G
L OB A L
H
IS T ORY
II
How does Japan react to the arrival of
Matthew Perry?
Why are there so
many Japanese Cares in America?
Unit 2 Lesson 3
In 1853 American President Millard C. Fillmore sent Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan with a squadron of
American warships to present the following message to the Japanese Emperor:
GREAT AND GOOD FRIEND: I send you this public letter by Commodore Matthew C. Perry,
an officer of the highest rank in the navy of the United States, and commander of the
squadron now visiting Your imperial majesty’s dominions.
American Commodore
The United States of America reach from ocean to ocean, and our Territory of Oregon and
State of California lie directly opposite to the dominions of your imperial majesty. Our
steamships can go from California to Japan in eighteen days.
Our great State of California produces about sixty millions of dollars in gold every year, besides silver, quicksilver, precious stones, and many other valuable articles. Japan is also a rich and fertile
country, and produces many very valuable articles. Your imperial majesty’s subjects are skilled in many of
the arts. I am desirous that our two countries should trade with each other, for the benefit both of Japan
and the United States.
These are the only objects for which I have sent Commodore Perry, with a powerful squadron, to pay a
visit to your imperial majesty’s renowned city of Yedo: friendship, commerce, a supply of coal and provisions, and protection for our shipwrecked people.
Directions: Perry’s message, while appearing friendly, poses a threat to the Japanese way of life. The Emperor must respond to the American and you and your group must help him. Based upon the documents provided to you below and on
the back make recommendation to the Emperor. Do the Americans come in peace? Should Japan accept their offer of
trade? Are the American’s not being honest? Are the Americans looking to conquer Japan? What will prolonged contact
to the Americans and their culture do to our pristine Japanese way of life? What course of action should Japan follow?
Your Group is the : Defense Ministry:
You are the defense ministry. It is your responsibility to command and properly equip the armed forces of Japan to defend
the home islands and the Emperor.
Reaction of Japanese citizens as Commodore Perry’s fleet sailed into Tokyo Bay:
“We had never seen ships like these. We called them the dragon fleet cause the ships looked like dragons floating on the water. The ships blew dark black smoke as they moved toward the shore on a windless day. The gods
have always protected Japan, but today I fear that the gods no longer side with Japan. These our the first
barbarians who dared to sail into our harbor and there is nothing we can do to stop them.”
Question:
How do the Japanese people feel about their chances in a war against the Americans?
Defense Ministry:
Comparison of the naval strength of United States and Japan:
UNITED STATES
NAVY
Ships: —At least
12
Speed: —20 Knots
Power: —Steam/Sail
Size
—120 Ft.
Crew —160 Men
# of Guns—36
JAPANESE NAVY
Ships: —100
Speed: —12 Knots*
Power: —Sail
Size
—50 Ft
Crew —20 Men
# of Guns — 4
* Speed depends on
wind conditions
Question:
Based upon the information on the reverse side of this handout, who do you think has the advantage in a sea battle?
Assessment of Japanese Intelligence of America’s strength compared to that of Japan:
“We know very little of the Americans, only what we have seen and what they tell us. We have seen 12 of these
dragon ships. Each of these ships is the match of 20 of ours. We fear the American devils have hundreds of ships
like these. The Americans say they come from eighteen days across the ocean. Our ships could not make that trip
in 18 weeks. We know nothing of these steam power the devils possess The gifts they offer the Emperor are
strange and wondrous and are of quality we could never hope to produce.”
Question:
What is the Japanese intelligence assessment of Japan’s chances in a military conflict against the United States?
Recommendation to the Emperor?
Based upon the information you reviewed which of the following options do you recommend? Why?
_____ Refuse to trade with America, this will lead to war, however we will win any fight with the barbarian Americans
_____ Open our ports to trade with the Americans, this will lead to the destruction of our culture and way of life, but
we have no choice, our military is no match for the barbarians.
_____ Find another option, anything, just find something.
Why?