- In full:
- Matthew Calbraith Perry
- Born:
- April 10, 1794, South Kingston, R.I., U.S.
- Died:
- March 4, 1858, New York City (aged 63)
Matthew C. Perry
-
Who was Matthew C. Perry?
Matthew C. Perry (1794–1858) was a U.S. naval officer who led the expedition that compelled Japan to establish trade and diplomatic relations with the West in 1853–54, after more than two centuries of isolation. Perry's success demonstrated the inability of Japan's military dictator to enforce the country’s traditional isolationist policy, and the Japanese were soon forced to sign similar treaties with other Western nations. These events contributed to the collapse of the shogunate and ultimately to the modernization of Japan. The Treaty of Kanagawa was the first treaty between Japan and a Western country.
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What role did Matthew C. Perry have in the United States Navy?
Commodore Matthew C. Perry was a U.S. naval officer who played a significant role in the economic exploitation of East Asia. He served as commanding officer of the first U.S. steamship, the Fulton, from 1837 to 1840. In 1843, he led a naval squadron to Africa to suppress the slave trade and successfully commanded naval forces during the Mexican War from 1846 to 1848.
Appointed in 1852 by President Millard Fillmore to lead a naval expedition to Japan, Perry concluded the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, the first treaty between the United States and Japan. This opened Japan to trade and diplomatic relations with the West after more than two centuries of isolation.
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Why is Matthew C. Perry important in American history?
Commodore Matthew C. Perry was a U.S. naval officer who played a crucial role in opening Japan to the West. In 1853, Perry led a naval expedition that successfully convinced Japan to establish trade and diplomatic relations with the United States after more than two centuries of isolation.
Perry's actions led to the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, the first treaty between the two countries, granting the U.S. trading privileges. This event demonstrated the inability of Japan's military dictatorship to maintain its isolationist policy and ultimately contributed to the modernization of Japan.
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What did Matthew C. Perry do when he went to Japan?
In 1853, Matthew C. Perry led a U.S. naval expedition to Japan, seeking to end its isolationist policy of more than two centuries and establish trade and diplomatic relations with the West. Perry entered Uraga harbor with a fleet of ships, demanding Japan open its ports to U.S. ships. Aware of China's defeat in the Opium War, Japan agreed to negotiate. In 1854, Perry returned with nine ships, leading to the Treaty of Kanagawa, which opened two ports to the U.S., ensured better treatment of shipwrecked seamen, and allowed a U.S. consul to reside at Shimoda. This success demonstrated the inability of Japan's military dictatorship to maintain its isolationist policy and led to similar treaties with other Western nations, contributing to the collapse of the shogunate and the modernization of Japan.
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How did Matthew C. Perry's actions affect Japan and the United States?
Commodore Matthew C. Perry's actions significantly altered Japan's relations with the West and impacted the United States. Perry's arrival in Japan in 1853 with a fleet of warships led to the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, which opened Japan to trade and diplomatic relations after more than two centuries of isolation.
Perry's success in opening Japan helped the United States to become an equal power with Britain, France, and Russia in the economic exploitation of East Asia. Perry advocated for a more active U.S. role in the Orient, including acquiring island bases in the Pacific to ensure U.S. military and commercial superiority. The treaty also assured better treatment of shipwrecked seamen and permitted U.S. ships to obtain fuel and supplies at two minor ports.
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What long-term changes did Perry’s expedition to Japan lead to in world history?
Commodore Matthew C. Perry's 1853 expedition to Japan led to significant global transformations. By displaying superior naval force, Perry compelled Japan to end its isolationist policy of over two centuries and open itself to trade and diplomatic relations with the West.
This event exposed the inability of the ruling Shogun to maintain Japan's isolation. The Japanese were aware of China’s defeat in the Opium War and agreed to Perry’s demands to buy time to improve their defenses. The Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854 opened Japan to the U.S. and other Western powers, leading to the modernization of Japan and the collapse of the shogunate. By the early 20th century, Japan became a major world power.
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Matthew C. Perry (born April 10, 1794, South Kingston, R.I., U.S.—died March 4, 1858, New York City) was a U.S. naval officer who headed an expedition that forced Japan in 1853–54 to enter into trade and diplomatic relations with the West after more than two centuries of isolation. Through his efforts, the United States became an equal power with Britain, France, and Russia in the economic exploitation of East Asia.
Earlier, Perry had served as commanding officer (1837–40) of the first U.S. steamship, the “Fulton”; led a naval squadron to Africa to help suppress the slave trade (1843); and successfully commanded naval forces during the Mexican War (1846–48). In March 1852 Pres. Millard Fillmore placed Perry—who was called by his honorary rank of commodore—in charge of a naval expedition to induce the Japanese government to establish diplomatic relations with the United States. After studying the situation, Perry concluded that Japan’s traditional policy of isolation would be altered only if superior naval forces were displayed and if Japanese officials were approached with a “resolute attitude.” With two frigates and two sailing vessels, he entered the fortified harbour of Uraga on July 8, 1853—an act widely publicized throughout the world. Calling himself an “admiral,” he refused to obey Japanese orders to leave and sent word that if the government did not delegate a suitable person to receive the documents in his possession, he would deliver them by force if necessary. The Japanese defenses were inadequate to resist him, and after a few days of diplomatic sparring they accepted his letter from the President of the United States requesting a treaty.
In the interim, the Japanese, who were aware of China’s recent defeat by the technologically superior Western powers in the Opium War (1839–42), decided to agree to Perry’s terms as a way of stalling for time while they improved their defenses. In February 1854 he reappeared in Edo (modern Tokyo) Bay—this time with nine ships—and on March 31 concluded the Treaty of Kanagawa, the first treaty between the two countries. The pact assured better treatment of shipwrecked seamen, permitted U.S. ships to obtain fuel and supplies at two minor ports, arranged for a U.S. consul to reside at Shimoda, and opened the way for further U.S. trading privileges. Perry’s success demonstrated the inability of the Shogun, Japan’s hereditary military dictator, to enforce his country’s traditional isolationist policy; the Japanese were soon forced to sign similar treaties with other Western nations. These events contributed to the collapse of the shogunate and ultimately to the modernization of Japan.
Considered thereafter an authority on the Far East, Perry stressed the danger of British and Russian expansion and urged a more active U.S. role in the Orient. He specifically recommended the acquisition of island bases in the Pacific to assure U.S. military and commercial superiority in the area, but the government was not ready to act on these proposals for roughly half a century.