= Matthew C. Perry = '''Matthew C. Perry''' was a commodore of the U.S. Navy. <> ---- == History == [[UnitedStates/MillardFillmore|Fillmore]] ordered a military expedition to open [[Japan]] for international trade, using force if necessary. Perry was appointed to lead this expedition. These "black ships" arrived in [[Japan/Tokyo|Edo Bay]] on July 14th, 1853. A letter of demands was delivered with the understanding that Perry would return the following year. At the '''Convention of Kanagawa''', after significant negotiation, the '''Tokugawa''' shogunate capitulated to most of Perry's demands. The '''Japan-US Treaty of Peace and Amity''' ('''日米和親条約''', ''nichibei washin jouyaku'') was signed on March 31th, 1854, ending the '''sakoku''' ('''鎖国)''' policy. While Perry returned, '''Townsend Harris''' remained as the first U.S. consul to Japan and negotiated a broader treaty (the '''Harris Treaty''') that would be signed in 1858. ---- CategoryRicottone