Which event most directly led to the Meiji Restoration?(1 point)
Shinto
sakoku
Boshin War
Ansei great earthquakes
Boshin War.
The event that most directly led to the Meiji Restoration was the Boshin War.
The event that most directly led to the Meiji Restoration was the Boshin War.
To understand why the Boshin War led to the Meiji Restoration, let's break it down step by step:
1. Firstly, we need to understand what the Meiji Restoration is. The Meiji Restoration refers to the period in Japanese history when political power was restored to the Emperor and the feudal shogunate system was overthrown. It marked a period of modernization and westernization in Japan.
2. The Boshin War was a civil war that took place in Japan from 1868 to 1869. It was fought between forces supporting the ruling Tokugawa shogunate and those in favor of restoring power to the Emperor.
3. Prior to the Boshin War, Japan had a policy of isolation known as "sakoku." This policy, which lasted from the 17th to the mid-19th century, limited foreign contact and trade with the outside world.
4. However, in the mid-19th century, Japan faced increasing pressure from foreign powers, particularly the United States, to open up its borders for trade. The arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry's U.S. expedition in 1853 signaled the end of sakoku.
5. As a result of these external pressures, as well as internal conflicts and challenges, the ruling Tokugawa shogunate began to lose legitimacy and support. Dissatisfaction among various factions led to the Boshin War.
6. The Boshin War resulted in the defeat of the shogunate forces by the Imperial loyalists. This victory led to the restoration of political power to the Emperor, marking the beginning of the Meiji Restoration.
In summary, the Boshin War directly led to the Meiji Restoration by overthrowing the Tokugawa shogunate and restoring political power to the Emperor.