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Enomoto Takeaki (1836-1908) was a Japanese politician who fought against
the new Meiji government, declaring Hokkaido (Ezo) as an independent nation.
After studying abroad in the Netherlands, he was promoted to Kaigun
Fukusosai, the second highest rank in the Tokugawa Shogunate Navy,
established in 1860s.
In 1868, when the Meiji government occupied Edo, he refused to deliver
warships to the government, and escaped to Hakodate with the fleet. They
hope to found a state reigned by Tokugawa family in Hokkaido, but the Meiji
government refused their request. In 25 December, they declared foundation
of the Republic of Hokkaido (Ezo Kyowakoku), and elected Enomoto as
resident.
The next year, the Meiji Governmental Army and Navy invaded Hokkaido and
defeated the former Shogunate Army and Navy of the Republic. 18 May 1869 the
Republic gave in, and Hokkaido accepted the Meiji Emperor's rule.
Enomoto was allowed the crime in 1872 and appointed as the government
official of the Hokkaido agency. In 1874, he was promoted to Vice Admiral of
the newly established Imperial Japanese Navy, and dispatched to Russia as
Minister Plenipotentiary. He successively held the high position of
government, until he died.
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