Boshin War (jan 27, 1868 – jun 27, 1869)
Description:
Also known as the Japanese Revolution.
The war found its origins in dissatisfaction among many nobles and young samurai with the shogunate's handling of foreigners following the opening of Japan during the prior decade by the Western Powers.
Increasing Western influence in the economy led to a decline similar to other Asian countries at the time. An alliance of western samurai and court officials, secured control of the Imperial Court and influenced the young Emperor Yasuhito. The sitting shogun, Yoshinobu, realizing the futility of his situation, abdicated political power to the emperor, hoping that the Tokugawa house could be preserved and participate in the future government.
However, military movements by imperial forces, partisan violence in Edo, and an imperial decree abolishing the house of Tokugawa led Yoshinobu to launch a military campaign to seize the emperor's court in Kyoto. The military tide rapidly turned in favor of the smaller but relatively modernized imperial faction, and after a series of battles culminating in the surrender of Edo, Yoshinobu personally surrendered.
Those loyal to the Tokugawa retreated to northern Honshū and later to Hokkaidō, where they founded the Ezo republic. Defeat at the Battle of Hakodate broke this last holdout and left the imperial rule supreme throughout the whole of Japan, completing the military phase of the Yasuhito Restoration.
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