Industrializing Japan DBQ

The US “Opens” Japan to Trade, Part I

Background: Commodore Perry Arrives in Japan

On July 8, 1853, residents of Uraga on the outskirts of Edo, the sprawling capital of feudal Japan, beheld an astonishing sight. Four foreign warships had entered their harbor under a cloud of black smoke, not a sail visible among them. They were, startled observers quickly learned, two coal-burning steamships towing two sloops under the command of a dour and imperious American. Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry had arrived to force the long-secluded country to open its doors to the outside world.

Commodore Perry's arrival was the first contact the Japanese had ever had with the United States. Two hundred years before, the great military leader of Japan's ruling Shoguns, Tokugawa Ieyasu, had made a fateful decision to close Japan to outside influence. With the exception of a handful of Chinese and Dutch merchant companies, Japan ended all contact with the outside world. Unwelcome foreigners were killed on sight. Japanese citizens were kept from travelling abroad. Under this isolationist policy, the Japanese enjoyed over two centuries of peace and economic stability. Warriors became bureaucrats. Domestic trade flourished. Major highways laced the land. Lively towns dotted the landscape, and great cities came into being. At the time of Perry’s arrival, Edo (later renamed Tokyo) had a population of around one million. The very city that Perry’s tiny fleet approached in 1853 was one of the greatest urban centers in the world, although the outside world was unaware of this.

At this time, American fleets (large groups of ships) were already trading with nations farther east like China and Vietnam. In cities like Canton, they purchased luxury goods like tea, silk, and porcelain, the very items they could get in Japan.

Why did the US want access to Japan?

Background: In the days before the discovery of petroleum, whale oil supplied the fuel for the lamps that illuminated the nights in American homes. In addition, the whale was the source of a boney substance called baleen used in women's corsets, hairbrushes, buggy whips, collar stays and various other products. For almost 400 years, Americans chased whales to near extinction, traveling the globe to find and extract precious oil that was needed to fuel the growing American colonies, and later the expansion of the American frontier and the products of the American industrial revolution. Rapid population growth and economic expansion put ever-greater demands on the whaling industry resulting in longer voyages, rising costs, and the depletion of its resource base.

Document A: Polynesian- Hawaiian Weekly Newspaper, 1845, M.E. Bowles, Captain of the whaling ship Jane

"The idea sometimes advanced by Captains of ships, who ought to know better, that 'there are now as many whales as ever there were, that they had only been driven from particular grounds, &c.' is preposterous (unlikely) in the extreme....That the poor whale is doomed to utter extermination, or at least so near to it that too few will remain to tempt the cupidity (greed) of man, I have not a doubt."

Document B: Whale Chart, Japan in grey (detail, color added) by M.F. Maury, US Navy, 1851 New Bedford Whaling Museum

1. Why would the Americans be interested in the waters off the coast of Japan?

Document C: “Japan” David Murray, Ph.D., LL.D., Late Advisor to the Japanese Minister of Education, New York, 1896

Several causes contributed to the creation of a special interest in the United States of America, concerning the opening of negotiations with Japan. One of these was the magnitude(great size) to which the whale fishery had attained (grown), and the large financial investments held in this industry by American citizens. A second cause was the opening of China to foreign trade as a result of the opium war. But the most active cause was the discovery of gold in California in 1848, and the consequent development of that state as a centre of trade. It was an early scheme to run a line of steamers from San Francisco to the newly opened ports of China. To Hong Kong the distance is about 6,149 nautical miles, and if a steamer is to traverse the whole distance without a break, she must carry an enormous load of coal. The only remedy lay in establishing a coaling station on the Japanese islands, and this could only be effected when Japan abandoned her policy of seclusion and entered with a free heart into the comity of nations.

Simplified: Several causes made the United States have a special interest in opening negotiations with Japan. One of these was the great size of the whale fishing industry and the large financial investments American citizens had made in that business. A second cause was the new access Americans had to trade with China as a result of the Opium War. But the most important cause was the discovery of gold in California in 1848, because it made California a center of trade. It was an early plan to run steamer ships from San Francisco to the newly opened ports of China. To Hong Kong, the distance is about 6,149 nautical miles, and if a steam ship is to go the whole distance and back without stopping, she must carry an enormous load of coal (for the steam engine). The only way to fix this was to place a coaling station on the Japanese islands, but this could only happen when Japan gave up her policy of isolationism (staying out of world trade) and joined other nations (in trade) with a free heart.

1. What are three advantages the United States will get if it can open trade with Japan?

Document D: President Millard Fillmore’s letter to the Emperor of Japan, 1852 (delivered to Japan)

GREAT AND GOOD FRIEND: I entertain the kindest feelings toward your majesty's person and government, and that I have no other object in sending him to Japan but to propose to your imperial majesty that the United States and Japan should live in friendship and have commercial intercourse with each other.

The Constitution and laws of the United States forbid all interference with the religious or political concerns of other nations. I have particularly charged Commodore Perry to abstain from every act which could possibly disturb the tranquility of your imperial majesty's dominions.

…I am desirous that our two countries should trade with each other, for the benefit both of Japan and the United States.

We know that the ancient laws of your imperial majesty's government do not allow of foreign trade, except with the Chinese and the Dutch; but as the state of the world changes and new governments are formed, it seems to be wise, from time to time, to make new laws.

We have directed Commodore Perry to beg your imperial majesty's acceptance of a few presents. They are of no great value in themselves; but some of them may serve as specimens of the articles manufactured in the United States, and they are intended as tokens of our sincere and respectful friendship.

Simplified: Great and good friend: I feel a warm friendship with you personally and with your government, and I have no other plan in sending [Commodore Perry] to Japan except to suggest to you, that the United States and Japan should be friends and trade with each other…..The Constitution of the United States prevents us from interfering (trying to change) the religion or government of other countries. I have specifically told Commodore Perry to stay away from any action that might possibly affect those areas… I want our two countries to trade with each other, for the good of both Japan and the United States…..We know that the old laws of your government to not allow you to trade with foreigners, except the Chinese and the Dutch; but as the world changes and new governments are formed (the USA was only 50 years old at this time), it would be wise, once in a while, to make new laws….We have told Commodore Perry to beg you to accept a few gifts. They are not of any great value by themselves; but some of them may give you an idea of the kinds of things manufactured (made in factories) in the United States and they are given to you as a sign of our honest and respectful friendship.

1. What is the tone of this letter from President Fillmore to the Japanese government?

1. What is President Fillmore saying he wants from Japan?

1. What below the surface (hidden) message is Fillmore sending by calling American manufactured goods “of no great value”?

Why did the US want access to Japan? Write a short paragraph in response (5 sentences minimum). Include a clear thesis answering the question and at least 3 pieces of evidence with reference to primary source documents.