Which aspects of feudalism do you think had the greatest effect on these outcomes (of
Western and Japanese society)? Explain you reasoning.

Feudalism was the medieval model of government predating the birth of the modern nation-state. Feudal society is a military hierarchy in which a ruler or lord offers mounted fighters a fief (medieval beneficium), a unit of land to control in exchange for a military service. The individual who accepted this land became a vassal, and the man who granted the land become known as his liege or his lord. The deal was often sealed by swearing oaths on the Bible or on the relics of saints. Often this military service amounted to forty days' service each year in times of peace or indefinite service in times of war, but the actual terms of service and duties varied considerably on a case-by-case basis. Factors such as the quality of land, the skill of the fighter, local custom, and the financial status of the liege lord always played a part. For instance, in the late medieval period, this military service was often abandoned in preference for cash payment, or agreement to provide a certain number of men-at-arms or mounted knights for the lord's use.

Explanation:

America’s economic advantages—abundant natural resources, a stable government with relatively lax regulations, and a large workforce—made it the dominant industrial power by the 20th century. Massive corporations made huge profits, enriching their owners. On the other hand, many workers suffered low wages and unsafe conditions and ethnic and racial minorities benefitted little from economic growth.