The Challenge to Isolation
nIn 1853 an American naval squadron commanded by Matthew Perry forced the opening of Japan to the West.
•Perry’s negotiations won the right to station a consul
and open ports for commerce.
•European nations quickly secured equal rights.
•The shogunate bureaucrats had yielded to Western naval superiority; other Japanese favored the ending of
isolation.
•They were opposed by conservative daimyos.
•All sides appealed to the emperor.
