To what extent did social and economic change contribute to the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate?

Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that social and economic change contributed to the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate. They may adopt a chronological approach that contextualises social and economic factors in Tokugawa society prior to 1853 and then considers the subsequent impact of the treaties and events between 1854 and 1868. Candidates may offer equal coverage of the social and the economic changes, or they may prioritize their assessment of one. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Alternatively, candidates may choose a thematic approach and refer to aspects such as economic problems, the decline of the feudal system, the tozama clans, and foreign demands for trade. These need not all be covered or covered equally. While other, relevant, factors such as the political challenges to the Shogunate may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question. Candidates may agree, partly agree or disagree with the suggestion.