The Changing Role of the Samurai in Feudal Japan
Unit 3: Land-Based Empires (1450-1750)
Explain how rulers used a variety of methods to legitimize and consolidate their power in land-based empires
from 1450 to 1750.
Recruitment and use of bureaucratic elites, as well as the development of military professionals, became
more common among rulers who wanted to maintain centralized control over their populations and resources
Bureaucratic elites or military professionals:
● Ottoman devshirme
● Salaried samurai
Our Inquiry Questions:
● How did the Tokugawa Shogunate legitimize and consolidate their power from 1450 to
1750?
● How and why did the role of Japanese samurai change over time?
Part I: Define Key Terms
First, you must understand some specific terms before we begin. Define the terms on your
sheet to have a better understanding of the Japanese terms that are important to this lesson.
Part II: Add to your Land-Based Empires Graphic Organizer
Use this presentation to complete the information on your land-based empires graphic
organizer.
Part III: Read the Samurai Article
Visit the samurai article by clicking HERE. Next, answer the questions on your handout.
Part IV: Written Summary
Using the presentation and the information you learned in this activity, answer the two prompts
on your handout:
●
●
Analyze the extent to which the role of samurai changed from 1100 C.E to 1850 C.E..
How did the Tokugawa Shogunate legitimize and consolidate their power from 1450 to
1750?
Part V: Closer Comparison
Using your notes, compare the political organization and methods of consolidation utilized by
both the Ottoman Empire and Tokugawa Japan.