What Led to the Downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate

The Tokugawa Shogunate came into power in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu, after winning the great battle of Sekigahara, was able to claim the much sought after position of Shogun. They continued to rule Japan for the next 250 years.
There was a combination of factors that led to the demise of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The advantages that the rule of the Tokugawa bought to Japan, such as extended periods of peace and therefore the growth of trade and commerce was also the catalyst that bought this ruling family to its demise.
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