The Last Samurai: Republic of Ezo, 1869
Background Guide coming soon!
As the year 1869 begins, so too is there a new beginning across Japan. The power of the Tokugawa shogunate, uncontested for over two and a half centuries, has finally come to an end. As the fortunes of the shogunate wane, the power of the Emperor waxes large - but there are still some who remain loyal to the old ways. Following the surrender of the capital city of Edo to the imperial army, the remnants of the shogun’s navy fled north to the island of Ezo (now Hokkaidō) and established the first democratic republic in the history of Japan: the Republic of Ezo. But the nascent republic is far from secure. Held together by a strange coalition of the fading samurai class and a rogue group of French military advisors, Ezo is running out of time from the moment its independence is declared. Across the sea, the young government of Emperor Meiji seeks to destroy the last holdouts of the Tokugawa. Across the globe, imperialist powers look with indifference and hostility towards the young country. And across Ezo itself, a lack of resources or military power means that there is little hope for any prolonged resistance against the imperial army. As the most powerful figures at the center of this new republic, these are the circumstances you must overcome. As you struggle to create a state that can stand the tests of the outside world, you must ask yourself what form that state will take. Will it be a state that seeks to preserve traditions that are fading? Will it be a state that embraces modernity? Will it be an aristocracy? A democracy? Will it be a triumphant, shining example on a hill - or will it be just one more failed experiment? The Republic of Ezo, along with all of Japan itself, is at a turning point. Welcome to that turning point: January 27th, 1869. The Republic has been declared. Only you - and the decisions you make, the speeches you give, the alliances you forge - can decide if it lasts.
GARGEE PIPLANI
ChairDear Delegates,
My name is Gargee Piplani, and I am absolutely delighted to serve as your chair for UCBMUN weekend. My interest in this committee and Japan’s history, in general, stems from my seventh-grade history class, where I was first introduced to the country’s feudal era and the intricate hierarchy that defined samurai society. Fascinated, I got to further study the country’s history and culture by interning at the Japan Society of Northern California in high school. I’m super excited to see the creative perspectives with which you approach this nuanced historic era, and I hope you are too!
My MUN career began in my sophomore year of high school, and I never abandoned the activity since then. Most of my coursework does not touch on international relations or policy, which I loved to learn about, so I made it a point to pursue these interests by joining MUN in college. I have been competing on the circuit since my first semester on campus, primarily in GA committees, but with conferences, I served as the Chief of Staff External for UCBMUN two years ago and the chair for the White Ship committee last year.
I'm originally from the East Bay, but spent a lot of my early life moving around places, including India, NYC, Ohio, and Michigan. Currently, I am a junior at UC Berkeley studying Business Administration, Data Science, and Statistics. Outside of MUN, I am also a part of a hedge fund and Greek life on campus. In my free time, I love going on walks, enjoying a good matcha, cheering on the Golden State Warriors, and side questing around the Bay Area.
I look forward to an exciting weekend with everyone and welcoming you all to my home, the Bay Area!
Best,GARGEE PIPLANI
Chair, The Last Samurai: Republic of Ezo, 1869
WILL BAKER
Crisis DirectorHi! I'm Will Baker (he/him), and I have the pleasure of being the Crisis Director for your committee! I'm a sophomore double majoring in English and History here at UC Berkeley. I started doing MUN in my freshman year of high school in my hometown of San Diego, and continued all the way into college! Outside of MUN, I'm an avid reader, an aspiring author, and a very bad guitar player. I also write for the Opinion section of Berkeley Political Review! Historical crisis committees have always been my favorite aspect of collegiate MUN, and I'm particularly excited for this one! Together, we’ll explore how countries come into being, the influence of foreign nations on that process, and the impact of outside influence on a modernizing country! Set against the dramatic backdrop of the end of the Boshin War, this committee will determine the answer to one critical question: Will you be the last of the samurai?
Best,WILL BAKER
Crisis Director, The Last Samurai: Republic of Ezo, 1869