104 614 (community total) + 21 (my reviews) = 104 635
10 Likes
104 635 (community total) + 40 (my reviews) = 104 675
10 Likes
104 675 (community total) + 30 (my reviews) = 104 705
10 Likes
104 705 (community total) + 4 (my reviews) = 104 709
11 Likes
104 709 (community total) + 42 (my reviews) = 104751
10 Likes
104 751 (community total) + 49 (my reviews) = 104 800
10 Likes
104800 (community total) + 16 (my reviews) = 104816
11 Likes
104816 (community total) + 50 (my reviews) = 104866
10 Likes
104866 (community total) + 134 (my reviews) = 105000
9 Likes
105000 (community total) + 204 (my reviews) = 105204
8 Likes
105204 (community total) + 19 (my reviews) = 105223
8 Likes
105223 + 37 = 105260
9 Likes
105260 (community total) + 26 (my reviews) = 105286
9 Likes
105286 (community total) + 43 (my reviews) = 105329
About 289 yrs in: ~1852
Perry’s Black Ships arrive in 1853, marking the end of the closed country policy, and furthering the downfall of the Shogunate. Commodore Matthew C. Perry had been assigned by the US president to open up Japan to foreign trade, through any means necessary. Knowing how the last visit by James Biddle went a few years earlier (see previous posts), this time they were not going to mess around. Perry was in command of 3 steam warships, 3 sailing gunships, and 3 armed-supply ships. Before Edo however, he first landed on the Ryuku islands, and made large shows of his military might. He threatened the local authorities and demanded a meeting with the Ryuku King at Shuri Castle. He refused to speak to anyone less, and didn’t leave until he had assurance from the kingdom that they would be open to trade. Perry’s fleet then reached Edo bay in July 1853, but he only brought 2 warships and 2 gunships. In a show of power, he sailed straight past the Japanese lines, positioned his guns towards nearby coastal town, and even fired blanks from his flagships 73 cannons, just to make a point. They were ordered to leave twice by visiting messengers, but Perry refused and threatened to land by force if necessary. His demand were finally met and they were allowed to land nearby to open negotiations. Perry laid down his demands to open the country and allow trade, and said he would be back within 12 months for a response. Days after he left, Shogun Tokugawa Ieyoshi died, leaving his chronically ill son, Tokugawa Iesada to become the 13th Shogun.
Due to Tokugawa Iesada’s basically complete inability or interest to rule, most decisions were left to the Shogunate elder council, headed by Abe Masahiro. The council figured they had little choice but to agree to the terms as they were completely outgunned. The uncertainty of their decisions just made them look even weaker to the anti-shogunate movement. Perry returned within 6 months in February 1854 with 8 ships and 1600 men, they meant business. Negotiations took place over 3 weeks, and the Shogunate accepted essentially all of the initial demands from the US. After an exchange of gifts and entertainment, the had secured the Convention of Kanagawa. This opened up ports in Shimodo (South of Edo), and on Hokaido. Other agreements were: mutual peace between the countries, all trade transactions permitted, currency trade, and an American consulate to be opened at Shimoda. The treaty was even signed, very reluctantly, by the Emperor. Perry left with the missions a success, but the Shogunate and Japanese politics was in growing turmoil.
13 Likes
105329 (community total) + 105 (my reviews) = 105434
10 Likes
105 434 (community total) + 25 (my reviews) = 105 459
10 Likes
105 459 (community total) + 24 (my reviews) = 105 483
10 Likes
105483 (community total) + 28 (my reviews) = 105511
10 Likes
105511 (community total) + 36 (my reviews) = 105547
9 Likes
105547 (community total) + 21 (my reviews) = 105568
10 Likes