What Is Feudalism? Key Differences Between Chinese and European Systems
The word "feudalism" appears frequently in history classes, but its meaning differs drastically between East and West. In the West, it refers to a contractual relationship between lords and vassals , while in China, it meant a decentralized system where the king granted land to relatives and loyal officials to rule various regions. In this post, we’ll explore the differences between European feudalism and Chinese feudalism (封建制) , focusing on their structure, philosophy, and historical contexts. Feudalism in China: Zhou Dynasty’s Decentralized Governance In ancient China, feudalism (封建制) began under King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty, who stabilized the realm by granting territories to royal family members and meritorious subjects . These feudal lords (諸侯) enjoyed autonomy in their regions but were formally obligated to offer tribute and military aid to the Zhou king. Prominent feudal states: Lu, Song, Qi, Jin, Wei A layered hierarchy: Lords → Minist...