The Heroes and Zeros of Election 2024

by Harold Hutchison, All News Pipeline: Former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy said Friday that Special Counsel Jack Smith proved the prosecutions of President-elect Donald Trump were intended as political weapons. United States District Judge Tanya Chutkan granted Smith’s request to vacate deadlines in the federal election interference case Friday. McCarthy said Trump’s victory in the Nov. 5 presidential election […]

from SGT Report: Conservative broadcaster and Pickax CEO Jeff Dornik returns to SGT Report to discuss Trump derangement syndrome and President Donald J. Trump’s amazing MAGA agenda which includes waging war against the Mexican drug cartels and much, much more — and it’s all driving the 100% totally brainwashed lib-tards certifiably insane. Get the FREE […]

  IRA stands for Irish Republican Army. The term that best sums up the history of the IRA, the undisputed protagonist of recent Irish history, is “breakaways.” After the several splits the IRA has undergone since 1919, the term doesn’t designate a single group anymore but refers to the various paramilitary groups that have pursued nationalist (and republican) goals through armed struggle in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the 20th century. Tracing the history of the Irish Republican Army, from the “old IRA” to the Provos and the New IRA, is equivalent to tracing the history of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.   The “Old IRA” (1919-1922)  The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street (later O’Connell Street), Dublin in the aftermath of the 1916 Rising. Source: Wikimedia Commons   The history of the IRA is closely tied to the Partition of 1921, that is, the division of the island of Ireland into two separate entities: the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland, also known as the Six Counties, comprises six counties, four of which (Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry, and Armagh) share a border with the Republic.   Protestants and loyalists often refer to Northern Ireland as Ulster. Prior to the Partition, Ulster was a culturally distinct region from the rest of Ireland (the others being Munster in the South, Leinster in the East, and Connaught in the West). Ironically, Ulster was the most Gaelic of the four provinces, both culturally and linguistically. In the 17th century, when British King James I initiated the settlement of Scottish Presbyterians and English Protestants in the region, Ulster slowly but steadily became predominantly Protestant.   During the decades that followed, English and Scottish Protestants gradually took over land inhabited by Irish natives. This act of dispossession fueled a division between (Catholic) nationalists, who wished Ireland to be independent, and (Protestant) unionists, who staunchly defended their right to remain part of the United Kingdom.   The 1916 Easter Rising rebellion was a turning point for all four Irish regions. It showed the world (and especially Great Britain) the determination of the Irish people to be independent while solidifying Catholics and Protestants in their opposing beliefs. While the southern provinces celebrated the Easter rebels as heroes, people in Ulster viewed the rebellion as an act of treason against Great Britain during a time of war.   Michael Collins, 1919. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Back to the IRA. The Irish Republican Army active between 1919 and 1922 was led de facto by Michael Collins (and officially by Cathal Brugha). It is now known as the “old IRA,” or “original IRA,” and its origins can be traced back to the Irish Volunteers, the organization, founded in 1913, that was responsible for the Easter Rising.   By late 1919, the members of the Irish Volunteers who recognized the authority of the first Dáil Éireann (Assembly of Ireland) started calling themselves members of the “Irish Republican Army.” The “old IRA” was born.   The signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921 not only ended the War of Independence (1919-1921) by establishing the Irish Free State (and Northern Ireland), but it also led to the first split in the history of the IRA.   The Irish Republican Army (1922-1969) National Army troops on board a ship bound for a secret destination during the Irish Civil War, 1922. Source: The National Library of Ireland   In 1922, the IRA members opposed to the signing of the Treaty broke away from the IRA and formed the anti-treaty IRA sub-group. This was the beginning of the Irish Civil War, which lasted from 1922 to 1923. During this time, the anti-treaty IRA waged war on the Irish Free State (which always maintained they were “Irregulars”), burning public buildings, and destroying bridges and railway lines.   When they seized the Four Courts in Dublin in April 1922 Michael Collins’s pro-Treaty forces bombed them. The anti-Treaty IRA eventually became outnumbered, and by August 1922, the Free State had regained control of all the major towns with the help of the Dublin Guard, a unit made up of highly trained and motivated former IRA men loyal to Collins. Finally, on May 24, 1923, Frank Aiken, chief of staff of the Anti-Treaty, called for a definitive cease-fire. The Irish Civil War finally came to an end.   After the Civil War, the IRA continued to resist the Irish Free State and the Partition of Ireland. When Éamon de Valera’s Fianna Fáil party won the elections in 1932 a more relaxed and friendly relationship began between the institutions and the IRA. However, it was short-lived, with the IRA denouncing de Valera’s party for not seeking to end the partition of Ireland. In response, de Valera banned the IRA in 1936 in what was the beginning of his increasingly strict anti-IRA policy.   Public support for the IRA was relatively low during World War II. The IRA’s political stance can be summed up as “The enemy of my enemy is my enemy.” Despite Ireland remaining neutral, the IRA declared its support for Nazi Germany in the hopes of weakening the British position.   Arthur Griffith, third leader of Sinn Féin and later President of Dáil Éireann, died in 1922. Source: Wikimedia Commons   During the war, both the British and Irish governments took measures to imprison and even execute members of the IRA. As a result, by 1945, the organization was a shell of its former self, with only 200 active members left. However, two years later, a new leadership emerged and managed to resurrect the organization by tying it to the Sinn Féin political party and focusing on the situation in Northern Ireland.   They also carried out several raids on British military bases across Northern Ireland, in Derry, Armagh, and Omagh, as well as in Great Britain, in Berkshire and Essex, between 1951 and 1954, in order to re-arm themselves. Finally, in December 1956, the IRA launched Operation Harvest, also known as the IRA’s border campaign.   The campaign, devised by Seán Cronin, lasted over five years and saw Republicans launch a series of attacks on military and infrastructure targets (courthouses, Army barracks, BBC relay transmitters, and RUC stations) within Northern Ireland. In the 1930s and 1940s, the IRA’s declared aim was to overthrow both British rule in the north and the Irish Free State, which they saw as “alien” and illegitimate institutions imposed upon them by the British.   In the 1950s Republicans shifted their focus to Northern Ireland alone. Although the border campaign ultimately failed, it represented a watershed moment in the history of the IRA. While the tensions resulting from its failure were one of the causes of the split of 1969, they also prompted a rethinking of the organization’s strategy. The IRA’s leaders understood that they needed to seek and gain popular support if they were to achieve their goal of a unified Ireland.   The IRA Becomes the Provisional IRA (1969-2005) Free Ireland Mural, Derry/Londonderry, 1986. Source: Wikimedia Commons   The outbreak of the Troubles in Northern Ireland marked a new and complex beginning for the IRA. Popular support fluctuated during the 1950s, as many felt that the IRA had failed in its objective to protect Catholic communities. After the August 1969 riots (which marked the beginning of the Troubles) and the massive deployment of British troops on Northern Irish soil, the Irish republican movement was divided on how to respond to escalating violence.   The so-called Provisional IRA emerged in December 1969 as a breakaway (minority) faction of the original IRA. In less than two years, the Provos (as it was called) became the primary Irish republican paramilitary force involved in the armed struggle to end British rule in Northern Ireland. Then, in January 1972, the events of Bloody Sunday outraged the world. In the tragic days that followed thousands of young Northern Irish men and women voluntarily joined the ranks of the Provisional IRA.   The Cenotaph, Enniskillen, by Dean Molyneaux. Source: Geograph   Support for the IRA continued to wax and wane in the late 1970s and 1980s, particularly after some of the deadliest attacks it carried out. The 1978 La Mon House bombing, for instance, killed twelve innocent people after a bomb caused a devastating miniature-type firestorm that spread throughout the hotel’s rooms. Similarly, the so-called Remembrance Day attack in Enniskillen in 1987 resulted in twelve deaths and 63 people injured, some of them permanently. In both cases, all the victims were Protestants.   Especially in the aftermath of the La Mon House attack, support for the IRA drastically declined both in Ireland and overseas. The president of the Sinn Féin, the political wing of the IRA, publicly condemned the group’s careless disregard for innocent lives and the IRA admitted responsibility.   1978 became the worst year for the IRA in its history. However, the tide changed in 1981 with the hunger strikes in the Long Kesh prison, and support for the IRA began to grow again.   Bloody Sunday Mural, Derry, photo by murielle29. Source: Flickr   Over the years, many crucial leaders merged from the ranks of the Provisional IRA, including Martin McGuinness (1950-2017), second-in-command in 1972, at the time of the Bloody Sunday, and Gerry Adams (1948). Both McGuinness and Adams played pivotal roles in the negotiations that led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which was publicly acknowledged by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was also involved in the peace process.   In April 1994, the first ceasefire was announced. It lasted two days. Four months later, on August 21, 1994, another “cessation of military operations” was announced, which lasted until February 1996. It was renewed in July 1997, shortly before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. After years of disagreement over decommissioning, in 2004, the IRA officially announced the end of its armed campaign.   How Many Deaths Is the IRA Responsible For?  The Grand Hotel in Brighton following the IRA bomb attack, 1984. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Over 30 years, 3,720 people lost their lives as a result of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, according to CAIN. They were victims of bomb attacks, shootings, being run over (the Maguire children in August 1976), kidnappings and torture (the victims of the Shankill Butchers), and premature explosions (which happened occasionally to members of paramilitary groups on both sides). Data provided by Wesley Johnston show the Provisional IRA was responsible for 49% of the killings.   Out of the 1696 people who died because of the IRA’s attacks, 790 were Protestant, 338 Catholic and the rest came from outside Northern Ireland. Other sources estimate that the IRA killed between 1,700 and 1,800 people, not only in Northern Ireland but also in the Republic of Ireland and on British soil. It is important to note that the Provisional IRA was not the only republican group active during the Troubles.   Some of the killings were also carried out by the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) and by the Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA). The Catholic community was the most affected, with 1525 people killed, according to Malcolm Sutton. Additionally, most of the civilians killed by British forces (that is, the British Army, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and the Ulster Defence Regiment) were Catholics, a fact that underlines the sectarian nature of the Northern Irish conflict.   In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement was signed and welcomed by most paramilitary groups, as well as by the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. However, some members of the Provisional IRA opposed the Agreement and broke away in 1997 to form the so-called Real IRA (RIRA).   Lyra Mckee, 2017. Source: International Journalism Festival   In 2012, the Real IRA merged with other republican groups, including Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD), to form a new organization called the New IRA. On April 18, 2019, Belfast-born journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead while covering a series of riots in the Creggan neighborhood in Derry. She was 29. She died doing her job, which was to investigate and expose the consequences of the sectarian conflict that had plagued Northern Ireland from 1969 to 1998. The conflict still affects tens of thousands of people today. The New IRA admitted responsibility for her murder. Their power base is in the Creggan area of Derry, where McKee was murdered. The New IRA’s main target remains the men of the PSNI, the Police Service of Northern Ireland.   In 2023, the United States added the New IRA to the list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. In a way, McKee’s death is the result of that very same sectarian mentality that allowed the Troubles to claim victims for 30 years. The articles and investigative work she carried out tell another story — that of a country that is actively working towards peace to leave the violence of the Troubles in the past.

  New York isn’t all about New York City and the Hamptons. It’s easy to overlook the Finger Lakes, the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and other gems that make the state so much more diverse than its urban centers. Upstate New York is an expansive region filled with natural beauty, from sprawling lakes and mountains to charming towns and farmland. Known for its wine trails, vibrant autumn foliage, outdoor recreation, and quaint villages, it’s also a haven for history lovers.   For those intrigued by tales of Revolutionary War battles, Gilded Age architecture, and the birthplace of movements that shaped the nation, Upstate New York’s small towns are where history truly comes alive. Here’s a look at ten historic towns in Upstate New York, each brimming with stories of the past and a sense of place you won’t soon forget.   1. Aurora Aurora Inn, Aurora, New York. Source: Wikimedia Commons   This historic village located on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake was originally inhabited by the Cayuga people. The area was known as Chonodote, or “Peachtown,” due to its extensive orchards. In 1779, during the Revolutionary War, the village was destroyed by the Sullivan Expedition. This led to the dispersal of its indigenous inhabitants.   European-American settlement began in 1789, and by 1837, Aurora was incorporated as a village. It became a hub for canal traffic following the opening of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, which facilitated the transport of wool, grain, fruit, and pigs to broader markets.   The Aurora Village-Wells College Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the first historic spot that you need to explore when visiting Aurora. This district showcases well-preserved 19th-century architecture. You also have the Aurora Inn, established in 1833. This one is a must-see as well. If you want to learn about the artistic heritage of this small town in Upstate New York, then head to the nearby MacKenzie-Childs Farm, which features handcrafted ceramics and home furnishings.   2. Cooperstown National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown, New York. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Founded in 1786 by Judge William Cooper, this town that you will find at the southern tip of Otsego Lake was named in Cooper’s honor. His son, James Fenimore Cooper, a renowned novelist, immortalized the area in his “Leatherstocking Tales,” referring to Otsego Lake as the “Glimmerglass.” Cooperstown is perhaps best known as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, established in 1939. This institution celebrates the history of baseball and honors its greatest players, making the village a pilgrimage site for fans of America’s pastime.   Apart from baseball, Cooperstown also has plenty of attractions, which makes it one of the most beautiful historic towns in New York. The Farmers’ Museum provides a glimpse into 19th-century rural life and features historic buildings and demonstrations of traditional crafts. The Fenimore Art Museum houses an impressive collection of American folk art and Native American artifacts.   You can also visit Hyde Hall, a neoclassical mansion dating back to the early 19th century, to get an idea about the architectural heritage of this small town in Upstate New York.   3. Skaneateles Horse drawn carriage in Skaneateles, New York. Source: Wikimedia Commons   The name “Skaneateles” derives from the Iroquois term for “long lake,” which reflects the indigenous roots of this Upstate New York small town. European-American settlement began in the late 18th century, and the village was officially incorporated in 1833.   Skaneateles is nestled at the northern tip of Skaneateles Lake and is renowned for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture, with many buildings dating back to the 1830s. The downtown Historic District, established in 1985, showcases these architectural treasures. You can explore the Skaneateles Historical Society’s museum, housed in a former creamery building from 1899.   The village’s vibrant downtown features unique shops, restaurants, and historic inns, such as the Sherwood Inn, which has been welcoming guests since 1807. Skaneateles Lake, known for its clear waters, provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and lakeside relaxation.   Throughout the year, Skaneateles hosts various events, including the annual Dickens Christmas celebration, where the village transforms into a Victorian-era setting, complete with costumed characters and festive activities.   4. Seneca Falls Amelia Bloomer House, Seneca Falls, New York. Source: Wikimedia Commons   This Upstate New York town is often recognized as the birthplace of the women’s rights movement in America. In July 1848, it hosted the first Women’s Rights Convention at the Wesleyan Chapel, where activists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott presented the Declaration of Sentiments, advocating for women’s equality.   You can visit the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, which includes the Wesleyan Chapel and the homes of key figures such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The National Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes the achievements of influential American women and their contributions to society.   Seneca Falls is also believed to have inspired the fictional town of Bedford Falls in Frank Capra’s classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The town embraces this connection with an annual festival and the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, which showcases memorabilia from the film.   Apart from its historical significance, Seneca Falls offers scenic beauty along the Seneca River and is part of the Finger Lakes region, which is known for its wineries and outdoor recreational opportunities.   5. Sackets Harbor Navy Yard Commandant’s House, Sackets Harbor, New York. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Sackets Harbor is particularly noted for its strategic importance during the War of 1812. Founded in 1801 by Augustus Sacket, the village’s deep natural harbor on Lake Ontario made it an ideal location for shipbuilding and military operations.   Sackets Harbor served as the headquarters for the U.S. Navy on the Great Lakes during the War of 1812 and was the site of two significant battles. The Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site preserves these historic grounds, which give you the chance to explore restored 19th-century buildings, exhibits, and interpretive trails that detail the military heritage of the village.   Sackets Harbor also boasts well-preserved 19th-century architecture, with tree-lined streets and historic homes that reflect its rich past. The village’s waterfront offers scenic views of Lake Ontario, making it a popular destination for boating, fishing, and leisurely strolls along the harbor.   Cultural attractions include the Sackets Harbor Historical Society, which provides you with a glimpse into the area’s history through exhibits and events. The village also hosts annual festivals and concerts to celebrate its heritage and community spirit.   6. Lake Placid Mirror Lake Resort, Lake Placid, New York. Source: Flickr   Established in the early 19th century, Lake Placid, part of New York’s charming Adirondack Mountains, gained prominence as a resort destination because it attracted visitors to its pristine lakes and mountainous landscapes.   The village’s global recognition stems from hosting the Winter Olympics twice. The first time was in 1932, and the second in 1980. The 1980 Games are particularly memorable for the “Miracle on Ice,” where the U.S. hockey team triumphed over the favored Soviet Union.   Start your visit by exploring the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, where you’ll see artifacts and exhibits from both Olympic events. The Olympic Center, featuring the historic Herb Brooks Arena, offers information about the sporting legacy of Lake Placid.   Apart from its Olympic heritage, Lake Placid offers year-round recreational activities. Whiteface Mountain provides skiing and snowboarding in winter, and hiking and mountain biking during warmer months. Mirror Lake is located in the heart of the village. It is ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, and ice skating.   The village’s Main Street is lined with shops, restaurants, and historic inns, reflecting its charming character. Nearby, the John Brown Farm State Historic Site commemorates the abolitionist’s life and legacy.   7. Chatham Tracy Memorial Village Hall Complex, Chatham, New York. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Established in the early 19th century, Chatham was originally known as Groat’s Corners, named after early settler Captain Thomas Groat. The Upstate New York village became a significant railroad hub in the mid-1800s, with multiple rail lines converging here. This brought to town massive economic growth and development.   When you visit Chatham, start by exploring its well-preserved 19th-century architecture, including the Tracy Memorial Village Hall, built in 1912, and the historic Union Station, constructed in 1887.   Also, the Main Street of Chatham is interesting to explore as it’s lined with unique shops, restaurants, and the Crandell Theatre, one of the oldest continuously operating movie theaters in the region.   Chatham hosts several annual events that celebrate its heritage and community spirit, such as the Columbia County Fair, which has been a local tradition since the mid-19th century. As for the Chatham Village Historical Society, it offers walking tours and maintains exhibits that teach you about the village’s past.   8. Ticonderoga Fort Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga, New York. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Strategically situated between Lake George and Lake Champlain, Ticonderoga’s name derives from the Mohawk word “tekontaró:ken,” meaning “it is at the junction of two waterways.”   The town is renowned for Fort Ticonderoga, originally constructed by the French in the 1750s as Fort Carillon. This fortification played pivotal roles in both the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. In 1775, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold led a surprise attack, capturing the fort from the British, marking the first American victory of the Revolutionary War.   You can explore the meticulously restored Fort Ticonderoga, which offers interactive exhibits, reenactments, and stunning views of the surrounding lakes. The town also boasts a rich industrial heritage, notably in graphite mining. The iconic Dixon Ticonderoga pencil was named after the graphite mined and processed in the area.   The Ticonderoga Heritage Museum showcases the industrial past of this Upstate New York small town, including its contributions to the paper and pencil industries. Additionally, the La Chute River Trail offers a scenic walk along the river that connects Lake George to Lake Champlain.   9. Hammondsport Hammondsport, New York’s depot for the Bath and Hammondsport Railroad, New York. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Found at the Keuka Lake’s southern tip, one of the Finger Lakes, Hammondsport has been a hub for winemaking since the 19th century. In 1829, Reverend William Bostwick planted the first grapevine in the area. This led to the establishment of a thriving wine industry.   The village is also notable as the hometown of aviation pioneer Glenn H. Curtiss. Known as the “Father of Naval Aviation,” Curtiss made significant contributions to early aviation and motorcycle design. The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport showcases his achievements and features exhibits on early aviation, motorcycles, and local history.   Head to the Pleasant Valley Wine Company, established in 1860 and designated as U.S. Bonded Winery No. 1. The winery offers tours and tastings. This allows you to learn about Hammondsport’s winemaking heritage.   The picturesque setting of the town on Keuka Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and lakeside relaxation. Also, the village’s historic downtown features charming shops, restaurants, and inns, reflecting its rich heritage and welcoming atmosphere.   10. Ballston Spa Ballston Spa, New York. Source: Flickr   Located southwest of Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa was established in 1807. The village was named after Rev. Eliphalet Ball, an early settler. In the early 19th century, Ballston Spa gained prominence as a premier destination for its mineral springs. Visitors were flocking there seeking therapeutic benefits. The village was also home to the Sans Souci Hotel, built in 1803, which was the largest hotel in the United States at that time.   The first historic place you need to explore is the Brookside Museum, housed in a 1792 building that once served as a resort hotel. The museum offers exhibits on local history and is one of the oldest structures in the village. The National Bottle Museum showcases the history of bottle-making and its significance to the area.   Ballston Spa’s downtown area features well-preserved 19th-century architecture, with unique shops, restaurants, and historic inns. Wiswall Park, located in the heart of the village, hosts community events and concerts that allow you to learn about the vibrant community spirit there.

  Japan’s Bakufu, or military government, began in 1192 with Minamoto Bakufu and ended with the Tokugawa Bakufu’s fall in 1868. The Tokugawa Bakufu fell on this date, restoring Imperial rule under the young Emperor Meiji. During nearly seven centuries, Japan changed dramatically from feudalism, social change, conflicts, and outside forces seeking trade or contact.   What Does the Word Bakufu Mean? The Battle of Ichi-no-Tani, on folding screen, late 1600s, Source: Wikimedia Commons   The word bakufu means “tent government” and is used interchangeably with the term shogunate. This feudal-style government, led by the Shogun or military ruler, made Japan’s Emperor a figurehead. The country’s real power lay with the Bakufu and its military. But no Shogun overthrew the Throne as their rule notionally came from the emperor’s power.    Why Did the Bakufu Rule Japan Instead of the Emperor? The Utter Defeat of the Taira Clan in the Great Genpei War at Akama Bay in Nagato Province, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, c. 1845. Source: The Art Institute Chicago   The samurai rule over the emperor happened gradually, not with one swoop. As Imperial rule faltered around the 12th century, the daimyo, or nobles, assumed local power. The samurai pledged their loyalty to the daimyo in return for economic or political favors. Different factions started to clash, leading to the 1185 Genpei War. The victors, the Minamoto clan led by now Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo, founded the first bakufu – the Kamakura Bakufu. No Shogun would overthrow an Emperor, a descendant of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess.   How Did Kamakura Bakufu Change Japan? Issho Yada’s Kami Kaze. Source: Bowdoin College   The Kamakura Bakufu (1185-1333) consolidated power by solidifying the feudal system. With the Emperor’s consent, Yoritomo became the first Shogun or military ruler. With the Shogun, all real military and political power rested. The shift from the Imperial Court to the Shogun marked the first great change. The Bakufu resided in Kamakura near today’s Tokyo and took its name.   With peace came prosperity under the new Bakufu rule. Japanese merchants traded with China or Korea, exchanging goods like gold and lumber for silk, books, and medicines. Buddhism’s influence reached far after 1185. Buddhism’s focus on discipline and concentration appealed to the samurai.   When Did the Ashikaga Bakufu Take Over? Portrait of Ashikaga Takauji, 14-15th century. Source: Wikipedia   The Ashikaga Bakufu ruled from 1336 to 1573. Its predecessor, the Kamakura Bakufu, fell in 1333 from financial distress and internal politics. Defending Japan against the Mongols in 1274 and 1281 created deep money woes. The end came with Emperor Go-Daigo’s successful 1333 revolt. His reforms ended in 1336 when a supporting clan, the Ashikaga, under Takauji Ashikaga, defeated the emperor’s forces. Their clashes started with allotments of land and power.   The Ashikaga Bakufu’s time is noted for two Imperial Courts. The Northern Court, created by Ashikaga Takauji in Kyoto, crowned a new emperor from the Imperial family. His nemesis, Emperor Go-Daigo, established his own, the Southern Court. This “rebel” court lasted until their 1392 surrender to Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.   What Is the Ashikaga Bakufu Noted For? Noh Drama Mask. Source: Museum of Ethnography   After its founding, the Ashikaga Bakufu Era created a cultural rather than political change. This cultural era, the Muromachi Period, lasted well past the Ashikiga. Easy-recognizable cultural institutions, such as Noh drama or architecture, developed, adding their richness to Japanese history. The Bakufu propagated and supported Buddhism, supporting Buddhist temples and thus spreading its influence.   Who Established the Tokugawa Bakufu? Tokugawa Crest or Mon. Source: Wiki Media Commons   Tokugawa Ieyasu established this last of the Bakufus (1603-1868) in 1603 after defeating all his opponents. Tokugawa would also be probably the most determined Shogun. His victory ended the decades-long Sengoku Era, or “Warring States.” These daimyo, Emperor, and even monk-led conflicts had wracked the entire country, ending the troubled Ashikaga Bakufu.   What Changes Did the Tokugawa Bakufu Make? Tokugawa Ieyasu. Source: japanvisitor.com   By 1630, Ieyasu and his descendants enacted radical events that changed Japan, unlike the Shoguns. First, political control was tightened, and the samurai class was affected. Many slowly became administrators instead of warriors. Next, in 1630, Tokugawa’s son banned Christianity, kicking priests out of Japan and massacring or exiling any Japanese Christians who resisted over several decades.    Finally came Sakoku, or “closed country,” which banned all foreigners, usually Europeans, after 1620. Only the Dutch, Chinese, and Koreans remained as traders. Even then, the Bakufu kept a strict watch on their activities. Even Japanese who settled abroad were refused. The Tokugawa Shogun feared outside influences, seeing how the Europeans split China and other countries.   The Tokugawa tightened their grip further with sankin-kotai, or “alternate attendance.” The Bakufu required daimyo families to live alternate years in Edo, the capital. The families remained as hostages in the capital. Forced to spend money on two estates, the Bakufu hoped to prevent revolt.   Why Did the Bakufu Era End? Black Ship. Source: Nippon.com   The Meiji Restoration of 1868 ended the Bakufu period. A bad economy and the 1853 visit by Commodore Perry’s “Black Ships,” cracking Japan’s isolation with treaties, damaged the Bakufu. Seeing a chance after so many years, Emperor Meiji and his followers struck. The last Tokugawa Shogun resigned in 1869, officially ending nearly 700 years of Bakufu rule.

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