2a) Explain the political features of Shogunate Japan
An extremely powerful political feature of Shogunate Japan, was the leading military leader, otherwise known as the Shogun.
The Shogun was the military governor of Japan and they were appointed their position by the Emperor. During the Shogunate period from 1185 to 1867, the Shogun was the de facto ruler over Japan. The Shogunate relied heavily on the feudal system to keep his position and his authority strong. The feudal system was a order of social class. This social structure kept everyone in order and set certain privileges responsibilities and rights.
The higher a person or family is in the feudal system, the more wealth and land they own, therefore meaning the more political involvement they have. For example, a Daimyo may own large areas of land where peasants live. The peasants would work and live on the land in return for protection from their lord. Land was a key component to Japanese Shogunate society, as it allowed for wealth and power. Being higher up in the communal order also allowed for more government participation. For instance, Daimyo families would support the Shogun which would inform and allow for them to become more politically involved and possibly marry into the Shogun family. The more a family is recognised and respected the easier to become associated with the government and Shogun, due to wealth, power and land. Although powerful families can have diplomatic involvement, the Shogun has ultimate rule over Japan. This idea is expressed through Source 1, as it states, ' The more the rulers are respected, and the more the subjects submit humbly, and the more the difference is made clear-cut, the easier it is to govern a country.' This demonstrates how the Shogun ruled strictly and kept all subjects in their correct order.
Therefore , the Shogun was a extremely important political feature of Shogunate Japan, as he strongly ruled Japan and kept it's citizens their social order, while being respected by his advisors.
The Shogun was the military governor of Japan and they were appointed their position by the Emperor. During the Shogunate period from 1185 to 1867, the Shogun was the de facto ruler over Japan. The Shogunate relied heavily on the feudal system to keep his position and his authority strong. The feudal system was a order of social class. This social structure kept everyone in order and set certain privileges responsibilities and rights.
The higher a person or family is in the feudal system, the more wealth and land they own, therefore meaning the more political involvement they have. For example, a Daimyo may own large areas of land where peasants live. The peasants would work and live on the land in return for protection from their lord. Land was a key component to Japanese Shogunate society, as it allowed for wealth and power. Being higher up in the communal order also allowed for more government participation. For instance, Daimyo families would support the Shogun which would inform and allow for them to become more politically involved and possibly marry into the Shogun family. The more a family is recognised and respected the easier to become associated with the government and Shogun, due to wealth, power and land. Although powerful families can have diplomatic involvement, the Shogun has ultimate rule over Japan. This idea is expressed through Source 1, as it states, ' The more the rulers are respected, and the more the subjects submit humbly, and the more the difference is made clear-cut, the easier it is to govern a country.' This demonstrates how the Shogun ruled strictly and kept all subjects in their correct order.
Therefore , the Shogun was a extremely important political feature of Shogunate Japan, as he strongly ruled Japan and kept it's citizens their social order, while being respected by his advisors.