The Boshin War

The Boshin War (1868-1869) was a civil conflict in Japan between the ruling Tokugawa shogunate and forces seeking to restore political power to the emperor. The shogunate aimed to maintain traditional samurai-led governance, while the rebels, known as the imperialists, wanted to modernize Japan and restore imperial authority. The war ended with the defeat of the shogunate, leading to the Meiji Restoration and rapid modernization of Japan. It marked a pivotal shift from feudal rule to a centralized, modern state, setting Japan on a path toward becoming a major world power.