Why Was The Visit From Commodore Perry A Turning Point In Japanese History

Japan and China had many contrasting responses to western penetration in the nineteenth century, including economic interaction - economically China suffered and Japan prospered, Japanese agricultural productivity increased while China’s did not, and China only accepted a small amount of goods while Japan accepted a wide range of goods- and political interaction - China went to war but Japan did not, Japan adopted western learning styles but China did not, and Japan heavily increased taxes on their people after 1890, while China did not -but had very comparable geographic traits – both had ocean borders – Japan was completely surrounded by water while China was bordered on a large percentage of itself, both kept their ports either fully

Much like in Japan when Matthew Perry of the United States came in and insisted in having Japan open up its ports to diplomatic and commercial relations with the US, and since the shogun felt he had no other option, he complied with Perry’s order. As the westerners had their way with both east Asian nations, the threat of western industrialization became a reality, and due to the amount of hunger and economic depression in their societies, their people began to crave industrialization seeing the amount of success in the western societies that were industrialized. There began to be an increased amount of rebellion, and a fight for change in these two nations, but the results that came from these rebellions and the main argument for these rebellions differed.

Although Japan changed in many ways from 1853 to 1941, there were also many factors that remained the same throughout the history of Japan. One such continuity was the maintained existence of a figurehead ruler controlled by other political authorities. The feudalistic emperor of Japan was the supposed “highest, most powerful authority” in the land, but was actually controlled by the military leaders- the shogun. Similarly, the militaristic emperor of Japan decades later continued to remain a figurehead ruler controlled by military and government officials. In addition, Japan continued to remain reliant on exports in order to maintain its economy. As a result of Japan’s small geographical size, the island nation had few natural resources and was forced to rely on exports to survive economically. The nation also grew increasingly reliant on other nations to provide materials and supplies that it could not provide for itself. This complete reliance on other nations was seen illustrated when the Japanese military was provoked to attacking another superpower- the United States, in response to the 1940 United States embargo

In the year 1853, Perry sailed to the Tokyo harbor aboard the frigate Susqueahanna on July 8. The intentions of Commander Matthew Perry in Japan were merely to force a trade agreement between the government of the previously named country, and the United States; during this period, all western powers were desperately pursuing to open new markets to sell their goods abroad. At the time, the Japanese government did not have on disposition a naval force that could somehow stop Commander Perry. By all means, the Commander was able amplify any demand he wanted by force. Later on, other world powers such as Britain, France, Russia, and Holland opted to follow Perry’s trail to Japan, it could be said that Japan was merely a pawn in the hands of a pretty much crooked deal with the world.

By 1852. the United States had been trading in the Orient for several years. President Millard Fillmore sent Perry to Japan to open diplomatic and trade relations. He was resilient in his negotiations with Japan and would not take “no” for an answer. On July 2, 1853, Perry arrived in Tokyo Bay. He threatened to bring the President’s message by force if necessary. On July 14, steam frigates Susquehanna and Mississippi moved close to the shore and landed 400 seamen and marines. Perry proceeded to the council house with special escort and pomp and presented his documents personally to Princes Iduzu and Iwami and was given receipt of delivery. Perry left after three days he left and told them he would return for an answer to the letter. Seven months later he returned to Japan with a larger and more powerful squadron. His return was faced with a totally different reception. The Japanese people were more receptive and cordial. They exchange gifts and entertainment and the treaty was negotiated, opening to ports to American commerce. After months of negotiations, the Treaty of Kanagawa was concluded on March 31, 1854. The treaty assured good treatment of shipwrecked U.S. seamen, permitted U.S. ships to fuel and supply at two Japanese ports and arranged for a U.S. diplomat to reside in Japan to further trade

In 1854, great achievement came. Commodore Perry and the Japanese Representatives of the Tokugawa Shogunate signed the Convention between the United States and America. These discussions lead to the opening of coal trade companies, American shipping ports and naval academy’s in Japan. These were Japan’s first reintroduction into Western influence.

Japan and Great Britain are two geographically isolated countries that have risen to greatness despite many challenges. Both nations have overcome their relative seclusion and grasped power, despite consequences for neighboring areas. Though Japan and Britain have an abundance of similarities, differences abound as well. While Great Britain has used its location central to Europe to gain allies and form trade deals, Japan has been less than diplomatic in grasping its power from neighboring countries. Though Britain has been an example of progress and modernity for eons, Japan has pulled itself into modernity more recently.

In the present, Japan is a military and economic superpower with strong influence. However, it was not always like this. In the early 1700s, Japan isolated itself from the world and greeted foreigners unfortunate enough to shipwreck in Japan with hostility. In the 1850s, the United States attempted to make contact with Japan to establish a treaty. The U.S. knew even though Japan was hostile, it was weak compared to a western power. Although the U.S. was stronger than Japan, it was nowhere close to being as strong as other western powers such as Brittan or France and was struggling to keep up. Japanese hostility, U.S. power struggles, and Japan’s isolation all led to the inevitable Japanese and U.S. conflict.

By industrializing, Russia was able to extend its influence in eastern Asia and seizing new territories in northern China. Japan reformed after seeing China’s foreign power so they kicked out all foreigners and built its own military. In Japan, an American commodore, Matthew Perry threatened to bomb Japan in 1853, unless Japan allowed access to trade for the Americans which created military superiority of the West. Therefore, Perry won the right to have the Americans to trade which allowed two ports to open with other European countries of Britain, Holland and Russia. In Japan, they had many signs of improvement with the Western influence of new banks to fund trade and private investment capital, railways and steam vessels improved national communication and helped with trade since Japan lacked many resources.

On July 8th, 1853, four US Navy warships, commanded by Commodore Matthew C. Perry, intruded into the Bay of Edo, the former Tokyo. The intimidating fleet of Black Ships, getting their names from the black color of the vessels and the smoke from the steam-powered engines, displayed the formidable military power of the U.S. Navy and forced Japan to end its 220 years of Sakoku(鎖国), the policy of national seclusion. The Personal Journal of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, a three-volume original report narrated by Commodore Perry, documents the fleet’s two expeditions to Japan from 1853 to 1854. This journal serves as one of the most important and comprehensive primary sources for the studies of Japan–United States relations during the 19th century.

From 1641 to 1853, the Tokugawa shogun of Japan enforced a policy called kaikin. The policy declined foreign contact with most outside countries creating an isolationistic Japan. The culture of Japan developed with very limited influence from the outside world and had one of the longest periods of peace in history. During this period, Japan developed thriving cities, increased agriculture, labor, and literacy rates. On July 8, 1853, American Commodore Matthew Perry led ships into the Tokyo Bay harbor, seeking to re-establish for the first time in over 200 years regular trade between Japan and the western world. The same combination of economic desires and belief in Manifest Destiny that motivated U.S. expansion across North America also drove

China and Japan had similar but different experiences with the Western civilization. China and Japan reacted differently to the Western nations and it was China’s reactions to the West that would break the Chinese’s isolation leaving their traditions behind. The Industrial trade in Europe and the United States had created a gap between Asia and the West, This left china and Japan far behind technologically and they were not able to stand up against the western nations and although at different times China and Japan both ended up having to sign unequal treaties, and to open their ports for merchants.

The nineteenth century was a turbulent time of western imperialism and a major Asian power shift. European powers and the United States had a destabilizing effect on the region and the choices Japan and China made in response their imposing expansion was a major contributor to the trajectory of their respective futures. Social factors, such as the differences in national and religious unity, also played a role in the how the two nations emerged from the Age of Imperialism.

From 1639, Japan kept control on emigration of its people to Europe and to its colonies. But soon after the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853, trade of gunships started between the United States and Japan (USA.gov). This exposed Japanese to another culture, which had an impact on their life. This resulted in a great change of social life in Japan because life in America represented a model way and motivated Japanese to migrate there.

Both Japan and China lie in the East of Asia. ‪To a certain extent，Japan and China own similar culture background, in the Confucian Cultural Circle. But when we look back into the modern history development, Japan and China made quite different decisions when facing the western countries’ aggression. China suffered the invasion in 1840 after the first Sino-British War. Japan was in a similar situation in the black boat incident in 1853, the Opium War made the West began to pay attention to East Asia. From then on, Japan began to face the western culture. ‬The reactions, as well as the result of Japan and China were quite disparate. This article wants to discuss what lead to the difference. ‬‬