Power
Why did kings and emperors often have less real power than nobles or military leaders?
Local lords controlled armies, land, and daily government.
Who was considered the highest rank in the feudal pyramid?
The King
What religion shaped most of medieval European life?
Christianity
Who were samurai expected to serve?
Daimyo or military lords.
What were the two warrior classes that fought in both countries
Knights and samurai
Why were marriages between noble families often based on politics instead of love?
Marriage could unite land, wealth, loyalty, and power.
What did peasants mainly do?
Farmed the land, produced food, managed manor grounds
Why was Christianity so central to European life?
Religion was central to life, community, and salvation (go to heaven, not hell)
What is Bushido? What does it mean?
The Warrior Code. The Way of the Warrior.
Name two similarities between feudal Europe and Japan
Social hierarchy, land-based power, warrior class, de-centralized governments, etc.
How did controlling land give someone power in both Europe and Japan?
Land provided food, taxes, wealth, and loyalty from workers.
What did nobles owe the king in exchange for land?
Loyalty and military support
How did the Church influence more than just religion? Name two ways.
Education, politics, laws, charity, records, daily morals.
What were some important values for samurai? (Name 3)
Loyalty, honour, discipline, social order
How were knights and samurai similar?
Both were warriors who served lords and followed codes.
How could women have influence in feudal societies even if men held most official power?
Managing households, land, marriages, finances, and family alliances.
Why were nobles powerful even when a king existed above them?
They controlled land, wealth, castles, and soldiers locally.
Why were many people afraid of excommunication?
It removed them from the Church community and threatened salvation, they feared going to hell.
How did Zen Buddhism help shape samurai behaviour?
What was one major difference between religion in Europe and Japan?
Europe had stronger Church political power; Japan had Buddhism/Shinto without one dominant Church system.
Why do many societies place warriors high in status during dangerous times?
Protection becomes highly valued when survival is uncertain.
Why might a peasant accept hard work and little freedom under feudalism?
Because the system gave some protection, food access, and stability, and also they were born into it
Why would the Church become especially powerful during times of war, disease, or poverty?
People looked for hope, answers, guidance, and spiritual comfort.
Name 3 arts that samurai participated in
Poetry, calligraphy, flower arranging, tea ceremony,
Why do you think two places so far apart developed similar feudal systems?
Both had weak central governments, need for protection, and land-based economies.