OCR Specification focus:
‘the impact of the arrival of US force under Perry 1853 and the unequal treaties, including France and Russia, of 1858.’
The arrival of Commodore Perry’s expedition in 1853 marked a turning point in Japan’s history, forcing the Tokugawa Shogunate to confront Western power and its consequences.
Background to Perry’s Arrival
In the early nineteenth century, Tokugawa Japan had been governed under the sakoku policy (closed country), which severely restricted foreign trade and contact. This system aimed to preserve political stability, prevent foreign influence, and maintain control over society. However, Western powers—particularly the United States, Britain, Russia, and France—were seeking new markets and coaling stations for their expanding navies. Japan’s strategic location in the Pacific drew particular attention.
Practice Questions
FAQ
Perry was chosen because of his reputation as a decisive naval commander and his experience in both diplomacy and naval modernisation. The US government wanted someone capable of intimidating Japan into agreement while maintaining formal diplomatic conduct.
His command of advanced steam-powered ships added to the display of power, ensuring the Japanese could not ignore the request for negotiations.
Japanese officials were shocked but attempted to delay. They insisted that negotiations occur in Uraga rather than Edo, hoping to reduce direct pressure on the Shogunate.
They also deployed traditional coastal defences and massed troops to signal readiness, even though these forces were militarily ineffective against Perry’s fleet.
Harris became the first official US consul in Japan, stationed at Shimoda. His role was to establish closer ties and negotiate further agreements.
He successfully pressed for the Harris Treaty of 1858 by:
Highlighting Japan’s vulnerability to European powers
Emphasising benefits of trade with the US
Using gradual diplomacy rather than overt threats
Extraterritoriality denied Japan legal sovereignty over foreigners within its borders.
This meant:
Foreigners accused of crimes were tried in their own consular courts
Japanese authorities had little control in treaty ports
It symbolised Japan’s weakness compared to Western powers
For leaders, it was a stark reminder of unequal status in the international system.
Many were terrified by the sight of steam-powered warships, unlike anything seen in Japan before. Rumours circulated that the ships “breathed smoke” like dragons.
Some peasants and townspeople spread woodblock prints and kawaraban news sheets, dramatising the arrival. These popular depictions often exaggerated the ships’ size, reinforcing the sense of national vulnerability.
