Negative Effects of European Feudalism

In the Middle Ages, feudalism was a form of government that contributed to many changes worldwide. Both Japan and Europe used this political system in which monarchs and lesser nobles made alliances based on exchanging land grants for loyalty. Although the different backgrounds of Japan and Europe influenced the development of their own separate feudalistic systems, each country’s system had many similarities along with differences. However, when compared to Japan, Europe’s feudal system had a greater negative effect on Europe’s culture than Japan. Based on feudalism, the strict separation and segregation of Europe’s social classes served only to hinder the development of its society. Also, due to the small number of educated people in Europe and the absence of meritocracy, intellect had little to do with feudalism and prevented culture from developing. Finally, the limits Europe placed on religious diversity brought down the level of its culture significantly. These weaknesses in Europe’s feudal system affected the future of the continent as a whole.

Europe and Japan separated their social classes differently. An extraordinary amount of each nation’s social structure was peasants.

. . .
These people made up most of the population of Europe, meaning that almost all of Europe was uneducated.

Another example of cultural detriment in Europe was the fact that personal intelligence did not matter when being ranked in the feudalistic system. With the greater part of Europe unhappy, the opportunity for cultural advances was stunted and restrained. Contrary to Europe, in Japan, many unique systems, laws, structures, and religions allowed and embraced cultural development. However, in Japan, many types of religion were accepted, including Zen, Buddhism, and Shinto.

The specific and isolated classes of Europe’s social scale held Europe back from making advances in its culture. Due to the lack of education and training in the peasants’ lives, superior officials of Europe’s feudal hierarchy made most decisions and choices for them. In addition, Christianity, the enforced religion of Europe, prevented many people from developing personal beliefs and diversified systems to contribute to their country’s culture. This included peasants in Europe getting heavily taxed, unlike nobles, knights, and other higher-ranking people, and most receiving few options for jobs. Going against the Christian church could result in ridicule, excommunication, and in some cases, fatal tragedies.

Another impairment to European culture was the lack of acceptance for religious diversity. Although this is less evident today, it has still made a lasting effect on Europe and its culture. These officials based their decisions on their judgment and for their own good, not for that of the peasants and the people for whom they were making decisions. The lack of literacy among most of Europe’s population was a major cultural setback, allowing only the small percentage of people who were educated to form a culture that would live on forever.

Common topics in this essay:
Europe Japan, Meritocracy Japanese, Ages Europe, Christian Church, Japan Based, Japan Europe, Buddhism Shinto, Middle Ages, Japan Europes, cultural development, christian church, population europe, religious diversity, european peasants, europes feudal, europes feudal system, japan europe, lack education, feudal system, peasants europe,

Approximate Word count = 836
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Already a member? Click here