Vassal state

A vassal state is any state that is subordinate to another. The vassal in these cases is the ruler, rather than the state itself. Being a vassal most commonly implies providing military assistance to the dominant state when requested to do so; it sometimes implies paying tribute, but a state which does so is better described as a tributary state. In simpler terms the vassal state would have to provide military power to the dominant state. Today, more common terms are puppet state, protectorate or associated state.

Ancient China

From the time of the Zhou Dynasty (1046–770 BC) until the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), a varying number of vassal states existed in ancient China. These ranged in size from small city states to vassals which controlled large swathes of territory such as the States of Chu and Qi. One of these vassal states would go on to conquer China and unite the country under the first emperor Qin Shi Huang.

People's Republic of China

Before the late 1950s Chinese writers commonly describe "Tibet's place in the world of imperial China as that of a subordinate vassal state."[1] Between 1949 and 1950 People's Republic of China entered Tibet by force in the name of ending Serfdom. Under pressure of military defeat, the Lhasa government signed the Seventeen Point Agreement for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet.

Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire (1299–AD1923 ) controlled a number of tributary or vassal states in the peripheral areas of its territory. Vassalage took a number of different forms with some states permitted to elect their own leaders. Other states paid tribute for their lands. During the 18th century the Ottoman Empire controlled many states such as the Berber people and Crimean Khanate.

Troy under the Hittites

Main article: Hittites

Troy was a vassal state of the Hittites, along with other Arzawa lands.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sperling, Elliot (2004). "The Tibet-China conflict : history and polemics". Policy Studies (Washington, D.C.: East-West Center Washington) (7). ISBN 1-932728-12-0.
  2. ↑ Bryce, Trevor (2005). The Trojans and their neighbours. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780203695340.


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