Knowing that false charges were being brought against Choshu clan, witnessing the hostility between the major clans that was causing more harm than good, and seeing the suppression of the restoration activists, Shintaro changed from acting to protect the Emperor and exile barbarians to actively working to overthrow the shogunate by force (according to a letter written by Shintaro NAKAOKA at about this time).
長州藩への冤罪・雄藩同士の有害無益な対立・志士たちへの弾圧を目の当たりにして、活動方針を単なる尊皇攘夷論から雄藩連合による武力倒幕論に発展させる（中岡慎太郎自身のこの頃の手紙による）。