Second Chōshū expedition
Encyclopedia
The Second Chōshū expedition (Japanese:第二次長州征討), also called the Summer War, was a punitive expedition
led by the Tokugawa Shogunate
against the Chōshū Domain. It followed the First Chōshū expedition
of 1864.
The Second Chōshū expedition was announced on 6 March 1865. The operation started on 7 June 1866 with the bombardment of Suō-Ōshima, Yamaguchi
by the Navy of the Bakufu.
The expedition ended in military disaster for the Shogunate troops, as Chōshū forces were modernized and organised effectively. By contrast, the Shogunate army was composed of antiquated feudal forces from the Bakufu and numerous neighbouring domains, with only small elements of modernised units. Many domains only put up half-hearted efforts, and several refused Shogunate orders to attack outright, notably Satsuma who had by this point entered into an alliance with Choshu.
Tokugawa Yoshinobu
, the new Shogun, managed to negotiate a ceasefire after the death of the previous Shogun
, but the defeat fatally weakened the Shogunate's prestige. Tokugawa military prowess was revealed to be a paper tiger, and it became apparent that the Shogunate could no longer impose its will upon the domains. The disastrous campaign is often seen to have sealed the fate of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
The defeat stimulated the Bakufu in making numerous reforms to modernize its administration and army. Yoshinobu' younger bother Ashitake was sent to the 1867 Paris Exposition, Western dress replaced Japanese dress at the Shogunal court, and collaboration with the French was reinforced leading to the 1867 French military mission to Japan.
Punitive expedition
A punitive expedition is a military journey undertaken to punish a state or any group of persons outside the borders of the punishing state. It is usually undertaken in response to perceived disobedient or morally wrong behavior, but may be also be a covered revenge...
led by the Tokugawa Shogunate
Tokugawa shogunate
The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the and the , was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. This period is known as the Edo period and gets its name from the capital city, Edo, which is now called Tokyo, after the name was...
against the Chōshū Domain. It followed the First Chōshū expedition
First Chōshū expedition
The First Chōshū expedition was a punitive military expedition led by the Tokugawa Shogunate against the Chōshū Domain in retaliation for the attack of Chōshū on the Imperial Palace in the Hamaguri rebellion. The First Chōshū expedition was launched on 1 September 1864.The conflict finally led to...
of 1864.
The Second Chōshū expedition was announced on 6 March 1865. The operation started on 7 June 1866 with the bombardment of Suō-Ōshima, Yamaguchi
Suo-Oshima, Yamaguchi
is a town located in Ōshima District, Yamaguchi, Japan.Suō-Ōshima was formed on October 1, 2004 from the merger of the former towns of Ōshima, Kuka, Tachibana and Tōwa, all from towns of Ōshima District....
by the Navy of the Bakufu.
The expedition ended in military disaster for the Shogunate troops, as Chōshū forces were modernized and organised effectively. By contrast, the Shogunate army was composed of antiquated feudal forces from the Bakufu and numerous neighbouring domains, with only small elements of modernised units. Many domains only put up half-hearted efforts, and several refused Shogunate orders to attack outright, notably Satsuma who had by this point entered into an alliance with Choshu.
Tokugawa Yoshinobu
Tokugawa Yoshinobu
was the 15th and last shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan. He was part of a movement which aimed to reform the aging shogunate, but was ultimately unsuccessful...
, the new Shogun, managed to negotiate a ceasefire after the death of the previous Shogun
Shogun
A was one of the hereditary military dictators of Japan from 1192 to 1867. In this period, the shoguns, or their shikken regents , were the de facto rulers of Japan though they were nominally appointed by the emperor...
, but the defeat fatally weakened the Shogunate's prestige. Tokugawa military prowess was revealed to be a paper tiger, and it became apparent that the Shogunate could no longer impose its will upon the domains. The disastrous campaign is often seen to have sealed the fate of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
The defeat stimulated the Bakufu in making numerous reforms to modernize its administration and army. Yoshinobu' younger bother Ashitake was sent to the 1867 Paris Exposition, Western dress replaced Japanese dress at the Shogunal court, and collaboration with the French was reinforced leading to the 1867 French military mission to Japan.