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Dbq Similarities And Differences Between Samurai And Knights

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From approximately 1000 C.E. to 1600 C. E. The system of feudalism was dominating both Europe and Asia. Lords would give land to warriors in exchange for military services. In Europe, these warriors were called knights, and halfway across the world, in Japan, the warriors were called samurai (Doc. 1). Both the samurai and the knights used feudalism, and both had a code that they followed. Between the codes, feudalism, and even how they prepared for battle, the warrior’s similarities were, without a doubt, greater than their differences. To start, both samurai and knights had a code of honor that they followed. The knight’s code was called chivalry, and the samurai’s code was called bushido. The main idea of chivalry was to always be loyal to your lord and the Catholic Church. Knights also had to promise to do no wicked deed (Doc. E). To dishonor knighthood was the greatest disgrace. The main idea of bushido was to alway be loyal to the shogun. For example, if the samurai had family problems, he would have to serve his master before his family (Doc. E). As you can see, the main idea of both chivalry and bushido way loyalty towards their master and that both the samurai and knights were very similar. …show more content…

For both Europe and Japan, feudalism was a social ranking where knights were middle ranking and would get land and pay from lords and daimyos. In exchange, the warriors had to fight and defend the lords and daimyos. As said before, the fighters were middle ranking so they were above the serf, or peasants, but below the lords and daimyos (Doc. A). Likewise, the samurai and knights would give the peasants and slaves food and shelter in exchange for labor services (OI). Here is another reason of why the knights and samurai’ similarities were greater than their

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