The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the Edo period, had ruled Japan for over two centuries. However, by the mid-19th century, Japan faced significant challenges that ultimately led to the downfall of the shogunate.

One of the key factors was social unrest. The strict social hierarchy of the feudal system, with samurai at the top and peasants at the bottom, resulted in discontent among lower classes. This dissatisfaction was further exacerbated by economic changes, including a decline in agricultural productivity and a widening wealth gap. Moreover, the shogunate's policies of isolationism limited foreign trade and created economic stagnation.

Western powers also played a role in the decline of the shogunate. Prior to the Meiji Restoration, the arrival of Western traders, most notably Commodore Matthew Perry's expedition in 1853, forced Japan to confront its vulnerability to foreign influence. The Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854 compelled Japan to open its ports to trade with the West, undermining the shogunate's legitimacy.

These social, economic, and external pressures weakened the shogunate and paved the way for the final blow that ended its rule.