The squadron of commodore Matthew Perry was made of modern war ships, steam ships. Production and operation of those ships required technological prowess and industrial capacity. It was possessed only by Western countries in 1853. Perry´s vessels were also equipped with modern artillery and systems. They made a great impression on the Japanese. Some Japanese officials were invited onboard. They understood that the US had great fire power and naval capacity on its side. This definetly put pressure on the Japanese to agree to American demands for opening to trade exchanges and opening their ports to commerce with the USA, the purpose of Perry´s mission.
