In 1868 the Tokogawa shogun ("great general"), who ruled Japan in the feudal period lost his power and the emperor was restored to the supreme position. ... Japans success in modernisation has created great interest in why and how it was able to adopt Western political, social, and economic institutions in such a short time. ... The Meiji Restoration brought great changes both within Japan and in Japan's place in world affairs. ... Japans democratic political system continued to evolve under the Meiji constitution, but then is unable to meet the dual changes of economic depression and ...

• Word Count: 1593
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate