Perry Expedition

The Perry Expedition was a major diplomatic and military mission to Japan. It took place in two separate voyages between 1852 and 1855. The mission was led by Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry of the United States Navy. His goal was to end Japan's long period of isolation. For 220 years, the Tokugawa shogunate had kept Japan's borders closed to most of the world. This policy was known as Sakoku.

Perry wanted to establish diplomatic relations and negotiate new trade agreements. He also needed to find coaling stations for American ships traveling to China.

Several factors pushed the United States to act. American commerce with China was growing rapidly. American whalers were also frequently working in the waters near Japan. Additionally, European colonial powers were taking control of many potential coaling stations in Asia. There was also a tension regarding shipwrecked sailors. In 1846, sailors from the American ship Lawrence were treated very harshly in Japan. These events made the United States want to establish formal rules for contact.

Commodore Perry was a senior officer with much diplomatic experience. He did not want the assignment at first. He believed the mission was unlikely to succeed. To prepare, he studied Japanese culture extensively. He consulted with the Japanologist Philipp Franz von Siebold. Siebold had spent eight years studying at the Dutch trading post of Dejima in Nagasaki. Perry also requested "full and discretionary powers" from the U.S. government. This meant he had the authority to use force if necessary to achieve his goals.

The expedition included a large and diverse fleet. Perry chose the black-hulled steam warship Mississippi as his flagship.

The fleet also included the Susquehanna, Plymouth, and Saratoga. Other vessels included armed store steamships like the Lexington and Supply. Perry did not bring professional diplomats. Instead, he brought artists like Wilhelm Heine and photographer Eliphalet M. Brown Jr. He even brought an agricultural specialist named Dr. James Morrow. He also carried many gifts, including 100 Colt revolvers and 40 M1819 Hall rifles.

Perry's first voyage arrived at Uraga in Edo Bay on July 8, 1853. He used a method called gunboat diplomacy to show American strength. He ordered his ships to steam past Japanese lines toward the capital. He also fired blank shots from 73 cannons to celebrate American Independence Day. The American ships carried Paixhans shell guns. These were cannons capable of causing massive explosive destruction.

Perry used military ceremonies and shipboard hospitality to impress the Japanese. He refused to meet with low-ranking officials. He insisted on delivering a letter from President Millard Fillmore to leaders of high authority.

The Japanese response was a mix of caution and concern. An official named Ido Hiromichi reported to the shōgun that Japan's defenses were not strong enough to fight the Americans. During the negotiations, Perry used intimidation tactics. He sent boats to survey the area and threatened to land troops. He even presented a white flag to the Japanese. He explained that if they chose to fight, the Americans would surely win. He suggested they use the white flag to ask for peace if combat began.

The impact of the Perry Expedition was massive and long-lasting. It led directly to the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Western Great Powers. These changes eventually caused the collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate. This allowed for the restoration of the Emperor in Japan. As Japan opened to world trade, a cultural trend called Japonisme began. This was when Japanese art heavily influenced art styles in Europe and America. The expedition fundamentally changed the political and cultural landscape of East Asia.