Skip to main content
UploadLanguage (EN)Support
BusinessMobileSocial MediaMarketingTechnologyArt & PhotosCareerDesignEducationPresentations & Public SpeakingGovernment & NonprofitHealthcareInternetLawLeadership & ManagementAutomotiveEngineeringSoftwareRecruiting & HRRetailSalesServicesScienceSmall Business & EntrepreneurshipFoodEnvironmentEconomy & FinanceData & AnalyticsInvestor RelationsSportsSpiritualNews & PoliticsTravelSelf ImprovementReal EstateEntertainment & HumorHealth & MedicineDevices & HardwareLifestyle
DM
Uploaded byDan McDowell
7,728 views

Japan - Feudalism and Tokugawa

Japan transitioned to a feudal system during the rise of feudalism. Power shifted to powerful families and military leaders known as shoguns, who held real political power while the emperor became a figurehead. This decentralized system was consolidated by Tokugawa Ieyasu, who established the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603 that relied on feudal hierarchies and emphasized social order and control. The shogunate gradually closed Japan off from foreign influence by the mid-1600s due to fears of Christianity and foreign domination.

News & Politics◦Business◦
Japan Feudalism and Tokugawa
Rise of Feudalism Land became consolidated into Shoens - controlled by a few powerful families
Decentralization of government - emperor becomes figurehead Military leaders (Shoguns) hold real power Samurai emerged Bushido code Rise of Feudalism
Power shifted into the hands of those in charge of the shoens —the daimyo Daimyo fight for dominance. independence Control local justice, taxes Rise of Feudalism
 
FRANCE H.R. EMPIRE
Economic Development Tax burden on the peasants Trade Economic advancements Merchants considered lowest class
Europeans Reach Japan Portuguese traders arrived in 1543 As the Portuguese began to trade regularly, Jesuit priests also arrived to spread Christianity in 1549
Daimyo of Edo; proclaimed shogun in 1603 Installed his son as shogun in order to strengthen Tokugawa control and eliminate problems of succession Political unity Tokugawa Ieyasu
The Tokugawa Shogunate 1603 – 1869 Relied on the feudal system Appointed daimyo leaders to help administer governmental duties Emphasized maintaining order and control Maintained both a public and secret police
Social Class During the Tokugawa Shogunate Warrior-administrators Peasants Craftsmen Merchants
The Samurai During the Tokugawa Shogunate Samurai began to follow the bushido code In charge of Japan’s military Gradually shifted to governmental and administrative roles
Christianity and the Tokugawa Catholic missionaries attempted to convert the elites, but had little success More success in the countryside Shimabara Rebellion Persecution of Japanese Christians, expulsion of missionaries
The Closing of Japan Shimabara Rebellion heightened fear of foreign influences Tokugawa “closed” Japan beginning in 1649 Allowed limited contact with the Dutch, Chinese, Koreans Trade significantly limited and controlled Some daimyos ignored the closing
Less need for warriors The samurai slowly lost power, status The warrior ethic seemed to lose its relevance Decline of the Samurai