The Bakumatsu (Part 1): Opening of Japan

After Perry and the Bakufu signed the Treaty of Kanagawa in March 1854, floodgates opened to Japan for foreign countries to demand treaties giving Japanese a semi-colonial status. Explore the following events after the Treaty of Kanagawa and rise in interaction with the so-called foreign “barbarians.”

The Bakumatsu (Introduction): The Fall and Decline of the Tokugawa Shogunate

The Bakumatsu ended about a millennium history of shoguns that fascinated and led Japan. Explore Japan’s dissent during the period of the fall of the Tokugawa Shoguante.

Documents in History: July 1853 Memorial of Tokugawa Nariaki

On July 15, 1853, right after Commodore Perry left the Edo Bay, Tokugawa Nariaki, a known nationalist, Daimyo of Mito, sent a memorial to Edo giving 10 reasons for waging war against the Americans or other foreigners. Explore the document bellow.

Perry Expedition and the Opening of Japan (Part 11): Effects of the Perry Expedition

After signing the Treaty of Kanagawa and ending his second visit to Japan, tremendous change followed. Explore the effects of Perry's expedition to the United States and Japan.

Perry Expedition and the Opening of Japan (Part 10): Visit to Shimoda and Hakodadi

Right after the Treaty of Kanagawa was signed, Perry then journeyed to visit the ports given access to them. Explore what Commodore Perry and his squadron experienced from these two ports.

Perry Expedition and the Opening of Japan (Part 9): The Treaty of Kanagawa

Yezaiman proposed Yokohama as a new location for a meeting. But would the Americans agree and what other hurdles did Perry faced to achieve his goal of a treaty. Explore the obstacles that Perry and the Japanese commissioners faced before signing a landmark treaty that changed Japan forever.

Perry Expedition and the Opening of Japan (Part 8): Second Arrival of Perry

After the Russians left, Perry rushed back to Japan, only to face an obstructionist Japanese tactics. But with an old friend from the previous visit, the path towards Japan’s opening began. Explore Perry’s return to Japan and difficulty that both sides faced from each other.