AEmmanuele+Matthew+Perry+Project


 * // __ Commodore Matthew Perry's Opening of Japan __ //**

__//** Who Was Commodore Matthew Perry? **//__ Commodore Perry was a U.S. Naval man who was born in 1794 on April 10th. He was son of a U.S. navy captain and he quickly moved his way up the naval ranks. Com. Perry however is most famous for his opening of trade in Japan.

__//** Why Was Commodore Perry Sent to Japan **//__ Perry was sent by the U.S. Navy to open U.S. trade and mining in Japan. The United States had been trading in Japan in Nagasaki but under the dutch flag and such trade had been rather unsuccessful. Japan closed all trade to foreign countries under the policy of sakoku, which made sure no foreign persons entered or left the country. In later attempts to open trade back up with Japan the U.S. noticed that if they show force Japan allow the United States to trade. This opened the way for Perry to open trade with Japan.

__//** Start of the Journey **//__ Com. Perry left Norfolk, Virginia in 1852 to embark on his trip to Japan. He left port with his black-hulled ship and with the Mississippi, Plymouth, Saratoga, and the Susquehanna. Perry and his fleet landed in Japan in the Uraga Harbor which is near modern day Tokyo Bay. On entering port Perry came in contact with representatives of the Tokugawa Shogunate who were a fuedal regime controlled by Shoguns. These representatives told Perry to proceed to Nagasaki which was the only port open to foreigners. However trade there was limited and Perry refused. He presented a letter from the U.S. president stating that force would be used if their access was denied. Japan decided to let them because they realized that they couldn't defend against such an enemy and they didn't want war. Perry finally landed in Kurihama in 1853, and presented the letter to Japanese delegates, which also stated their demands. He soon left for the coast of China but would soon be back.

__//** Second Trip to Japan **//__ On his return to Japan Perry landed on the island of Formosa which is present day Taiwan. In which he noticed could be used be used for mining and would be an excellent place for a U.S. base to regulate trade between the countries of Japan and China. Perry sent a claim to the U.S. to follow through but the claim was never responded. As he arrived back in Japan in 1854 he was presented with a treaty by the Japanese delegates which met all the demands of the U.S. government. This treaty was called the Convention of Kanagawa and shortly after signing it, Perry headed back to the United States.

__//** Convention Of Kanagawa **//__ The Convention of Kanagawa granted peace and friendship between Japan and the united States. It also opened the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate for U.S. trade and it gave them permission to buy and sell any supplies. Also granted to protection to any shipwrecked U.S. persons off the coast of Japan.

__//** Results of Perry's Expedition **//__ As Perry returned to the U.S in 1855 he was granted $20,000 for his work in Japan. He was also promoted to admiral in naval ranks but retired shortly after due to health. Perry published a volume of articles on his trip to Japan using some of his reward money. However by 1858 Perry died from cirrhosis.