Comparative Essay Midterm Review

Basic Core Rubric Has acceptable thesis: Thesis correctly addresses similarities and differences. Thesis must be accurate for the period. (1 point) Addresses all part of the questions- similarities and differences. (2 points) Addresses most parts of the question – similarity or difference(1 point) Substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence – 5 (2 points); Partially substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence – 3 (1 point) Makes at least one or two relevant, direct comparisons between or among societies. (1 point) Analyzes at least one reason for a similarity or difference identified in a direct comparison. (1 point)

Analyze the social and political likenesses and differences between Japanese feudalism and European feudalism during the designated periods: Japan, 1185-1573 C.E. and Europe, 800 to 1300 C.E. (pages 405-409 and pages 452-455, 528-533) Originally, feudalism meant the political and social order of medieval Europe. The feudal system was based on a neat hierarchy of lords and vassals, who collectively took charge of political and military affairs. Feudalism has come to mean a society in which local political and military elites organize their territories and maintain order because of a lack of political centralization.

Analyze the social and political likenesses and differences between Japanese and European feudalism during the designated periods: Japan, 1185-1573 C.E. and Europe, 800 to 1300 C.E. (pages 405-409 and pages 452-455, 528-533) Europe’s Background: . Europe: After Charlemagne’s death, successors were unable to provide the strong will and military skills that Charlemagne had possessed. This weak central authority and invasions from outsiders led to the fall of the Carolingian Empire..

Where was the Carolingian Empire?

Analyze the social and political likenesses and differences between Japanese and European feudalism during the designated periods: Japan, 1185-1573 C.E. and Europe, 800 to 1300 C.E. (pages 405-409 and pages 452-455, 528-533) Japan’s Background: . Japan: Prior to the medieval period, local rulers mostly recognized the emperor as Japan’s supreme political authority; however, Japanese emperors rarely ruled. They were primarily figureheads with no power. The power lay in the hands of an aristocratic clan that controlled affairs through an “imperial house.”

Analyze the social and political likenesses and differences between Japanese and European feudalism during the designated periods: Japan, 1185-1573 C.E. and Europe, 800 to 1300 C.E. (pages 405-409 and pages 452-455, 528-533) Political Characteristics of Japanese Feudalism: Japanese emperors did not rule. They served as figureheads and symbols of authority. The power lay in the hands of an aristocratic clan (Fujiwara family). This group controlled the “imperial house.” During the period from 1185 to 1573, Japan became highly decentralized. The regional lords controlled the land and economic affairs. There was little bureaucracy and no code of conduct. Military talent and discipline was valued. The samurai, or mounted warrior, played the most important role in Japanese political and military affairs.

Political Characteristics of European Feudalism: Analyze the social and political likenesses and differences between Japanese and European feudalism during the designated periods: Japan, 1185-1573 C.E. and Europe, 800 to 1300 C.E. (pages 405-409 and pages 452-455, 528-533) Political Characteristics of European Feudalism: Decentralized. Local nobles maintained order in their own territories. The nobles were loyal to a higher authority. The nobles operated independently, collecting taxes, controlling armed forces, settling legal disputes, etc. The local nobles built military relationships with other important individuals in their regions. Local lords provided grants that allowed “retainers” to support themselves and their families. These grants allowed retainers to devote their time to the service of their lords. In many cases the retainers used grant to acquire military equipment such as armor and weapons.

Social Characteristics of Japanese Feudalism: Analyze the social and political likenesses and differences between Japanese and European feudalism during the designated periods: Japan, 1185-1573 C.E. and Europe, 800 to 1300 C.E. (pages 405-409 and pages 452-455, 528-533) Social Characteristics of Japanese Feudalism: Social Structure: Regional lords of Japan The samurai, professional warriors, enforced the authority of their lords and extended their claim to other lands. Because all of their needs were provided by the peasants, they were free to hunt, ride and practice martial arts. Peasants provided the agricultural surplus and labor services. The samurai were so loyal to their lords that if they failed their masters, they practiced seppuku, suicide through belly slicing. Japanese women made contributions to literature, i.e. The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu, a lady in waiting of the Heian court, one of the most notable literary works in Japanese literature.

Social Characteristics of European Feudalism: Analyze the social and political likenesses and differences between Japanese and European feudalism during the designated periods: Japan, 1185-1573 C.E. and Europe, 800 to 1300 C.E. (pages 405-409 and pages 452-455, 528-533) Social Characteristics of European Feudalism: Social Structure during early medieval period: Regional Lords Retainers Lords of manors Serfs Social structure during late medieval period: Roman Catholic church – priests, bishops, cardinals, popes Knights (chivalry emphasized code of ethics and behavior appropriate for nobles) Workers (guilds included women; women became part of the work force)

MAJOR POINT:: Political Likeness: Analyze the social and political differences between Japanese and European feudalism during the designated periods: Japan, 1185-1573 C.E. and Europe, 800 to 1300 C.E. (pages 405-409 and pages 452-455, 528-533) MAJOR POINT:: Political Likeness: Both Japan and Europe during their respective medieval periods, were highly decentralized. Power rested in the hands of local lords or nobles. EVIDENCE: Japan: In the Kamakura (1185 and 1333 C.E. ) and Muromachi (1336-1573 C.E.) periods, Japan developed a decentralized political structure whereby provincial lords held authority in local regions. They controlled land and economic affairs. As lords and clans fought for power, they had little use for etiquette and refined conduct. Instead, they valued military talent and discipline. As a result the samurai, played a major role in Japanese political and military affairs.

MAJOR POINT:: Political Likeness: Analyze the social and political differences between Japanese and European feudalism during the designated periods: Japan, 1185-1573 C.E. and Europe, 800 to 1300 C.E. (pages 405-409 and pages 452-455, 528-533) MAJOR POINT:: Political Likeness: Both Japan and Europe during their respective medieval periods, were highly decentralized. Power rested in the hands of local lords or nobles. EVIDENCE: Europe: Local nobles took responsibility for maintaining order in their own territories. These nobles acted with growing independence. These nobles operated independently, collected taxes, administered local affairs, led armed forces, and handled disputes.

MAJOR POINT: Social Likeness: Samurai and Knights Analyze the social and political differences between Japanese and European feudalism during the designated periods: Japan, 1185-1573 C.E. and Europe, 800 to 1300 C.E. MAJOR POINT: Social Likeness: Samurai and Knights EVIDENCE: Japan: Europe:

Analyze the social and political differences between Japanese and European feudalism during the designated periods: Japan, 1185-1573 C.E. and Europe, 800 to 1300 C.E. MAJOR POINT:: Social Differences: More layers to European feudal system than Japanese feudal system. EVIDENCE: Japan: Europe:

Analyze the social and political differences between Japanese and European feudalism during the designated periods: Japan, 1185-1573 C.E. and Europe, 800 to 1300 C.E. MAJOR POINT: Analyzes at least one reason for a similarity or difference identified in a direct comparison. (1 point)