【幕末】189 忙しい人のための幕末【日本史】

Summary

The video discusses the transition from the Tokugawa shogunate to the Meiji era, focusing on the end of the Edo period. It highlights key political changes, including the shift from shogunate rule to emperor-centered politics. The Tokugawa shogunate faced internal conflicts, foreign pressures, and the rise of factions like Sonno Joi and Kobu-gattai. The narrative covers pivotal events such as the Sakuradamongai Incident, the Bombardment of Kagoshima, and the Satsuma-Choshu Alliance. The culmination of these struggles led to the downfall of the shogunate, with the Imperial Court regaining control, marking the end of the Edo period and the start of the Meiji era.

Takeaways

• 😀 The end of the Edo period marked a significant transformation in Japan's political structure, shifting from Shogunate-centered politics to Emperor-centered politics.
• 😀 The Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled during the Edo period, was structured in a pyramid, with the Shogun at the top, followed by the ROJU, and then regional domains.
• 😀 Powerful domains, known as major domains, began to question the Shogunate's power, eventually leading them to support the idea of the Imperial Court being at the top of the political hierarchy.
• 😀 The Tokugawa Shogunate faced pressure from Western powers, especially in 1853 when Commodore Perry demanded Japan open its ports, which forced the Shogunate to involve the Imperial Court and major domains in decision-making.
• 😀 The Shogunate’s internal conflict between old powers (the Shogunate leaders) and new powers (the Imperial Court and major domains) contributed to its downfall.
• 😀 The assassination of Naosuke Ii, a powerful Shogunate leader, during the Sakuradamongai Incident weakened the Shogunate's authority and led to greater political instability in Japan.
• 😀 The Sonno Joi movement, which called for politics centered on the Emperor and the expulsion of foreigners, gained popularity, while the more moderate Kobu-gattai movement sought cooperation between the Shogunate and the Imperial Court.
• 😀 The Tokugawa Shogunate's political strategy of Kobu-gattai included arranging the marriage of the Imperial Princess Kazunomiya to the Shogun, a move that angered the Sonno Joi faction.
• 😀 The Satsuma Domain, after an incident with the British, realized the futility of expelling foreigners and shifted its policy towards supporting the opening of Japan and the overthrow of the Shogunate.
• 😀 The Satsuma and Chōshū Domains eventually formed an alliance, with key figures like Ryoma Sakamoto and Shintaro Nakaoka playing vital roles in connecting the two, leading to the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the rise of the Meiji era.

Q & A

What is the significance of the end of the Edo period in Japanese history?

The end of the Edo period marks the transition from the Tokugawa shogunate's rule to a system centered around the Emperor of Japan, which led to the establishment of the Meiji era and Japan's modernization.

How did the political structure in Japan change during the end of the Edo period?

The political structure shifted from being shogunate-centered to imperial court-centered. Before, the Tokugawa shogunate held power, but during the end of the Edo period, the imperial court and Emperor took the central role in politics.

What was the role of the Shogunate during the Edo period?

The Tokugawa shogunate controlled politics during the Edo period, operating within a pyramid structure where the shogun was at the top, followed by the ROJU (political advisors), and domains that controlled regional affairs.

Why did the Tokugawa shogunate begin to lose power during the end of the Edo period?

The Tokugawa shogunate lost power due to external pressures from Western countries, particularly after Commodore Perry's arrival in 1853, and internal conflicts as new factions like the imperial court and powerful domains sought more political influence.

What event marked the first significant foreign pressure on Japan during this period?

The arrival of Commodore Perry in 1853 was a significant event that pressured Japan to open its borders, changing the political and diplomatic dynamics of the country.

What were the two main ideological factions that emerged during this time, and what did they stand for?

The two main factions were Sonno Joi, which advocated for the restoration of the Emperor's rule and the expulsion of foreigners, and Kobu-gattai, which sought a partnership between the Shogunate and the Imperial Court to overcome political challenges.

What was the role of Ii Naosuke in the Edo period, and how did his actions contribute to the Shogunate's decline?

Ii Naosuke was a high-ranking official who attempted to suppress the rise of new forces like the imperial court and powerful domains. His execution of dissidents and resistance to political reform led to his assassination in the Sakuradamongai Incident, weakening the Shogunate.

What was the Sakuradamongai Incident, and how did it affect the Tokugawa shogunate?

The Sakuradamongai Incident was the assassination of Ii Naosuke, a key figure of the Shogunate. His death marked a major turning point, leading to a decline in the Shogunate's authority and escalating political unrest.

How did the Satsuma and Chōshū domains change their policies regarding foreign influence?

After realizing the futility of expelling foreigners, both the Satsuma and Chōshū domains shifted their policies to support the opening of Japan and the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate. This ideological shift was a significant step toward the Meiji Restoration.

What was the Satsuma-Chōshū Alliance, and how did it contribute to the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate?

The Satsuma-Chōshū Alliance was a political and military coalition between the Satsuma and Chōshū domains that aimed to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate. Their cooperation, including key figures like Ryoma Sakamoto, helped tip the balance of power and led to the eventual collapse of the Shogunate.