H381 The Bakumatsu Era: Pivotal Moments

1854 Treaty of Kanagawa signed

1858 Townshend Harris's Commercial Treaty proposed by U.S.

Hotta takes it to Kyoto for Imperial approval

1858-9 Ansei Purge: Ii Naosuke, fudai daimyo of Hizen, replaces Hotta; becomes Tairo

1860 Ii Assassinated outside Shogun's palace

1861 Shishi attack, kill Harris' interpreter

1862 Shishi attacks kills Mr. Richardson, from G.B.

1863 Summer, Fall Anglo-American-French Dutch combined fleet attacks Satsuma and Choshu; thereafter,

Sat-Cho send students to G.B.

1864 summer: pitched battle in Kyoto between shishi from Choshu and Satsuma and Aizu gaurd units--many shishi killed

fall: bakufu sends 1st Punitive Expedition v. Choshu

1866 Sakamoto Ryoma mediates between Sat-Cho: anti-Bakufu Alliance

Bakufu calls for 2nd Punitive Expediton--little support

Keiki becomes Shogun; launches "last ditch' reform program

1867 Sakamoto Plan put forth

Keiki agrees to step down as Shogun

1868 Sat-Cho-To-Hi group moves against bakufu (Jan.)

April Charter Oath issued