Society in the Japanese "Tokugawa period" (Edo society), unlike the shogunates before it, was based on the strict class hierarchy originally established by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The daimyo, or lords, were at the top, followed by the warrior-caste of samurai, with the farmers, artisans, and traders ranking below. In some parts of the country, particularly smaller regions, daimyo and samurai were more or less identical, since daimyo might be trained as samurai, and samurai might act as local lords. Otherwise, the largely inflexible nature of this social stratification system unleashed disruptive forces over time. Taxes on the peasantry were set at fixed amounts which did not account for inflation or other changes in monetary value. As a result, the tax revenues collected by the samurai landowners were worth less and less over time. This often led to numerous confrontations between noble but impoverished samurai and well-to-do peasants, ranging from simple local disturbances to much bigger rebellions. None, however, proved compelling enough to seriously challenge the established order until the arrival of foreign powers. COUNT 10
QSN1 What was society based on during the Tukugawa period? ANS1 strict class hierarchy QSN2 Strict class hierarchy was established by who? ANS2 Toyotomi Hideyoshi QSN3 What group were considered to be at the top of the Strict Class Hierarchy? ANS3 The daimyo, or lords QSN4 How were taxes charged during the Tukugawa period? ANS4 set at fixed amounts QSN5 What effect did  having taxes charged at a fixed amount have on it's revenue? ANS5 tax revenues collected by the samurai landowners were worth less and less over time. QSN6 What is the Tokugawa period also known as? ANS6 Edo society QSN7 What was society in  the Tokugawa period based in? ANS7 strict class hierarchy QSN8 What group was considered at the top of the Strict Class Society? ANS8 The daimyo, or lords, QSN9 What effect did the way the taxes were charged have on it's revenue. ANS9 revenues collected by the samurai landowners were worth less and less over time. QSN10 How were taxes charged in the Tokugawa period? ANS10 set at fixed amounts