Perry Expedition facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 
A 1854 Japanese print depicting the Perry Expedition
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| Date | July 14, 1853 |
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| Location | Uraga, Kanagawa |
| Cause | Diplomacy, trade |
| Organised by | President Millard Fillmore |
| Participants | Commodore Matthew C. Perry Toda "Izu-no-kami" Ujiyoshi "Iwami-no-kami" Hiromichi |
| Outcome | End of isolationist policy of Japan |
The Perry Expedition was a special journey by warships of the United States Navy. It happened in two parts, from 1852 to 1853 and again in 1854. The main goal was to explore, map, and create friendly ties and trade deals with nations in the region. Opening contact with the government of Japan was the most important part of this mission.
This expedition was led by Commodore Matthew C. Perry. He was following orders from U.S. President Millard Fillmore. Perry's main task was to end Japan's 220-year-old policy of keeping itself isolated from the rest of the world. This policy was called Sakoku. Perry wanted to open Japanese ports for American trade, using the threat of military force if needed. This method is sometimes called "gunboat diplomacy." The Perry Expedition directly led to Japan forming relationships with powerful Western countries. It also eventually caused the old Japanese government, the Tokugawa shogunate, to fall. This led to the Meiji Restoration, where the Emperor gained more power. After the expedition, Japan's new trade with the world inspired a cultural trend called Japonisme. This is when Japanese art and ideas influenced artists in Europe and America.
Contents
Opening Japan: A New Era
For over 200 years, Japan had a strict policy of isolation. This meant it had very limited contact with other countries. But by the 1800s, things were changing. The United States was growing and trading more with China. American whalers were also sailing in waters near Japan. European countries were also setting up important coaling stations in Asia. These were places where ships could refuel. All these reasons made President Fillmore decide to send an expedition to Japan.
Why America Sailed to Japan
Under Japan's isolation policy, shipwrecked sailors from Western countries were often treated very badly. Sometimes they were even executed. This happened to American sailors from the whaling ship Lawrence in 1846. Americans also believed in their own progress and wanted to expand their trade and influence. They saw Japan as a country that could benefit from more contact with the outside world.
Japan's isolation was becoming harder to maintain. In 1844, King William II of the Netherlands sent a letter. He urged Japan to open up on its own terms. He warned that change might be forced from outside. Between 1790 and 1853, many U.S. ships tried to visit Japan. They were always turned away.
More and more foreign ships were seen near Japan. This caused a lot of discussion within Japan's government. They debated how to protect Japan's economy and independence. In 1851, U.S. Secretary of State Daniel Webster gave orders. He wanted Commodore John H. Aulick to return 17 shipwrecked Japanese sailors. These sailors were living in San Francisco. This act of kindness could open the door for trade with Japan. Webster wrote a letter to the "Japanese Emperor." He promised the expedition was not about religion. It was only to ask for "friendship and commerce." It also asked for coal supplies for American ships sailing to China.
The letter also mentioned America's growth across North America. It highlighted America's technical skills. President Fillmore signed this important letter. However, Commodore Aulick had problems with other officials. So, he was replaced by Commodore Matthew C. Perry. Perry was a very experienced officer in the U.S. Navy.
Getting Ready for the Journey
Perry knew that opening relations with Japan would be difficult. He had studied many books about Japan. He also talked with Japanologist Philipp Franz von Siebold. Siebold had lived and worked in Japan for eight years. Perry asked for special powers for his mission. He wanted to be able to use force if the Japanese treated him badly. He also decided not to bring any professional diplomats.
Perry brought artists Wilhelm Heine and Eliphalet M. Brown Jr. to record the journey. Dr. James Morrow, an agricultural expert, also joined. Several Japanese castaways came along as unofficial interpreters.
The expedition had a powerful fleet of ships. It included steam warships like the Mississippi and Susquehanna. There were also armed supply ships and sailing sloops. Perry chose officers he trusted from his time in the Mexican–American War. He also brought many gifts for the Japanese people. These gifts included advanced small arms and other items. They were meant to show off American technology.
Perry's First Visit: The Black Ships Arrive
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Commodore Perry chose the black-hulled Mississippi as his main ship. He left Virginia on November 24, 1852. Perry made many stops along the way. These included places like Madeira, Cape Town, and Singapore. In Hong Kong, he met Samuel Wells Williams. Williams helped translate Perry's official letters into Chinese. In Shanghai, another diplomat translated the letters into Dutch.
Perry then sailed to the Ryukyu Islands. He landed his Marines and drilled them on the beach. He demanded trading rights and land for a coaling station. Perry made sure to meet only high-ranking officials. He used military ceremonies to show American power. He also showed the peaceful goals of his trip. He left with promises that the islands would be open to U.S. trade. He also visited the Ogasawara Islands and even bought some land there.
A Show of Force and Diplomacy
Perry finally reached Uraga, Kanagawa at the entrance to Edo Bay on July 8, 1853. His fleet had four ships. Perry ordered his ships to sail past Japanese defenses. He aimed their guns towards the town of Uraga. He also fired blank shots from his cannons. He said this was to celebrate American Independence Day. Perry's ships had new cannons that could cause great explosive damage.
Japanese guard boats surrounded the American ships. Perry ordered his men to stop any attempts to board. One Japanese boat carried a sign in French. It ordered the American fleet to leave immediately. On July 9, a Japanese official named Nakajima Saburosuke came to Perry's ship. He brought an interpreter. They were told that Perry would only meet with very important officials. Perry said he carried a letter from the U.S. President.
On July 10, another official, Kayama Eizaemon, visited Perry's ship. He pretended to be the governor of Uraga. He told the Americans to go to Nagasaki. Nagasaki was the only port open to foreign contact. Kayama was told that Perry would land troops and march to Edo. This would happen if a suitable official did not come to receive the letter. Kayama asked for three days to respond. The real governor of Uraga, Ido Hiromichi, reported to the shōgun. He said their defenses were too weak to fight the Americans.
Perry continued to use intimidation. He sent boats to survey the area. He threatened to use force if Japanese guard boats did not move away. He also gave the Japanese a white flag. A letter with it said that if they chose to fight, the Americans would win.
The Japanese government faced a difficult situation. The Shōgun Tokugawa Ieyoshi was very ill. This made it hard to make decisions. On July 11, a senior official named Abe Masahiro decided to accept the letter. He believed this would not violate Japan's independence. Perry was asked to move his fleet to Kurihama. He landed there on July 14.
Perry landed with great ceremony. About 250 sailors and Marines came ashore in 15 boats. There was a 13-gun salute and a band playing music. President Fillmore's letter was formally received by two Japanese officials. Perry's ships then left on July 17 for China. He promised to return for an answer.
Japan's Big Decision
After Perry left, Japan's government had a big debate. They discussed how to respond to America's threats. The Shōgun Tokugawa Ieyoshi died soon after Perry's departure. His young, sickly son, Tokugawa Iesada, became the new shōgun. This left the Council of Elders, led by Abe Masahiro, in charge.
Abe believed Japan could not fight the Americans. But he did not want to make such a big decision alone. So, he asked all the powerful regional lords, called daimyōs, for their opinions. This was the first time the government had asked for public debate on such an issue. This made the government seem weak and unsure.
The lords' opinions were divided. Some wanted to accept the American demands. Others strongly opposed them. Many gave unclear answers. The only thing everyone agreed on was to strengthen Japan's coastal defenses. Fortifications were quickly built near modern-day Odaiba. These were to protect Edo from future American ships.
Perry's Second Visit: A Treaty is Signed
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Perry had told the Japanese he would return the next year. He soon learned that Russian Vice-Admiral Yevfimiy Putyatin had visited Nagasaki. Putyatin had tried to make Japan sign a treaty. Perry also heard that British and French ships planned to join him. They wanted to make sure America did not get special treatment. So, Perry returned to Japan earlier, on February 13, 1854. He brought eight ships and 1600 men.
By the time Perry returned, the Japanese government had decided. They would accept most of President Fillmore's demands. However, negotiators argued for weeks about where to meet. Perry wanted to meet in Edo. The Japanese offered other places. Perry eventually became frustrated. He threatened to bring 100 ships to Japan to start a war. Both sides finally agreed to meet in the small village of Yokohama. A special hall was built there for the talks. Perry landed on March 8 with 500 sailors and Marines. Three bands played "The Star-Spangled Banner".
Negotiations and Gifts
Three weeks of talks followed. There were also diplomatic exchanges of gifts. The Americans gave the Japanese a miniature steam locomotive and a telegraph machine. They also gave farming tools, small arms, clocks, and books about the United States. The Japanese gave gifts in return. These included gold-lacquered furniture, silk clothes, and porcelain cups. They also gave Perry a collection of seashells, knowing he enjoyed collecting them.
Both sides also shared cultural displays. American sailors performed entertaining shows. Japanese sumo wrestlers showed off their strength and held matches.
The Treaty of Kanagawa
Finally, on March 31, 1854, Perry signed the Convention of Kanagawa. This important treaty opened the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American ships. It also promised care for shipwrecked sailors. And it allowed the United States to set up a consulate in Shimoda. Hayashi Akira signed the treaty for Japan. Perry then sent one of his ships home with the signed treaty. The rest of his fleet explored Hakodate, Shimoda, and the future consulate site. After leaving Shimoda, the fleet returned to the Ryukyu Islands. There, Perry quickly wrote and signed another agreement on July 11, 1854.
Perry's Legacy
Perry returned to the United States in 1855. The United States Congress gave him a reward of $20,000. This was to thank him for his work in Japan. Perry used some of this money to write a report about the expedition. It was published in three volumes. The report was called Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan. It was first presented to the United States Senate in 1856.
Perry was also promoted to the rank of rear-admiral. This was a reward for his service. His health was failing at the time. He suffered from severe arthritis and gout. These conditions caused him frequent pain. Perry spent his last years preparing his Japan expedition account for publication. He announced its completion on December 28, 1857. He died on March 4, 1858, in New York City. His death was caused by rheumatism that had spread to his heart, along with complications from gout.
See also
- List of Westerners who visited Japan before 1868
- History of Japan
- Meiji Restoration
- Yokohama Archives of History
- Pacific Overtures
