How did the Tokugawa unify Japan?
Answers
The Tokugawa unified Japan by maintaining a strong feudal presence after Tokugawa Ieyasu took control of Japan. Tokugawa Ieyasu already held a stronghold in Edo (future Tokyo) and continued his military campaign against Toyotomi's last stronghold in Osaka. A major reason Tokugawa was able to seize control initially was the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Without central leadership, the Toyotomi were weakened, which gave Tokugawa the upper hand and the opportunity to develop enough momentum to eradicate the majority of his opposition and those loyal to the Toyotomi. Once Tokugawa had complete control, he maintained unity in Japan by putting limitations on the size of other military forces and by developing a close relationship with the emperor.