What triggered internal conflicts among samurai clans?

Internal conflicts among samurai clans were primarily triggered by power struggles, territorial disputes, and differing political ideologies.

The samurai clans of feudal Japan were not a unified group, but rather a collection of individual families and factions, each with their own interests and ambitions. This naturally led to a great deal of internal conflict, as each clan sought to increase its own power and influence. The most common cause of these conflicts was territorial disputes. As each clan sought to expand its own territory, it would inevitably come into conflict with other clans who had the same goal. These disputes often escalated into full-scale wars, with each side calling on its allies for support.

Another major cause of conflict among the samurai clans was differing political ideologies. The samurai were not just warriors, but also political leaders, and they had a great deal of influence over the governance of Japan. Different clans had different ideas about how the country should be run, and these differences often led to conflict. For example, some clans favoured a centralised government, while others preferred a more decentralised system. These ideological differences could not be easily resolved, and so they often led to violent conflict.

Power struggles were also a major cause of conflict among the samurai clans. The position of shogun, the military dictator of Japan, was highly coveted, and many clans sought to place one of their own members in this position. This led to a great deal of infighting and backstabbing, as each clan tried to outmanoeuvre the others and seize control of the shogunate. These power struggles were often brutal and bloody, and they caused a great deal of instability within the samurai class.

In conclusion, the internal conflicts among the samurai clans were caused by a combination of territorial disputes, differing political ideologies, and power struggles. These conflicts were a major feature of feudal Japan, and they had a profound impact on the country's history and development.