Decentralized Civilizations: Western Europe and Japan

600-1450Mr. Ornstein

Willow Canyon High SchoolAP World History

Answer

• How is Centralized Power different from De-Centralized Power?

Decentralized Power

• Power is spread out• Many weaker leaders vs.

one strong ruler or party• No One Ruler• Conflicts for Power• Potential for more Chaos

Feudalism

• Feudalism was Decentralized Power.

• How does Feudalism work?• What event ended Feudalism in

Western Europe?• Draw European Feudal

Hierarchy:

Feudalism

• Political and Economic system with hierarchy and based on land, loyalty and protection.

• Used in Japan and Western Europe.

Charlemagne

• Attempts to Bring Back Centralized Power to Western Europe.

• Rules Empire that included France, Spain, and parts of Italy and Germany

• Empire Falls apart After Death

Feudalism Ends in Western Europe

• Crusades• Black Death• 100 Years War between

England and France

Japan

• Archipelago- A group of Islands

• 85% Mountains

• Lack of Resources and Living Space

2 Problems Japan Has Always Had

• 1. Lack of Natural Resources

• 2. Lack of living space

Early Japan

• Early Japan was influenced by Chinese Culture

• Korea was the cultural bridge between China and Japan

Japanese Emperor

• Emperor was the traditional ruler of Japan.

• Religious and Political Ruler

• Kyoto was Capital

Emperor Loses Power and Japan Becomes Feudal

• 9th and 10th Century Emperor loses power to more decentralized feudal warlords and military generals.

• Rise of Daimyo and Samurai

Japanese Feudalism

• Shogun-Military Ruler• Daimyo-Land owner/Noble• Samurai-Warrior• Peasant• Merchants

Japanese Feudalism• Shogun• Daimyo• Samurai• Peasant• Merchant

European Feudalism• Monarch• Noble• Knight• Peasant

Shogun

• Military General of Head Daimyo of Japan

• Faked Loyalty to Emperor but really controlled Emperor

Bushido Code

• Honor Code for Samurai

• Like Chivalry for European Knight

Bushido Code

• Honor is most important• Seppuku-Ritual Suicide• Death was preferred over living

with Dishonor• Ronin-Samurai with no Daimyo.

Disgraced and disrespected.

Minamoto Yoritomo

• 1st Shogun of Japan

• 1180• Minamoto

family brought stability to Japan.

Sengoku/Warring States Period

• 1300-1600• Minamoto family loses control of

Shogunate• Time of chaos and war in Japan as rival

Daimyo fight to become new Shogun.• Japan is no longer unified but is ruled by

various Daimyo.• Constant Fighting and violence

Japan and Europe under Feudalism

• Decentralized power.• Fighting and chaos• Disunity• Charlemagne and Minamoto

Yoritomo tried to bring Central Authority Back

• Warrior Honor Codes

Answer:

• Draw the Japanese Feudal Hierarchy:

• How were feudal times similar in both Japan and Western Europe?

• Who is the traditional ruler of Japan?

• What are 2 problems Japan has always had?