Dbq Japanese Feudalism

Have you ever heard of the medieval knights from Europe or the medieval samurais from Japan. Both warrior served a important role in defense for their region. In fact both knights and samurais played a role in a social system known as feudalism. Feudalism began in Europe as early as the 8th century and began in Japan in about 1185 A.D both due to the lack of security. In a one-on-one battle, a samurai would win because of their strong weapons, enforced training, and the acceptance of death.

The Zaibatsu, which is a combination of the top grossing companies in Japan and have many connections in the government and court system that give them a substantial amount of power. Lastly, Japan’s resources are very limited because only 12% of its land is fertile, and they must import 80% of its energy to them. Socially, Japan’s ageing population is another reason why the economy has become stagnate. The ageing population will eventually cause labor shortages that Japan cannot replace.

Under the daimyos, warfare changed from heroic combat to a more modern conflict. The constant state of war damaged the Japanese economy and because of that, some peasants engaged in futile rebellions against

For Japan and Europe, it was a time of trouble…Document “In the late 400’s both Europe and Japan created a feudal system in order to keep peace in the land. Lords acquired large estates of land. They granted some of their lands to lesser nobles, whom promised to fight when conflicts arose.” Background Essay DBQ. So where the similarities greater, or were the differences greater? The samurai and knights were more similar than different in three broad areas, social position, training and armor and the code of honor.

Japanese Feudalism - a social system founded upon a strict hierarchy with the daimyo at the top, followed by the samurai, then farmers and fishermen, artisans, and finally merchants and shopkeepers.

Feudalism in Japan and Europe are different. Although feudalism arose because both societies were in need for security and stability, feudalism in Japan arose because of civil rivalry while feudalism in Europe arose because of invasions. The systems were the same because the lords had to lessen their responsibilities and required armies to protect them. Trust was needed between lords and their

European feudalism was based on contract and Japanese feudalism was based on personal relationship with the lord and vassal. This helps prove that the differences between European and Japanese feudalism made limited government more likely to develop in the West because a contract limits what the lords and vassals could do. William, the king of English, said, “I command you [the vassal] to summon all those who are under your charge......and bring ready with you those five knights that you owe me[.]”1 This helps prove that European feudalism was based on contract because when you owe someone something, it implies an agreement. The key terms are I command you and owe. The vassal has to send troops because he has to. He is under the rule of

The samurai, or bushi (warrior), are well-trained cavalrymen that serve a particular lord. The first recorded history of the samurai was about the 9th century A.D. At that time the capitol of Japan was Kamakura, a military installation. Japan was ruled by an emperor who controlled his empire through the use of shoguns. Shoguns were generals that ruled over

Although Japan changed in many ways from 1853 to 1941, there were also many factors that remained the same throughout the history of Japan. One such continuity was the maintained existence of a figurehead ruler controlled by other political authorities. The feudalistic emperor of Japan was the supposed “highest, most powerful authority” in the land, but was actually controlled by the military leaders- the shogun. Similarly, the militaristic emperor of Japan decades later continued to remain a figurehead ruler controlled by military and government officials. In addition, Japan continued to remain reliant on exports in order to maintain its economy. As a result of Japan’s small geographical size, the island nation had few natural resources and was forced to rely on exports to survive economically. The nation also grew increasingly reliant on other nations to provide materials and supplies that it could not provide for itself. This complete reliance on other nations was seen illustrated when the Japanese military was provoked to attacking another superpower- the United States, in response to the 1940 United States embargo

During the middle ages both Europe and Japan experienced feudalism. The feudal system in both social structures was very similar and different. The system of feudalism in Europe and Japan was a system that had similar roles for the nobles,and the peasants.Both cultures had warriors who defended the people of our country.They follow certain codes of honor. The feudal system has many similarities but also consisted of many differences.

Greatly because Japan was very mountainous, and it made farming a very difficult task. Trading

When people think of “Medieval”, they often relate this to Europe. However, there was once a Medieval Japan too, and this time stretched from 1185-1868 CE. During this period, Shoguns ruled Japan, and they defined it as “Medieval” because, just like Europe society in Japan at this time was feudal in structure. Medieval Europe lasted from the 5th to the 15th century, and was often referred to as Christendom, because most civilians were Christians. Although they didn’t have any direct contact with one another, there were many similarities and differences in these two times. The ones this essay will focus on are; castles, health and hygiene and the social structure.

In Edo Japan, because the Samurai were considered an elite class, they had unjust privileges over others. They had the right to carry weapons and use those weapons in harmful ways without moral justification. The Samurai were allowed to kill any commoner they wanted. The power that they had, was a fear evoking kind of power. But, that changed in the Meiji period. Their unfair and harmful privileges were taken away and instead, the Samurai had an opportunity to become better, democratic leaders, instead of tyrants. They could be leaders of territories or sit in legislation. In fact, the Samurai played one of the largest roles in shaping Meiji Japan. Okuma Shigenobu was the 8th and 17th prime minister of Japan. Okuma was one of the earliest advocates for western culture and science to be integrated into Japanese society. He unified Japan’s currency, and assisted in the renegotiation of the unequal treaties that were signed with Western and European powers. The contribution that was made by samurai entrepreneurs and politicians to modern day Japan is significant in every way

What makes a society feudal? To answer this I am going to look at two important ideas which Duus brings up. The first important idea that he presents is that feudalism has no definition that everyone agrees on, which has created controversy surrounding the question of Japan 's Feudalism. Duus addresses this controversy and then shows that he believes Japan did indeed have feudalism due to having many similarities with European feudalism. The second important point is that the vassal system, particularly that of military men, is a defining feature in Japan 's feudalism. He shows that the rise, and later decline, of the vassal system is crucial in holding together Japan 's feudalism. When vassals began to shift from a military focus to a more aristocratic one, the feudal system declined and eventually faded entirely.

Japan was divided into 240 han which were governed by its own daimyo. After 1720, although some places prospered and others declined which depended on local circumstances, a whole Japan began to experience ecological crisis. To be specific, the number of Japanese population doubled from 15 million to 30 million. In general, the increase in population put pressure on the environment and made it easier for people to suffer from natural disasters such as famines and typhoons. These led to ecological crisis which helped destabilize Tokugawa rule and brought about further reform.