Which factor enabled Japan to pursue a policy of isolationism in the seventeenth century?
A. As a series of islands, Japan did not share borders with other countries.
B. Korea and Japan forged an alliance, which deterred interactions with other countries.
C. Monsoons made Japanese seas impassable most of the year.
D. The emperor centralized power, giving him control of trade and military forces.
The correct answer is D. The emperor centralized power, giving him control of trade and military forces. To arrive at this answer, let's break down the options:
A. As a series of islands, Japan did not share borders with other countries.
While it is true that Japan is a series of islands, this factor alone does not explain why Japan pursued a policy of isolationism in the seventeenth century. Many island nations throughout history have engaged in trade and interactions with other countries.
B. Korea and Japan forged an alliance, which deterred interactions with other countries.
There is no historical evidence to suggest that an alliance between Korea and Japan in the seventeenth century deterred interactions with other countries. This option is not a valid factor for Japan's policy of isolationism.
C. Monsoons made Japanese seas impassable most of the year.
Although monsoons may have affected maritime activities, it did not entirely make Japanese seas impassable for most of the year. Therefore, this option is unlikely to be the sole factor enabling Japan's policy of isolationism.
D. The emperor centralized power, giving him control of trade and military forces.
This option is the correct answer. In the seventeenth century, the emperor of Japan successfully centralized power, allowing him to have control over trade and military forces. This centralization of power by the emperor gave him the ability to enforce policies of isolationism, limiting foreign influence and interactions.
To summarize, the factor that enabled Japan to pursue a policy of isolationism in the seventeenth century was the emperor's centralization of power, which granted him control over trade and military forces.