Question 2A:
Use
the TEEL to answer the following question, "Explain the political features of shogunate japan"
The Shogunate period caused significant change within Japan’s political system with the introduction of Shogun rule. The Shogun had majority control over the rule of Japan affecting the traditional social structure (feudal system). From evidence taken from the Jacplus textbook we know that Shogunate Japan (1192-1867) began when the power of the Emperor weakened in the 12th Century. At this time the Daimyos, the lords or nobles, took this opportunity to try and seize power. The Shogunate arose out of the Emperors need to regain control of society from the Daimyo, who used samurai armies and great wealth to take over. The final victor in the wars between the Daimyos was Minamoto no Yoritomo. Instead of making himself Emperor he persuaded the Imperial Court to recognise his power and was given the title Seii tai-shogun (barbarian-subduing great-general). He became the first Shogun ruler and began the first Shogunate, known as Kamakura. As a result the Emperor’s power was reduced to a symbolic one although he still had control over society and was given military protection by the Shogun. The Shogun was given much greater power and rights as seen through his roles as military leader and the right to appoint his taxes, some of which went to the Emperor and the rest of the Shogun. The power of a Shogun is also seen through Tokugawa Leysauʼs ability to place restrictions on the Daimyos who were high in the social structure (feudal system) and a threat to the ruling Shogun. Restrictions included such things as strict building and marriage regulations. From these examples we can see that the Shogun was given extreme power in the ruling of Japan and therefore showing that the Shogunate period caused significant change within Japan’s political system because it affected the traditional social structure (feudal system) by ranking the Shogun second in the social structure and above the Daimyo.