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===Feudalism in Western Europe===

===Feudalism in Western Europe===

The new system of government and economics for Western Europe was feudalism, also known as manorialism.  The feudal system arose in the 8th century in the Frankish kingdom as a way to protect against foreign invasions, especially invasions by Vikings ("Danes") from Scandinavia.  The Normans (descendants of Scandinavians and Franks from Normandy, France) brought feudalism to southern Italy and Sicily.  The Norman conquest of Britain in 1066 brought the feudal system to England, Scotland and Ireland.  Viking invasions lasted until the 10th century, by which time many Vikings had accepted Christianity and settled into civilizations of their own in northern Europe.  The end of the Viking raids enabled trade to increase in Western Europe.

The new system of government and economics for Western Europe was feudalism, also known as manorialism.  The feudal system arose in the 8th century in the Frankish kingdom (now France) as a way to protect against foreign invasions, especially invasions by Vikings ("Danes") from Scandinavia.  The Normans (descendants of Scandinavians and Franks from Normandy, France) brought feudalism to southern Italy and Sicily.  The Norman conquest of Britain in 1066 brought the feudal system to England, Scotland and Ireland.  Viking invasions lasted until the 10th century, by which time many Vikings had accepted Christianity and settled into civilizations of their own in northern Europe.  The end of the Viking raids enabled trade to increase in Western Europe.

The basic feudal system consisted of a "noble" or "lord" who possessed land (called a "fief") given by the king.  The lords lived in castles surrounded by moats, and rented their land out to "vassals."  Vassals were also considered nobles, but with less power.  They provided military service to the lords in exchange for protection and land, which they in turn rented out to the "peasants" or "serfs" to farm.  The system had some similarities to the plantation system used in the south in America before the Civil War, except the peasants and vassals were not always bound to their lord in Western Europe and thus were not slaves.  Instead, the peasants were sometimes bound to their land rather than to their "lord", and when one lord sold all the land to another lord, the peasants did not move.  Warfare amongst the various different estates was common under feudalism, due to the lack of any kind of centralized government, and peasants were required to fight for their lords against foreign invaders.  They were also required to provide their lord with a share of their crops while not fighting an invasion.   

The basic feudal system consisted of a "noble" or "lord" who possessed land (called a "fief") given by the king.  The lords lived in castles surrounded by moats, and rented their land out to "vassals."  Vassals were also considered nobles, but with less power.  They provided military service to the lords in exchange for protection and land, which they in turn rented out to the "peasants" or "serfs" to farm.  The system had some similarities to the plantation system used in the south in America before the Civil War, except the peasants and vassals were not always bound to their lord in Western Europe and thus were not slaves.  Instead, the peasants were sometimes bound to their land rather than to their "lord", and when one lord sold all the land to another lord, the peasants did not move.  Warfare amongst the various different estates was common under feudalism, due to the lack of any kind of centralized government, and peasants were required to fight for their lords against foreign invaders.  They were also required to provide their lord with a share of their crops while not fighting an invasion.   

|Offer to purchase tickets or meals for girls, and develop a work ethic to provide money for that

|Offer to purchase tickets or meals for girls, and develop a work ethic to provide money for that

|Dress modestly, not provocatively or suggestively.

|Dress modestly, not provocatively or suggestively.

|}

|}

The institution of marriage was strengthened by feudalism.  There was no place for unmarried adults, or polygamy, both of which plagued other cultural systems throughout history.

The institution of marriage was strengthened by feudalism.  There was no place for unmarried adults, or polygamy, both of which plagued other cultural systems throughout history.

The concept of "sportsmanship", which we hear so much about today, comes from the chivalry that developed during feudalism.  The chivalry of looking out for each other, and particularly for children and the elderly, became strong during feudalism.

The concept of "sportsmanship", which we hear so much about today, comes from the chivalry that developed during feudalism.  The chivalry of looking out for each other, and particularly for children and the elderly, became strong too.

Feudalism had much that many people miss today.  For example, people worked close to home, and there was no commuting or traveling to a job.  No one was "laid off" by a big company then and left without work.  Communities were strong and people defended each other against foreign enemies.  Families stayed close together.  Perhaps the roots of homeschooling are in feudalism!

Feudalism had much that many people miss today.  For example, people worked close to home, and there was no commuting or traveling to a job.  No one was "laid off" by a big company then and left without work.  Communities were strong and people defended each other against foreign enemies.  Families stayed close together.  Perhaps the roots of homeschooling are in feudalism!

However, like many idealistic things, chivalry was not followed if it became too inconvenient; for example, at the Battle of Agincourt, the English had taken a large number of prisoners (far outweighing their own men) when they received word of a new French force approaching. The English king, who was by all accounts an extremely pious man, immediately ordered the execution of all but the highest born of the prisoners, so that they wouldn't riot and assist in overpowering their captors.

However, like many idealistic things, chivalry was not followed if it became too inconvenient; for example, at the Battle of Agincourt, the English had taken a large number of prisoners (far outweighing their own men) when they received word of a new French force approaching. The English king, who was by all accounts an extremely pious man, immediately ordered the execution of all but the highest born of the prisoners, so that they wouldn't riot and assist in overpowering their captors.

Communism, which did not develop until the 20th century, is the exact opposite of chivalry:  under communism, everyone is treated the same or "equally", boys and girls, men and women, young and old.

Communism, which did not develop until the 20th century, is the exact opposite of chivalry:  under communism, everyone is treated the same or "equally": boys and girls, men and women, young and old.

==Feudalism and Religion in Japan==

==Feudalism and Religion in Japan==

Feudalism then developed in Japan as families began to acquire control over land and establish independent estates, just as the lords did in Western Europe.  The peasants were bound to both the land and their master in Japan.  Like medieval Europe, fortresses were constructed to protect the large estates and moats were even used to surround the fortress, for added protection.  An example of a family that built a large, independent estate was the Fujiwara.

Feudalism then developed in Japan as families began to acquire control over land and establish independent estates, just as the lords did in Western Europe.  The peasants were bound to both the land and their master in Japan.  Like medieval Europe, fortresses were constructed to protect the large estates and moats were even used to surround the fortress, for added protection.  An example of a family that built a large, independent estate was the Fujiwara.

The world's first psychological novel, "The Tale of Genji," was written in the 1000s by Lady Murasaki about Japanese culture during the Heian period (794-1185).  This was a period of great style in Japan with its center at the capital at Heian, where Kyoto is today.  Recently, in 1997, Kyoto became known as the place where many nations attempted to limit the alleged global warming through the "Kyoto Treaty" for reducing factory and car emissions, which the United States never ratified.

The world's first psychological novel, "The Tale of Genji," was written in the 1000s by Lady Murasaki about Japanese culture during the Heian period (794-1185).  This was a period of great style in Japan with its center at the capital at Heian, where Kyoto is today.  In 1997, Kyoto became known as the place where many nations attempted to limit the alleged global warming through the "Kyoto Treaty" for reducing factory and car emissions, which the United States never ratified.

Skilled military leaders or generals, known as "bushi", raised their own armies of "samurai" soldiers to protect their estates.  Like the chivalry in Western Europe, the samurai lived by a code of conduct known as the "bushido", meaning "the way of the warrior."  One difference is that bushido included a code for Japanese women to follow, which chivalry did not.  Bushido involved a ritual known as "seppuku", by which samurai committed suicide through self-disembowelment.  Seppuku was practiced when a warrior faced the prospect of dishonor, to avoid disloyalty, or to display protest.

Skilled military leaders or generals, known as "bushi", raised their own armies of "samurai" soldiers to protect their estates.  Like the chivalry in Western Europe, the samurai lived by a code of conduct known as the "bushido", meaning "the way of the warrior."  One difference is that bushido included a code for Japanese women to follow, which chivalry did not.  Bushido involved a ritual known as "seppuku", by which samurai committed suicide through self-disembowelment.  Seppuku was practiced when a warrior faced the prospect of dishonor, to avoid disloyalty, or to display protest.

Even more than in Western Europe, strict loyalty to one's lord was emphasized in Japan.  About a thousand years later this code would make the Japanese extremely tenacious fighters against Americans in World War II.  The bushido required the samurai never to retreat or surrender.  Family values were part of the bushido also.  A version of Buddhism developed that ensured salvation and heaven for those who lived upright lives.

Even more than in Western Europe, strict loyalty to one's lord was emphasized in Japan.  About a thousand years later this code would make the Japanese extremely tenacious fighters against Americans in World War II.  The bushido required the samurai never to retreat or surrender.  Family values were part of the bushido also.  A version of Buddhism developed that ensured salvation and heaven for those who lived upright lives.

For hundreds of years the aristocrats gained more and more land in Japan until A.D. 1185, when the Minamoto clan became the most powerful and announced that their leader would served as a military governor called a "shogun".  This clan then ruled Japan for nearly 400 years from its capital at Kamakura, which is south of present-day Tokyo.

For hundreds of years the aristocrats gained more and more land in Japan until A.D. 1185, when the Minamoto clan became the most powerful and announced that their leader would serve as a military governor called a "shogun".  This clan then ruled Japan for nearly 400 years from its capital at Kamakura, which is south of present-day Tokyo.

When the Minamoto clan seized power in the 12th century, they held onto it for a few hundred years.  Some of their emperors were children.  Civil war eventually erupted in Japan in 1467, and the country fell back into feudalism consisting of many tiny kingdoms, with each one ruled by a "daimyo".  The daimyo held the same role as the lords in the feudalism of Western Europe.

When the Minamoto clan seized power in the 12th century, they held onto it for a few hundred years.  Some of their emperors were children.  Civil war eventually erupted in Japan in 1467, and the country fell back into feudalism consisting of many tiny kingdoms, with each one ruled by a "daimyo".  The daimyo held the same role as the lords in the feudalism of Western Europe.

==America==

==America==

There were three noteworthy ancient American civilizations:

There were five noteworthy ancient American civilizations:

* Teotihuacan ([[Mexico]]) in A.D. 100-900

* Teotihuacan ([[Mexico]]) in A.D. 100-900

* Maya (modern-day [[Guatemala]]) in A.D. 300-900

* Maya (modern-day [[Guatemala]]) in A.D. 300-900

* Moche A.D. 200-700

* Moche in A.D. 200-700 (later became the important Incas)

They all engaged in human sacrifice, and all practiced [[polytheistic]] religions.  They shared a common belief in [[Quetzelcoatl]] (KWET-suhl-kuh-WA-tuhl), a god of the wind and air depicted as a feathered serpent.  The [[Aztec]] civilization, which came much later, also worshiped this god.  The Teotihuacan, Maya, and Moche civilizations also used a truncated [[pyramid]] similar to a [[ziggurat]], entertainment by ball-playing, and reliance on [[corn]] as a crop.  They are known as "Pre-Columbian" because they predate the arrival to the New World by [[Christopher Columbus]] in 1492.  Each of these civilizations is explained below, along with their proper pronunciations:

They all engaged in human sacrifice, and all practiced [[polytheistic]] religions.  They shared a common belief in [[Quetzelcoatl]] (KWET-suhl-kuh-WA-tuhl), a god of the wind and air depicted as a feathered serpent.  The [[Aztec]] civilization, which came much later, also worshiped this god.  The Teotihuacan, Maya, and Moche civilizations also used a truncated [[pyramid]] similar to a [[ziggurat]], entertainment by ball-playing, and reliance on [[corn]] as a crop.  They are known as "Pre-Columbian" because they predate the arrival to the New World by [[Christopher Columbus]] in 1492.  Each of these civilizations is explained below, along with their proper pronunciations:

=== The Teotihuacan ===

=== The Teotihuacan ===

   

   

The civilization of the Teotihuacan  (pronounced TA-oh-TEE-wuh-KHAN) (A.D. 100-900)followed the Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica, creating a large city totaling perhaps 200,000 people.  They worshiped gods of the sun and moon, as well as goddesses of rain and water.  People lived in barrios (suburbs or ghettos) around the city.  Like many ancient societies, they had an upper class of priests and nobles.   

The civilization of the Teotihuacan  (pronounced TA-oh-TEE-wuh-KHAN) (A.D. 100-900) followed the Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica, creating a large city totaling perhaps 200,000 people.  They worshiped gods of the sun and moon, as well as goddesses of rain and water.  People lived in barrios (suburbs or ghettos) around the city.  Like many ancient societies, they had an upper class of priests and nobles.   

=== The Maya ===

=== The Maya ===

The civilization of the Maya (MAH-yuh or MEYE-uh) (A.D. 300-900) in [[Central America]] was located on the Yucatan peninsula, which totaled 5-16 million people.  The [[Mayans]] have been called the "Greeks of the New World" by many historians.  The Mayans had some knowledge of [[mathematics]], [[astronomy]], ritual ball games for entertainment, and the use of their own pictographic language.  Unlike Europeans at the time, Mayans did understand the concept of [[zero]] just as the Indians in South Asia did.

The civilization of the Maya (MAH-yuh or MEYE-uh) (A.D. 300-900) in [[Central America]] was located on the Yucatan peninsula, which totaled 5-16 million people.  The [[Mayans]] have been called the "Greeks of the New World" by many historians.  The Mayans had some knowledge of [[mathematics]], [[astronomy]], ritual ballgames for entertainment, and the use of their own pictographic language.  Unlike Europeans at the time, Mayans did understand the concept of [[zero]] just as the Indians in South Asia did.

The Mayans used a yearly solar calendar that was perhaps more precise than the Roman (Julian) calendar, using 18 months and 20 days per month, which has almost the same number of days as our 365-day calendar.  The Mayans also built temples looking very similar to the ziggurats used in Mesopotamia, puzzling many historians.  The Mayans constructed a spectacular capital at Tikal and a worship center at Chichen Itza featuring the ziggurats.  For food, the Mayans grew maize (corn), squash and beans.  They also traded in stones, salt, honey and shells.  Like American Indians the Mayans had no coins or paper money, but sometimes traded in cacao (chocolate) beans.  Unlike the American Indians, the Mayans used a written language based on symbols or "glyphs", as in hieroglyphics.   

The Mayans used a yearly solar calendar that was perhaps more precise than the Roman (Julian) calendar, using 18 months and 20 days per month, which has almost the same number of days as our 365-day calendar.  The Mayans also built temples looking very similar to the ziggurats used in Mesopotamia, puzzling many historians.  The Mayans constructed a spectacular capital at Tikal and a worship center at Chichen Itza featuring the ziggurats.  For food, the Mayans grew maize (corn), squash and beans.  They also traded in stones, salt, honey and shells.  Like American Indians the Mayans had no coins or paper money, but sometimes traded in cacao (chocolate) beans.  Unlike the American Indians, the Mayans used a written language based on symbols or "glyphs", as in hieroglyphics.   

The Mayan religion was polytheistic and Mayans "appeased the gods" by sacrificing children to the gods.  The Mayans believed in creation as explained in their religious text named the "Popol Vuh," and the Mayans hoped that a god named Quetzalcoatl would return to rule in peace.  Wealthy women enjoyed some rights in the society and most women stayed in the home to raise children.

The Mayan religion was polytheistic and Mayans "appeased the gods" by sacrificing children to them.  The Mayans believed in creation as explained in their religious text named the "Popol Vuh," and the Mayans hoped that a god named Quetzalcoatl would return to rule in peace.  Wealthy women enjoyed some rights in the society and most women stayed in the home to raise children.

The reason for the decline of the Mayan civilization is unknown.  Mayan cities were abruptly abandoned in the 800s and by the mid-900s the civilization was just a shadow of its former self.  It disintegrated into independent towns, or city-states.  But today 4 million people still speak the Mayan language.   

The reason for the decline of the Mayan civilization is unknown.  Mayan cities were abruptly abandoned in the 800s and by the mid-900s the civilization was just a shadow of its former self.  It disintegrated into independent towns, or city-states.  But today 4 million people still speak the Mayan language.   

The Incas lacked a written language, which made it different from other civilizations.  Instead, the Incas used a large cord to administer their empire.  The "quipu" was a third cord that held together many different cords of various colors, shapes and sizes.  The cords kept an accounting of things in the empire, such as population.  The Incas had superb roads and system of messengers and soldiers to transmit messages and maintain order.  Stations existed along the roads for supplies, food, and overnight stays, like hotels.  Overall, the Incas were good administrators of their vast empire.

The Incas lacked a written language, which made it different from other civilizations.  Instead, the Incas used a large cord to administer their empire.  The "quipu" was a third cord that held together many different cords of various colors, shapes and sizes.  The cords kept an accounting of things in the empire, such as population.  The Incas had superb roads and system of messengers and soldiers to transmit messages and maintain order.  Stations existed along the roads for supplies, food, and overnight stays, like hotels.  Overall, the Incas were good administrators of their vast empire.

The Incas differed from the Aztecs in that the Incas did not demand tribute to fund the empire.  Instead, the Incas required people to work in "mita", which were shifts of mandatory farming, building, or mining.  Small groups formed ("ayllu") to do community projects.  Women cared for the households and did tasks like making clothes.  Like the Central American ("Mesoamerican") societies, daughters inherited from their mothers and sons inherited from their fathers, a system known as “parallel descent.”

The Incas differed from the Aztecs in that the Incas did not demand tribute to fund the empire.  Instead, the Incas required people to work in "mita", which were shifts of mandatory farming, building, or mining.  Small groups formed ("ayllu") to do community projects.  Women cared for the households and did tasks like making clothes.  Like the Central American ("Mesoamerican") societies, daughters inherited from their mothers and sons inherited from their fathers, under a system known as "parallel descent."

The Spanish called the Incas "big ears" because the wealthy (aristocrats) would wear earrings so heavy that they would stretch their ears.  The king, or "Inca", was considered to be a god who descended from the sun, while his main wife was considered to be from the moon.  Like the Egyptians, mummification was used to preserve the rulers after they died, and major decisions would even be made in the presence of the mummies to benefit from their wisdom.

The Spanish called the Incas "big ears" because the wealthy (aristocrats) would wear earrings so heavy that they would stretch their ears.  The king, or "Inca", was considered to be a god who descended from the sun, while his main wife was considered to be from the moon.  Like the Egyptians, mummification was used to preserve the rulers after they died, and major decisions would even be made in the presence of the mummies to benefit from their wisdom.