The Meiji Restoration was a political revolution in 1868 that ended the Tokugawa Shogunate and restored practical imperial rule to Japan under Emperor Meiji.

It was led by a group of ambitious young samurai from the outer domains who were dissatisfied with the shogunate's handling of the foreign threat.

The rallying cry of the movement was 'sonnō jōi' ('Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians').

After a brief civil war (the Boshin War), the shogunate was overthrown, and the emperor was moved from Kyoto to the new capital of Tokyo (formerly Edo).

The new Meiji government was committed to a policy of rapid modernization and industrialization.

Their goal was to strengthen Japan to resist Western imperialism, guided by the slogan 'Fukoku kyōhei' ('Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Army').

The government sent missions to Europe and the United States to study Western technology, government, and institutions.

Feudalism was abolished, and a modern, conscripted army was created.

The Meiji Restoration transformed Japan from a feudal, isolated society into a modern, industrial world power.

It is a rare example of a 'revolution from above,' led by members of the traditional ruling class.