 1853–1945”.

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Set 1

1(a) Explain two ways in which the government of Japan in 1860 was different from the government of Japan in 1890. [6]

1(b) Explain two causes of the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate. [8]

1(c) “Victory in war was the main reason Japan became a world power in the years 1868–1919.” How far do you agree? [16]

You may use the following in your answer:

• the Russo-Japanese War (1904–05)
• the industrial revolution of the Meiji period

You must also use information of your own.

Set 2

2(a) Explain two ways in which life in Japanese cities in the 1920s was different from life in Japanese cities in the 1870s. [6]

2(b) Explain two causes of the return to military rule in Japan in the 1930s. [8]

2(c) “The Depression was the main reason for the decline of democracy in Japan in the years 1919–41.” How far do you agree? [16]

You may use the following in your answer:

• the Public Security Preservation Law (1925)
• Manchukuo and the League of Nations

You must also use information of your own.

Set 3 — extra practice

3(a) Explain two ways in which Japan’s relations with China in 1890 were different from its relations with China in 1937. [6]

3(b) Explain two causes of the breakup of the Restoration coalition in 1873. [8]

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Answers and mark guidance

1(a) [6]

• Who ruled: in 1860 the Tokugawa shogun governed in the emperor’s name through feudal domains; in 1890 the emperor was sovereign under the Meiji Constitution, with ministers drawn from the Satsuma and Choshu oligarchy.
• Representation: in 1860 there was no parliament; in 1890 the first elected Diet met, though only a small number of wealthy men could vote.

1(b) [8]

• Humiliation by the West: Perry’s arrival and the unequal treaties showed the shogunate could not defend Japan, angering samurai who turned to “revere the emperor, expel the barbarians”.
• The rise of Choshu and Satsuma: these domains modernised their forces after clashes with Western navies and allied in 1866, giving opponents of the shogunate the military strength to force change.

1(c) [16]

War: victory over China (1894–95) brought Taiwan and prestige; the Boxer intervention (1900); defeat of Russia (1904–05) made Japan the first Asian state to beat a European power; Korea (1910); German possessions gained in 1914–19 and kept at Versailles. Other factors: Meiji reforms — conscription, the land tax, the Constitution; industrialisation through the zaibatsu, steel and shipbuilding, which made the victories possible; diplomacy, especially the Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1902); Western knowledge brought by missions such as Iwakura’s. Judgement: war demonstrated Japan’s power, but modernisation created it. Top answers range across 1868–1919.

2(a) [6]

• Culture: in the 1870s Western fashions were new and limited to a few; by the 1920s cinemas, cafés, department stores and the “modern girl” were common in Tokyo and Osaka.
• Work and politics: by the 1920s many city dwellers were factory or office workers, unions were active and men could vote from 1925; in the 1870s samurai had only just lost their privileges and there was no parliament.

2(b) [8]

• Economic crisis: the Depression ruined farmers and silk producers, and people blamed party politicians linked to the zaibatsu.
• Military success and violence: the conquest of Manchuria (1931–32) was popular, and assassinations such as Inukai’s (1932) and the February 1936 coup attempt intimidated civilian leaders.

2(c) [16]

Depression: collapse of silk and rice prices, rural poverty, distrust of parties and business, support for military expansion as an answer to economic problems. Other factors: limits of Taisho Democracy — the emperor’s sovereignty and the army’s independence under the Constitution; the Public Security Preservation Law (1925) used against the left; Tenko; the Kanto Earthquake and 1920s recession; nationalism and the success of Manchukuo; anger at Western racism at Versailles and at League condemnation in 1933; Konoe’s New Order and the National Mobilisation Law (1938). Judgement: the Depression was the trigger, but weaknesses in the political system existed earlier.

3(a) [6]

• In 1890 Japan was a smaller power that had not yet fought China; by 1937 it controlled Taiwan and Manchukuo and was at full-scale war with China.
• In 1890 China was still the leading power in Korea; by 1937 Japan had annexed Korea (1910).

3(b) [8]

• The Korea debate: Saigo Takamori and others wanted to force Korea to open; leaders returning from the Iwakura Mission insisted domestic reform came first, so Saigo resigned.
• Samurai discontent: the loss of samurai privileges and the new conscript army angered many former samurai, whose leaders split from the government and later rebelled in 1877.

Where marks are usually lost

• In (a), describing only one of the two dates.
• In (b), describing events without saying how they caused the outcome.
• In (c), writing about one decade instead of the whole span of the question.

Source: question patterns modelled on the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History (4HI1) specification, Issue 5, February 2026, Paper 2, Section B.

Frequently asked questions

How is the Paper 2 breadth study question structured? Part (a) asks you to explain two ways something was different at two dates (6 marks), part (b) to explain two causes (8 marks) and part (c) is a 16-mark essay on change, continuity or significance across the period.

How did Japan’s government change between 1860 and 1890? In 1860 the Tokugawa shogun governed in the emperor’s name through feudal domains; by 1890 the emperor was sovereign under the Meiji Constitution, with an elected Diet.

What loses marks in part (c)? Writing about one decade instead of tracing change and continuity across the whole period.

Are these real Edexcel past-paper questions? No. They are original questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History 4HI1; use them alongside the official past papers and mark schemes.