Commodore Perry’s Journey to Japan

After the conclusion of the War of 1812 and prior to the Civil War, the linked States navy blue entered into a peacetime role. Initially, this role was to protect commerce trading in both inland and international waterways. However, that role was soon expanded upon with Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perrys journey to japan. The journey had its immediate impact, including the signaliseing of a comprehensive treaty that established championship relations with lacquer and provided protection for sailors and their ships. Perrys journey also had the impact of serving as a precursor for the convert in what the Navys responsibilities encompassed, which even carry on to the bribe day Navy. Commodore Perry unexpended for Japan with the objectives of untieding up Nipponese interfaces to trade and ensuring American forepart and protection in East Asia. These terms were outline in detailed instructions from the Secretary of the Navy John P. Kennedy, diplomatic instructions from the State Department, and a letter from President Millard Fillmore to the Emperor of Japan2 that Perry carried with him on his journey.From beginning to end Perrys voyage spanned gild months and was filled with trials and tribulations. The Japanese were initially turned withdraw to the judgment of Americans go in their country, and would not even let them step on land. Only doubly did Perry and his squadron fare ashore in the nine months prior to the signing of the appointed treaty. Most of the negotiations took place upon various ships in Perrys control and the meetings were a great deal difficult to coordinate.Based on notes from Perrys personal journal, these complications often lead to frustration and Perry was constantly considering employing whole force that he was granted to use if he deemed it necessary to achieve his goals. 3 However, this was ultimately unnecessary, and Perry did well to remind himself that his voyage was diplomatic and pacific in nature. The negotia tions were an arduous process and Perry even left Japan returning later with twice as m each ships, anticipating a struggle. This was unnecessary as the Japanese agreed to Perrys desires and the black ships saw no combat.With the agreement of the Japanese the Treaty of Kanagawa was drafted and subsequently signed on 31 March 1854. This treaty allowed for a U. S. consul to be created at Shimoda, and allowed addition to the ports of Hakodate and Shimoda for the purpose of obtaining wood, water, provisions, and coal, and other articles their necessities may require. The treaty also required that whenever ships of the unify States are thrown or wrecked on the coast of Japan, the Japanese vessels will assist them, and carry their crews to Shimoda. Thirdly, men staying in Shimoda and Hakodate, or any seamen shipwrecked shall be free and shall not be subject torestrictions and confinement. 4Although there was not a formal agreement on trade in these open ports, Perry assumed correctly that with an American presence in port, trade would come naturally. 5 The initial impact of Perrys communique and the treaty with Japan gave the linked States Navy many new roles and an international presence on the high seas. Japan had been a country focused on isolationism for centuries. This isolationism is principally connected to the zeal of early thrillaries who traveled to Japan.The unify States was open to reject this conflict in values by Commodore Perrys outright command to the Japanese leadership that the United States government does not interfere with the holiness of its own people, much less with that of other nations. 6 Several attempts were do to open Japan to American trade, but all had failed. One such failure was that of Commodore pile Biddle, which proved to be a complete superfluity for the United States, as he made several mistakes in his pay and on top of it all needed to be towed out of port by a Japanese ship. The fact that Commodore Perry was successful in his mission changed the status quo in regards to what the United States Navy could and could not do. Perry proved that the United States was capable of having a forward presence in impertinent lands and was able to establish international trade in East Asia. The arrangement of commercial relations with Japan furthered the Navys responsibility in defend trade. Perrys exploits also showed that diplomacy was a possible way for the United States to establish influence in other countries.Thirdly, Perry and his black ships were the first sign of American deterrence. The fact that American ships were move out the coast of Japan industrious to attack an underprepared country made it very difficult for the Japanese to transact anything in their favor or make any tactical or strategic decisions to remove the threat of Perrys force. The roles of the Navy that Commodore Perry established in the mid-nineteenth century are still prevalent in the present day.The idea of the Nav y as a protector of commerce (although established onwards Perry, he was instrumental in expanding the Navys prevalence in ensuring safe trade) continues into the present day. An object lesson of this would be ships stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. This area, specifically around the Strait of Hormuz is crucial to trade in the Middle East. The presence of the United States Navy maintains a safe trading environment mingled with the United States and its allies, and other countries in the region.Commodore Perry also introduced the idea of deterrence, which is crucial in the operations of the Navy in todays world. One example of American deterrence is the use of submarines, equipped with nuclear war heads and ballistic missiles, which are virtually invisible to our enemies. Perry also proved that diplomacy was a very potent way to establish influence in foreign countries and maintain a presence without force. This is also seen in the United States establishment of embassies in for eign countries and the use of diplomats to negotiate with foreign countries.Commodore Perrys expedition to Japan had a tremendous impact on the United States at the time it occurred, but it also had an everlasting impact on how the Navy operates and what roles and responsibilities it chooses to take on. Notes 1. Walworth, Arthur. Black ships off Japan the story of Commodore Perrys expedition 242. sensitive York A. A. Knopf, 1946. 2. Bradford, James C. Quarterdeck and bridge two centuries of American naval leaders 115. Annapolis, MD Naval give Press, 1997. 3. Perry, Matthew Calbraith, and Roger Pineau.The Japan Expedition, 1852-1854 the personal journal of Commodore Matthew C. Perry 157. Washington Smithsonian foundation Press, 1968. 4. Barrows, Edward Morley. The great commodore the exploits of Matthew Calbraith Perry 365. Indianapolis The Bobbs-Merrill Co, 1935. 5. Anderson, David. Perry, Matthew Calbraith. American National Biography Online Feb. 2000 (accessed October 2, 2012). 6. Walworth, Arthur. Black ships off Japan. 243. 7. Bradford, James C. Quarterdeck and Bridge. 113. Bibliography Anderson, David. Perry, Matthew Calbraith. American National Biography Online Feb. 000 (accessed October 2, 2012). Barrows, Edward Morley. The great commodore the exploits of Matthew Calbraith Perry 365. Indianapolis The Bobbs-Merrill Co, 1935. Bradford, James C. Quarterdeck and bridge two centuries of American naval leaders. Annapolis, MD Naval Institute Press, 1997. Perry, Matthew Calbraith, and Roger Pineau. The Japan Expedition, 1852-1854 the personal journal of Commodore Matthew C. Perry 157. Washington Smithsonian Institution Press, 1968. Walworth, Arthur. Black ships off Japan the story of Commodore Perrys expedition. New York A. A. Knopf, 1946.