Week 4: Perry Expedition
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Week 4: Perry Expedition Zachary Francis Farr (1M180050-0) Keola Kittaka (1M171116-8) Shunichiro Mita (1M190241-7) Wei Lin Bernice Pua (1M170387-8) Times Magazine - One of Britain's oldest newspapers - Founded in 1785 by John Walters - Developed into a strong independent paper and well respected - The very epitome of the British establishment - Written 1 year before Perry's expedition British Imperialism in China The Times' article constantly mentions Britain's activities in China and compares with Perry's expedition. - Motive for Britain was economic - High demand for silk, tea and porcelain in the British market - Britain did not have enough silver to trade with Qing empire Opium Wars - System of barter based on Indian opium was created to bridge this problem of payment - China's struggles with opium addiction led to social instability - Clashes between British merchants and the Qing government led to Opium Wars -Treaty of Nanjing Japan during the Sakoku period - Trading with only one European nation, the Netherlands - Trading limited to two ships a year worth 300,000 dollars - From Batavia to the port of Nagasaki (Dejima) - Additionally ten chinese junks were annually permitted Imports and Exports Imports into Japan - Sugar, cotton thread, tin, black pepper, cloves, seads, lead, span wood etc. Exports from Japan - copper and camphor - previously rice, wheat, cotton thread, silk etc. Britain's effort to trade with Japan Samarang - Last english ship to visit Nagasaki - 40 years ago 1616, Emperor granted permission to trade 1672, failed to renew their intercourse with Japan English men of business against trading, since japanese copper might interfere with British mines Blame the Dutch for its traditional policy of maintaining monopolies in eastern waters Research on the Geography The article clearly states its lack of information and knowledge on Japan Surveys of the Nagasaki waters were carefully made US whaling ships acquainted with the navigation along The east shore and the straights of Sangara The Times's take on Perry's Expedition The article's clear support towards Perry's expedition to Japan Pushing for non-violent ways of opening the country Often compares with the violent methods that the Britain used with China Perry's expedition would hopefully prove to be the counterpart of Britain and wish him success and use it as good purpose On The American Expedition to Japan: Background • Originally from the New York Courier and Enquirer and presented in The Times • Makes reference to Kossuth a.k.a. Lajos Kossuth de Udvard et Kossuthfalva • Rose to position of governor-president during the Hungarian Civic Revolution in 1848 • Well known for his speech to the U.S. in 1850 • Article also mentions and relates a warlike expedition to Narciso Lopez • Lopez attempted to take Cuba with a group made of mostly southerners, his first attempt being in 1849 The Hungarian Civic Revolution • Arose from tensions between Austria and Hungary • Demands made for a constitutional monarchy and independence from Austria • Resulted in conflict after the demands were to be presented to the monarch • The initial revolution ended in a day with no bloodshed • Austrians would later manipulate neighboring countries and wage war on the Hungarian people • Conflict would end with the defeat of Hungary The Stance of the New York Courier and Enquirer • The article shows an anti-conflict stance, but still in favor of the expedition • Instead an approach through trade is suggested • Considers show of force to be effective to convince a treaty to occur • Still many undertones of Social Darwinism • “It is the right of civilized and Christian nations to compel barbarian to submit to the general law of nations.” • “It becomes the duty of a commercial people to remedy the evil.” • “Commerce is the greater civilizer of mankind” The Value of Japan • Revenue of Japan is estimated to be $140M • Valuable place for providing safe haven to ships • Would allow for american whaling to expand further • Copper, silver, gold and silk being sent to China at this time • Article speculates a trade of iron, cotton good and other items for dyewoods, silver, and gold • “Cultural Debris” Where did Perry arrive? ・It is said that Perry arrived at Uraga ・However, the truth is that he actually arrived at Kurihama which is 3 miles south from Uraga How Perry kept contact with Japanese governor ・Perry did not want to meet Japanese governor Why→ He did not want to follow the order from Japanese governor ・Perry wanted to make the Convention of Kanagawa(日米和親条約)absolutely profitable for US. ・So the way they kept in touch was by sending letters using the subordinate of Perry or the Japanese governor ・However, the day before the departure of squadron, the governor came to meet Perry and made the convention a little fair Convention of Kanagawa ・Convention of Peace and Amity between the United States of America and the Empire of Japan ・1854 March 31st ・12~13 ・it was a rule made between the US and Japan (at Kanagawa) ・Hakodate and Shimoda ・Perry firmly negotiated with Japan to stop “sakoku” ・Japan did not go against this why→to avoid war ・UK, Russia, and Netherland as well ・need to give food and fuel Why? ・whaling → it is convenient ・US wanted to trade with some Asian countries ・the biggest purpose of the convention was food and fuel ・the reason of Shimoda and Hakodate were chose to be opened Pride & Prejudice: America’s letters to & about Japan Western media coverage and even official correspondence with other countries frequently adopted tones of inherent superiority, disguised with quasi-cultural curiosity or thinly-veiled condescension. • “We had, however, passed our word to negotiate there, and we made a new era in Eastern Diplomacy by keeping it.” • “But, if our first adventurers come here under the impression that the Japanese are ignorant because they are inexperienced in commerce, they will find themselves mistaken, for not even the China-men understand the art of making things appear to the greatest advantage with more skill than the Japanese. The presents of fruits and sweetmeats were so arranged in the boxes as to appear of thrice the real quantity, and everything is so contrived as to be over-estimated by all but the closest observer.” Millard Fillmore’s First Letter (13th Nov. 1852) “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 tranquillity of your imperial majesty’s dominions. 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.“ Millard Fillmore’s First Letter (13th Nov. 1852) “It sometimes happens, in stormy weather that one of our ships is wrecked on your imperial majesty’s shores. In all such cases we ask, and expect that our unfortunate people should be treated with kindness, and that their property should be protected till we can send a vessel and bring them away. We are very much in earnest in this. 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 Edo: friendship, commerce, a supply of coal and provisions and protection for our shipwrecked people.” Perry’s First Letter (7th July, 1853) “The undersigned, commander‑in‑chief of all the naval forces of the United States of America stationed in the East India, China and Japan seas, has been sent by his government of this country, on a friendly mission, with ample powers to negotiate with the government of Japan, touching certain matters which have been fully set forth in the letter of the President of the United States, copies of which, together with copies of the letter of credence of the undersigned, in the English, Dutch, and Chinese languages, are here with transmitted. The original of the President’s letter, and of the letter of credence, prepared in a manner suited to the exalted station of your imperial majesty, will be presented by the undersigned in person, when it may please your majesty to appoint a day for his reception.” Perry’s First Letter (7th July, 1853) “The undersigned has been commanded to state that the President entertains the most friendly feelings towards Japan, but has been surprised and grieved to learn that when any of the people of the United States go, of their own accord, or are thrown by the perils of the sea, within the dominations of your imperial majesty, they are treated as if they were your worst enemies. With the Americans, as indeed with all Christian people, it is considered a sacred duty to receive with kindness, and to succour and protect all, of whatever nation, who may be cast upon their shores, and such has been the course of the Americans with respect to all Japanese subjects who have fallen under their protection.” Perry’s First Letter (7th July, 1853) “We have now large cities, from which, with the aid of steam vessels, we can reach Japan in eighteen or twenty days; that our commerce with all this region of the globe is rapidly increasing, and the Japan seas will soon be covered with our vessels. Therefore, as the United States and Japan are becoming every day nearer and nearer to each other, the President desires to live in peace and friendship with your imperial majesty, but no friendship can long exist, unless Japan ceases to act towards Americans as if they were her enemies.