The Legacy of Matthew C. Perry

When Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Japan in 1853, the Japanese at first attempted to simply adapt to the treaties of the west rather than resisting. But this idea ultimately failed and the Japanese gave in and trade was granted, ending Japan’s isolationist policy (Japan and the West Slideshow). More western countries won trading and other rights, and some people bitterly criticized the shogun for “not taking a strong stand against the foreigners” (Japan Modernizes). In 1867, unhappy daimyo and samurai led a revolt that got rid of the shogun and restored the emperor to power, ending the Tokugawa Shogunate and beginning the Meiji

The tension between the United States and Japan all began over the differences of China back in the 1930’s. The country of Manchuria, which was then a part of China, was conquered by Japan. Instead of stopping there, Japan wanted more; they wanted all of China. So in 1940, the government of Japan made an alliance with Germany. The following year, the Japanese government took over Indochina.

Even though the direct result of the Treaty of Portsmouth was that it brought an end to the Russo-Japanese war, there were many other consequences. Japan acquired the lands of Manchuria and Korea while Russia was able to keep a portion of Sakhalin Island. President Roosevelt not only won the Nobel Peace Prize for his action, but this started an international relationship between Japan and the United States. As both of their influences and beliefs spread through Asia, they both agreed to respect each other’s claimed territories and interests.

Japan and The United States have had a history of tension up until the year of 1941. At

The United States wanted to be able to trade with Japan. Japan is on the trade route to china so the americans wanted to set up a coal station in Japan, so they could get fuel for their steamships. The U.S sent a representative to try and discuss about getting a coal station, but he was told to leave. Next commodore Perry entered edo with four huge war ships and several objectives; to get supplies and coal from Japan, to protect sailors and american ships that might need help, and to have an official trade agreement with Japan. After the third time the United states came into japan asking for a coal station the bakufu decided to sign the treaty in 1854. At the time japan felt that this agreement was a huge accomplishment because, it allowed them to still be independent and control over their country, although no trade agreement was actually made, but Perry’s other two objectives were met; two ports were opened to the U.S ships, and shipwrecked sailors were to

When the US came to Japan’s shores in 1853, there was no other way than signing the treaty and opening up Japan for trade. The US displayed a superior military force that Japan could not match.

Japan was an isolated country for over two hundred years. This led the United States to send Commodore Matthew Perry overseas in hopes to convince Japan to be more accessible. Commodore Matthew Perry knew that his task would be challenging because of Japan’s reluctance to interact with other countries and its belief that it was the greatest country of all. As a result of Perry’s mission, Japan changed politically, socially, and economically.

One of the results from the conference included the reduction of Japan’s navy and Japan's Chief of the Naval Board, Commander Kato Kanji was extremely distressed over the fact that Japan had agreed to that in the Five-Power Pact Treaty. The U.S.’s position was solidified by a robust economy yet they received much criticism due to U.S. accepting the treaties at the Washington Naval Conference for surrendering its naval strength

This letter from such a big, powerful country came as a surprise to the deliberately isolated country. The United States held the upper hand over more than a few countries, including Japan, in terms of the economy, world power, and quality of life. Although the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa on March 31, 1854 by Matthew Perry opened the ports for trade between the United States and Japan; the U.S. was more industrialized than Japan, gaining the ability to hold control over their weaker counterparts. The United States held significant power over Japan until the Meiji Restoration of 1868. The Western influences had caused the shoguns to fall from power, and the emperor was able to gained formal control of the country, with the help of the

Although the US made many points about trade and how it would benefit Japan, the underlying point was a pure advantage for the US. By opening the ports, the United States would gain access to an intermediate point before reaching mainland Asia for trade. As Fillmore stated, “Commodore Perry is also directed by me to represent to your imperial majesty that we understand there is a great abundance of coal and provisions in the Empire of Japan. Our steamships, in crossing the great ocean, burn a great deal of coal, and it is not convenient to bring it all the way from America. We wish that our steamships and other vessels should be allowed to stop in Japan and supply themselves with coal, provisions, and water.” In a sense, this is a backhanded

The Russo-Japanese war began on February 8th, 1904 when the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the Russian fleet and ended September 5th, 1905 with the treaty of Portsmouth led by Theodore Roosevelt. The war had a substantial effect on both of its participants, the Russians and the Japanese, but first this essay will talk about the events leading up to it, such as the Russian encroachment.

However, in-part due to the shrewd negotiating skills of the Russian delegate, Sergei Witte, the Japanese were unable to secure all of their interests during the Treaty of Portsmouth.

After centuries of dictatorship The Daimyo and samurai were successful in defeating all odds at taking control of Japan. The year 1868 marked mayor turning point as The Meiji restoration begun. The beginning of a modernization and industrialization era for japan had arrived Japan’s leaders was determined to transform japan for the best and established prosperity among the people. The Japanese did not expect Commander Mathew Perry backed by the United Sates Navy to show up at their doorstep and demanded that, japan change their ways they continued to introduce western culture as well technology to japan, with no surprise the Commander was portrayed evil and ready to conquer. Even though the Japanese were not very welcoming to the U.S, I think that their challenge was to destroy the barricade between the two and develop a relationship.

Many senior officers in the Navy believed that their forces were not ready to fight the American forces at sea. For if the heads of the organizations that would benefit most from war-making are disinclined from engaging in a war in the first place, militarism cannot have saturated Japanese society to the point in which the people, those with the most to lose from war, urge the military to a war it thinks it cannot win in the

Nearly seventy years ago an unstable alliance between two frustrated countries was born. The U.S. Japan Alliance was formed after a vicious World War between the two countries and the bond was forced upon both nations under the impression that the U.S. and Japan would mutually benefit. During the Cold War both countries were walking on eggshells and felt that they would benefit significantly from this bilateral agreement. Times have changed since the last revision, and it’s time for the U.S. - Japan Alliance to be reviewed and renegotiated to ensure a fair relationship between the two countries.