The Mission Of The Commodore Matthew C.Perry’s Japan Expedition In 1853-1854

The leadership of Commodore Matthew Perry in the opening of Japan to Western is well-known.Rarely,however,does one pay much attention to the details of the expedition.Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan is an official report submitted by Perry after his Japan expedition.The report consists of compact,detailed government records and documents,it also truly records the motivation of the expedition and processes of the U.S.to make the expedition plan.Moreover,it provides us precious record to comprehend the Commodore how to execute the plan.The U.S.increasing interest in trade with Asia and Japan’s prominent strategic value took Matthew Perry to Japan.The commendation of Palmer and Captain Glynn formed the immediate background to the decision to undertake a mission to Japan by Commodore Matthew Perry.The mission of the Japan expedition is mainly reflected in two documents:the president’s letter to the emperor of Japan,and the recommendation to Perry from U.S.government.The U.S.government desired to achieve the following objectives:1.establishment of coaling stations;2.help American sailors and vessels wrecked on their coasts,supply with provision,water and other articles for them;3.provide for protection and kindness to shipwrecked whalers;4.free trade with two countries and appoint some ports for it use.However,Perry also submitted a private letter of credence to the emperor with the president’s letter on July 14.The credence repeated basic goals mentioned by Fillmore beside the trade issues.The commodore had its own consideration on Japan expedition.He considered Japan as a political problem rather than commercial,he even believed Japan would be a strategic step for U.S.strategic control of the Pacific Ocean.According to Tyler Dennett,he was the "first comprehensive statement of the basis of an American policy for the Pacific."Commodore Perry did his best preparations to fulfill the mission.His visionary and effective strategies in Japan characterized military martial and cultural diplomacy.Finally,the two countries concluded a treaty(the Kanagawa treaty),and Commodore Perry fulfilled most of his mission.The expedition represented the first success of American gunboat diplomat in the pacific,and the beginning of the end of Japanese isolation.Matthew Perry established the basis of the Asia Pacific business empire for the U.S..