Bartholomew Fair Daily Home

1. Muslims recapture the Holy Land
2. Minamoto family wins a civil war in Japan
3. New European universities founded
4. European churches built in startling new style
5. Angkor Wat completed in Khmer kingdom
6. Shona people build splendid city
7. Anasazi erect immense communal houses
8. Western European philosophers debate ideas of Aristotle

2. Minamoto family wins a civil war in Japan

The Minamoto warrior family established itself as Japan's military and civil rulers after defeating the Taira clan in the Gempei War (1180-1185). This defeat marked the end of the 25-year Taira reign. The rise of the Minamoto led to a Japanese warrior government called a shogunate in 1192, and increased the power of Japan's hereditary warriors called samurai. The Minamoto have governed effectively, which offers a chance for national stability.

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