In Depth: Comparing Feudalisms 1. Do you think the characteristics of feudalism help explain the later success of Western & Japanese societies? Yes, the militaristic characteristics of the Western and Japanese societies help explain how much land they conquered and how powerful they were. 2. Have the political accomplishments of both Japan & Western Europe matched their economic achievements? Both Japan and Western Europe practiced feudalism and they were both unusually successful in industrial development. They are both also proven adept at running capitalist economies, so the political accomplishments of both Japan and Western Europe have matched their economic achievements. 3. If so, in what ways? If not, why not? Yes, the …show more content…
Although the emperor and his court were retained, real power subsided in the bakufu and with the Minamoto and their allies. 3. What was the nature of Japanese society and economy during the period of the daimyos? 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
Japan had to deal with many issues during its period of reunification. The major issue for Japan was the constant fighting between daimyo. From 1500-1603, Japan went through a devastating civil war, in which Toyotomi Hideyoshi eventually won. After Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu created a Shogunate that had imperial rule, so the daimyo could no longer fight for control. Japan also struggled with its changing economy in that merchants had low status but higher wealth than the daimyo and samurai. The lords did not seem as powerful when they needed to borrow money from low class merchants. In concern to external pressures, Japan had tried to take Korea under the reign of Hideyoshi but they were quickly overpowered. When the Tokugawa took control,
The 1400s to 1800s was one of the most important time periods in history for the development of countries along with new ideas around the world. Even though nearly every country in the world was developing, due to geographical locations some countries developed in similar and different ways than others. From 1400 to 1800 France and Japan developed similarly despite their geographical locations and the different influences they encountered. France and Japan faced similar problems within their country and developed similar structures of government. However, one difference that France and Japan developed was their views on foreign policies.
13 Tokugawa shoguns ruled in succession from 1603-1868, with each successive head assuming the rank of Shogun. This was bestowed by the Emperor who was merely a figurehead and exercised no political authority.
After the initial treaty with western countries, a series of events unfolded along with the desire for change in Japanese ideologies. Additionally, the outcome caused the Tokugowa shogunate to weaken thus lead to the Emperor seizing power from the shogunate. With foreign countries aiding Japan, the people of the country began to take in Western ideologies into their culture and daily lives. Moreover, Japans contact with a foreign country’s allowed the country to gain momentum in their cultural development but also led to the fall of feudalism in the land.
The fall of the Japanese Shogun proceeded the end of the Warring States era and it begin the whole new process of uniting Japan. During the process of unifying Japan, there were three main rulers that each took a different access to not only Japan, but by reaching relations with the Westerners. The three main rulers that were involved in this unifying was: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokygawa Ieyasu.
In this paper, I will argue that those events had a huge impact on every sector of the Japanese state-development. Moreover, I will argue that the results of those events were mostly positive for the Asian state. My essay will be structured in the following way. Firstly, I will analyze the economic change, which occurred as a result of the
Both lords and daimyo had many peasants working for them. Farming was the main economic activity on both European and Japanese estates. In addition,
It would be the Tokugawa period that lasted such a large chunk of Japan’s history, from 1608 to 1863, that would infamously give a once feudal Japan it’s isolationist and closed off reputation. It was a time of distinct social hierarchy where the emperor would give his Shogunate fiefs, which were units of land in exchange for military service. This is where Shogun’s and their Daimyo would enforce a strict Kaikin policy that would bar and heavily limit trade as well as restrict natives from leaving the country. Below them were the Samurai, the warriors that enforced this peaceful period of Japanese history. Then followed farmers, artisans, and lastly, the merchants. It was a period of systematic stability with little foreign interference, this
The relationship between Japan and Europe has changed dramatically over the last 50 years. The relationship between Japan and Europe are at what could be described as the single biggest turning point in post war history. In the past the relationship has been solely an economic one, characterized by trade frictions and discord. The concept of the US-Europe-Japan three-way relationship being linked, with the Europe-Japan link being much weaker than the other two is
Q6. Japan was a country that had kept to themselves, they were closed off from most of the outside world. Due to their isolation, they were unable to keep up with the times. This meant that they would be behind in almost everything, especially industrialization. The Industrial Revolution had been a major success and played a key role in the wealth and height of power in many of the European nations. Once the Japanese had opened their eyes to all of the possibilities, they were in awe. Many of there influences came from the European nations and the United States. All f these countries had modernized and Japan was left standing alone. Japan had felt left out after seeing the modernization and the positive effects it had on the other nations. They to wanted to become strong and powerful. In my opinion the United States and other European nations played monumental roles in the motivation of Japan when it came to building their empire.
During all of the changes of Japan's efforts in trying and industrialize, they were well on their way of having a social structure. A main focus was to build a stronger and better army to be able to compete against Western nations. Women had more rights as of education, for once, women were able to pursue an education. Many Japanese began to pursue new jobs. Even Western fashion had an impact on their social structure. With all of Japan hard work a social structure was falling into
Japanese success had its costs, among them poor living conditions and crowed cities. The emergence of political parties caused disputes with the emperor and his ministers, leading to frequent elections and political assassinations. Japanese nationalism built on traditions of superiority and cohesion, deference to rulers and the tension from change. Its strength was was a main factor in preventing the revolutions occurring in other industrializing nations. No other nation outside the West matched Japan’s achievement
Throughout the modern time period, both countries believed in a similar sort of patriotism that coexisted with nationalism. “The Japanese shared on basic core concept with the Chinese: the belief that the outside world was a risky and inferior place, best kept at bay.” Outside of this similar ideology, the two nations had plenty of differences which were duly recognized by both parties. These differences in combination with nearly adjacent location made for significant friction between the two powers. Japan's primary method of progression in regards to China was invasion. On multiple occurrences, Japan made attempts at attacking China and its allies. Toyotomi Hideyoshi was one of the three unifiers of Japan and was known as a great military leader. He was very influential in japan due to his position and his preventative work in fighting European and Christian ideas across his country. Hideyoshi had a vision of ruling over China and even considered doing the same in India. He wound up attacking Korea, which was under Chinese power, twice and ended suffering defeat in both attempts. His second assault ended fatally for Hideyoshi. Japan also interfered with China at the beginning of the second world war in hopes of expanding in area. Japan had a goal of conquering great amounts of territory in order to grow more powerful as a
Starting in the sixteenth century: Japan’s medieval period ended in late sixteenth century due to western weaponry that warlords were introduced to by Francis Xavier. Warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu took over and, for over 260 years, led a politically stable, peaceful, and prosperous dynasty. In 1868, the Tokugawa dynasty surrendered authority to the imperial court which resulted in the Meiji Restoration, starting the nation’s modernization. This included “creating a strong centralized state, building a modern military, avoiding European colonization, beginning expansion to other parts of East Asia, and launching industrialization and economic development.” Because of industrialization after the 1870s, Japan’s military grew extremely strong. Skipping forward to when America dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered and began rebuilding their government, with economic growth and social stability being their main goals. “Japan today is a highly urbanized society.”`1
Much like its political structure, Japan’s economy has largely changed throughout the years. Ancient Japanese economy was a completely closed system – there were no imports or exports, simply due to Japan’s crippling fear of foreign invasion and occupation. During the European Renaissance, as Western European countries began to make their way to the West Indies, Japan began to become more involved in trade. It traded silk and other oriental commodities to Europe in return for cloth and other European luxuries. With the Meiji Restoration came an economic overhaul. Much of Japan was based on agriculture and its supporting industries, but the Meiji Restoration brought mass industrialization to Japan. Leaders of the Meiji Restoration also completely changed monetary and taxation systems and