Unit 4: Nationalism, Industrialism, and Imperialism
Lesson E: Modern Japan in a Western World
Activity 2: Arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry
During the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japanese ports were closed to all but a few countries. The Dutch and Chinese were allowed to trade at a few ports, but other countries were forbidden to land in Japan. Many in Japan believed that Western ideas threatened the Japanese culture and the Japanese authorities tried to expel all aspects of Western life from Japan. This included expelling Christian missionaries.
The United States was becoming a strong naval power and it desired to enjoy trading rights with Japan. In addition to trade, the United States was actively participating in the whaling industry. American whaling ships, as well as naval vessels, in the Pacific Ocean needed a place to refuel. Japan was a perfect location, but the Japanese rejected any attempts by Americans to land in Japan.
In 1853, American Commodore Matthew Perry landed in Tokyo Bay. He had four ships in his command and these steam powered, gun covered ships caused wonder in the Japanese who saw them. Commodore Perry demanded to see the Emperor and, when the Japanese realized that they could not defend themselves against the American warships, the emperor sent two princes to meet with Perry.
Picture of a Trading House [1]
Commodore Perry Arrives in Japan [2]
When Perry met with the princes he presented letters of friendship and gifts from President Fillmore. Fillmore asked that Japan and the United States form a treaty for trade. Perry announced that he and his ships would leave and return the next spring for the Emperor's answer. When Perry returned, the Emperor was ready to negotiate. The Emperor agreed to open up Japanese ports within five years.
Written Activity - Notebook
In your notebook, respond to the following questions after you read the information about the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry.
- Why did the United States want to trade with Japan?
- Why did Japan not want to expand its trade with foreigners?
- Why do you think Japan finally agreed to open its ports to the United States?
Perry and the Japanese Exchanging Gifts [3]
Directions: Read each item and then decide if it was a gift from the United States to Japan or from Japan to the United States and place into the appropriate column. Use the buttons provided to check the latest move or, when you are done, check the whole question.
Written Activity - Notebook
In your notebook, respond to the following questions after you read the information about the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry.
- What does each of these gifts suggest about the country that gave them?
- Why do you think that each country chose to give these particular gifts?
Page Notes:
[1] Source: This image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tojin-yashiki.jpg is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.
[2] Source: This image from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Commodore_Perry_ expedition_LOC_LC-USZ62-3319.jpg is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.
[3] Source: This image from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Commodore_Perry_expedition_LOC_LC-USZ62-8127.jpg is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.
