USA HISTORY

A major reason for Commodore Matthew Perry’s 1854 visit to Japan was to

(A) prevent Japanese domination of the Pacific region

(B) ** open United States trade relations with Japan

(C) encourage immigration from Japan

(D) establish a naval base in Japan

Concept note-1: -Perry’s primary goal was to force an end to Japan’s 220-year-old policy of isolation and to open Japanese ports to American trade, through the use of gunboat diplomacy if necessary.

Concept note-2: -His mission was to complete an agreement with the Japanese Government for the protection of shipwrecked or stranded Americans and to open one or more ports for supplies and refueling.

Concept note-3: -In addition to interest in the Japanese market, America needed Japanese ports to replenish coal and supplies for the commercial whaling fleet. On July 8, 1853 four black ships led by USS Powhatan and commanded by Commodore Matthew Perry, anchored at Edo (Tokyo) Bay.

Concept note-4: -On March 31, 1854, the first treaty between Japan and the United States was signed. The Treaty was the result of an encounter between an elaborately planned mission to open Japan and an unwavering policy by Japan’s government of forbidding commerce with foreign nations.