World Civilizations
Who are the Jesuits?
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Society of Jesus
1534—Ignatius of Loyola
Part of the Counter-Reformation
Become powerful force in Catholic
Europe
Resentments among both
secular/spiritual elements in society
Missions in Latin America
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Very controversial
Seen as interfering with local colonial affairs
Took unpopular positions toward native
groups
Territories in Paraguay were essentially selfgoverning
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Nominal Spanish control
Operated on a theocratic model
Jesuit Missions
Modern Paraguay
Role of Politics
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Spanish/Portuguese in the New World
Competing empires
By 18th century, both empires were in
significant decline.
Depend on wealth flowing from New World to
support imperial policies at home.
Life in colonies was very hierarchical
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Very clear social structure
Treaty of Madrid
Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)
Feudal Japan
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Period of considerable political
instability
Emperor and Shogun (Emperor’s
representative) had limited power.
Authority was very decentralized in
hands of local warlords.
Warlords employed private armies to
increase power
Samurai
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Japanese warrior class
Selective group—in a hierarchical
society
Bushido Code
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Way of life
Samurai limited by societal
requirements
Relationship with peasantry
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Lower rung of social hierarchy than
samurai
Taxed heavily throughout this period in
Japanese history
Rice tax
Samurai typically paid in rice
Creates resentment on both sides
Akira Kurosawa
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Tells very effective story about
Japanese history
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Tale of social pressures and hierarchical
divisions
Reveals much about the social tensions in
feudal Japan.
Also talking about modern Japan.
Initial Questions about the film
Medieval period in Japan
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Time of constant warfare
Feudal lords and other samurai
constantly fighting
Daimyos or warlords have real control in
Japan.
Daimyos with most samurai control
most territory.
Who are Samurai?
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Military elite in Japanese society
Comes from Japanese word “to serve”
Aspire to rise to status of Diamyo
Typical role was similar to a knight in
European feudal society.
Adherence to the seven virtues
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Morality, courage, benevolence, respect,
honesty, honor, loyalty
Concept of Bushido
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Way of the warrior
Emphasized role of samurai in Japanese
society
Role of peasant farmers
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Backbone of Japanese society
Produce food for upper classes in
society
Heavily exploited—high taxes
Win and lose in times of instability
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No central administration to tax
Vulnerable to attack by rogue groups of
samurai
Relationship between samurai
and farmers
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Mutual distrust
Farmers feel heavily exploited by upper
classes
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Unfair taxes
Repressive social structure
Samurai feel that farmers are cheating them
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Hoarding goods
Not living up to obligations
Lack respectability
Andrei Rublev
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Discussion of early Russian history
Focus on the Eastern and Western roots
of Russia
Role of religion of historic and modern
Russia.
Who was Andrei Rublev?
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Considered greatest of Russian medieval icon
painters.
Little is really known about his life other than
his works.
He is little more than a vehicle to carry the
story forward.
Reflects link between political and religious
life in Russian society.
Can also be used as a metaphor for modern
Russia.
Russian history background
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Russians descended from a people
known as the Roos—centered in
Ukraine.
Heavily influenced by Viking trading
partnerships.
Russian peoples expanded territory
from 10th to 12th centuries, but not
politically united.
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Most powerful leader of Rus was
Vladimir
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Received delegations from various religions
hoping to convert the Russians.
Vladimir choses Greek Orthodox faith
Establishes ties to Byzantine Empire
After Vladimir, Kiev will decline in
significance.
Emergence of Mongol Rule
(1240’s-1480)
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Mongol armies from East invade Russia
in 1200’s.
Russian cities become tribute paying
territories with part of Mongol Empire
known as the Golden Horde.
Russia is remote from the West at this
time.
Time of relative peace and prosperity.
Russian liberation
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Increasingly prosperous Russian cities
grow in power and influence.
Led by Moscow, Mongol forces will be
gradually driven out of Russia.
Under leadership of Ivan the Great all of
Northern Russia would be brought
under Moscow’s control and the
Mongols ejected.
Life in 15th century Russia
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Short, hard and brutal.
Important to Understanding
Film
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Be Patient!!! Slow pacing
Watch for look at medieval Russian life.
Watch more than once. This is a dense film.
Don’t expect a traditional narrative
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More like a series of short stories held together by
a common theme
Be warned! Nudity and mistreatment of
animals.