Matthew Perry

http://www.history.navy.mil/library/special/perry_openjapan1.htm

• Japan was almost entirely isolated from the rest of world and had little commercial contact with other nations during the mid-nineteenth century

• Japan denied the attempts made by the United States and other nations who were trying to establish formal trading relations

• But in March 1852, President Fillmore ordered Matthew C. Perry to command the U.S. Navy's East India Squadron and to create diplomatic relations with Japan.

• Perry delivered Fillmore's request for a treaty to a representative of the Japanese Emperor in July 1853

• He negotiated the Treaty of Kanagawa with Japanese representatives. on March 31, 1854.

What did the treaty do? Led to major commercial trade between the U.S.

and Japan, contributed to opening Japan to other Western nations, and resulted in the modernization of the Japanese state.

Peace and friendship between the U.S. and Japan. Opening of two ports to American ships at

Shimoda and Hakodate Help for any American ships wrecked on the

Japanese coast and protection for shipwrecked persons

Allowed American ships to buy supplies, coal, water, and other necessities in Japanese ports.

http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/teach/ends/opening.htm

***Major Points After the treaty was signed, Japan grows

and expands trade with many nations. Japanese victory in the Russo-Japanese

War establishes them as a major force in world affairs.

U.S. expands its boundaries after Spanish-American War into the Pacific.

Japan feels presence of European colonial powers in Asia.

Japan then expands into Southeast Asia in the early 20th century

http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/teach/pearl/kanagawa/friends.htm