Question

How did the United States force Japan into opening trade with the West?

Answer 1

**Background info.

Japan went into isolation because of the foreign policy of the Tokugawa Shogunate. This specific policy was called Sakoku, meaning "closed country."

In 1853, American Commorode Matthew Perry led an expedition to Japan, seeking to establish foreign trade between the two countries.

The seclusion affected Japan negatively, the country did not have access to exotic resources, the social structure was changed drastically, the samurai became officials of the shogun instead of remaining warriors, and etc.

On behalf of the United States government, Perry led two separate voyages (via warships) to Japan, seeking to establish diplomatic relations with the Japanese. On the first voyage, Perry ordered his men to aim their guns toward the town of Uraga.

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After several standstills, Perry sent a letter to the shogun and advised that his [the shogun's] defenses were totally inadequate to repel the Americans by force. By the time of Perry's return, the Tokugawa shogunate had decided to accept virtually all the demands in President Fillmore's letter.

The two countries signed the Treaty of Kanagawa, concluding Japan's period of isolation, and establishing trade between the countries.

Answer 2

On July 8, 1853, American Commodore Matthew Perry led his four ships into the harbor at Tokyo Bay, seeking to re-establish for the first time in over 200 years regular trade and discourse between Japan and the western world.