Essay Database

The Tokugawa Shogunate came into power in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu, after winning the great battle of Sekigahara, was able to claim the much sought after position of Shogun. They continued to rule Japan for the next 250 years. There was a combination of factors that led to the demise of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The advantages that the rule of the Tokugawa bought to Japan, such as extended periods of peace and therefore the growth of trade …

…populace through all classes and the increasing presence the western world eventually proved too much and allowed the Satsuma and Choshu opposing clans to restore imperial administration. This led after some minor warfare to the resignation of the last Shogun. I think we can determine from this slice of history that a ridged government does not necessary cause things to stay stagnant but almost because of it inflexible position eventually brings about it own decline.