The Treaty of Kanagawa is a significant agreement between the United States and Japan, signed in 1854. Commodore Matthew Perry, representing the US, negotiated the treaty with representatives of the Tokugawa shogunate, the ruling government of Japan at the time. The treaty opened two Japanese ports, Shimoda and Hakodate, to American trade and established diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Treaty of Kanagawa: A Landmark Agreement
The Treaty of Kanagawa, signed on March 31, 1854, between the United States and Japan, marked a significant turning point in Japan’s history. It opened the door to foreign trade and ended Japan’s centuries-old policy of isolation.
Provisions of the Treaty
The treaty contained several key provisions that had a profound impact on Japan:
- Opening of Two Ports: The treaty opened the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American trade and residence.
- Extraterritoriality: American citizens were granted extraterritoriality, meaning they were subject to American law and not Japanese law.
- Minimal Tariffs: Japan agreed to impose only a 5% tariff on American goods.
- Coal and Provisions: Japan granted the United States the right to purchase coal and other provisions from designated Japanese ports.
Treaty Context
The Treaty of Kanagawa was negotiated by Commodore Matthew Perry, who had arrived in Japan in 1853 with a squadron of American warships. Perry’s mission was to establish diplomatic relations with Japan and to open the country to trade.
Impact of the Treaty
The Treaty of Kanagawa had a lasting impact on Japan. It:
- Ended Isolation: The treaty marked the end of Japan’s isolationist policy, known as sakoku.
- Increased Trade: The treaty led to a significant increase in trade between Japan and the United States.
- Political Reforms: The treaty put pressure on the Tokugawa shogunate, Japan’s ruling government, to implement political and economic reforms.
- Modernization: The treaty paved the way for Japan’s modernization, as it allowed the country to access Western technology and ideas.
Significance
The Treaty of Kanagawa is regarded as a turning point in Japanese history. It set the stage for the opening of Japan to foreign influence and the eventual adoption of Western principles. The treaty is often considered the beginning of the Meiji Restoration, a period of rapid modernization and reform in Japan.
Timeline:
- 1853: Commodore Perry arrives in Japan with a squadron of warships.
- 1854: Treaty of Kanagawa is signed.
- 1868: Meiji Restoration begins.
Table of Key Treaty Provisions
| Provision | Description |
|---|---|
| Opening of Ports | Shimoda and Hakodate open to American trade and residence |
| Extraterritoriality | American citizens not subject to Japanese law |
| Tariffs | 5% tariff on American goods |
| Coal and Provisions | Japan grants United States right to purchase coal and provisions |
Question 1: What was a significant outcome of the Treaty of Kanagawa?
Answer: The Treaty of Kanagawa opened two Japanese ports to foreign trade and established a United States consular presence in Japan.
Question 2: What was the primary motivation for Japan to sign the Treaty of Kanagawa?
Answer: Japan’s desire to avoid further conflict with Western powers and to open up its economy to foreign trade motivated them to sign the Treaty of Kanagawa.
Question 3: How did the Treaty of Kanagawa affect the relationship between Japan and the United States?
Answer: The Treaty of Kanagawa marked the beginning of diplomatic relations between Japan and the United States, and it laid the foundation for increased trade and interaction between the two countries.
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