Reasons for Meiji Restoration

Long-term weaknesses of the Tokugawa Shogunate

Discontent among social classes
military class
peasants
merchants
Intellectual trends
Rangaku (Dutch Studies)
Kokugaku (National Studies)
Opening of Japan to Western trade
Imposition of unequal treaties
opening of port cities
tariff controls
extraterritorial rights
Immediate socioeconomic effects
inflation
rice riots and violent campaigns
Overthrow of the Tokugawa Shogunate
Defeat of the bakufu in the Boshin War
Establishment of new government
Political responses to the opening up of Japan

Sonno joi movement

assassinations
Bombardment of Kagoshima (Satsuma)
Failed attempts of Chōshū to seize power
Sat-cho Alliance
Decision to modernize Japan
Strengthened military power using Western warfare