The "civilized behavior" of warfare might sound like a contradiction in terms. But think about war. Large scale ared conflict was an organized effort to reach a specific purpose. There was a hierarchy of ranks. There was a specialization of labor with foot soldiers, cavalry, and archers. There was money to buy weapons and armor. There were plans and objectives. There was a method of communication to send and receive news of victories and defeats. There was an overall policy that directed the entire effort. Significantly, these characteristics of war can also be used to describe a civilization.
Why were wars fought? For profits? For land? For ideas, such as religion or a cultural destiny? For status?
How did the organization of warfare reflect the growth and organization of civilized societies?
As you read about Japan think about the conditions that allowed the samurai to flourish. Think also of how fundamental those conditions were to the existence of civilized life.
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2. Interpretation of Images.
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