Convention of Kanagawa
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On March 31, 1854, the Convention of Kanagawa (日米和親条約 Nichibei Washin Jōyaku?) or Kanagawa Treaty (神奈川条約 Kanagawa Jōyaku?) was concluded between Commodore Matthew Perry of the U.S. Navy and the Empire of Japan. The treaty opened the Japanese ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to United States trade, guaranteed the safety of shipwrecked U.S. sailors and established a permanent consul. This was an unequal treaty on Japan. However, the emergence of Perry's fleet would trigger to end Japan's 200 year policy of seclusion (Sakoku).
Perry initially refused to deal with Japanese officials and demanded to speak with the Japanese Head of State. At the time, Shogun Tokugawa Ieyoshi was the de-facto ruler of Japan; for the Emperor to interact in any way with foreigners was out of the question. In the end Perry concluded the treaty with representatives of the Shogun and not the Emperor. This treaty also caused a civil war that started in 1860. it was later resolved in 1867 and gave the emperor his power that was rightfully his.
The Kanagawa treaty was followed by the United States-Japan Treaty of Amity and Commerce, the "Harris Treaty" of 1858, which allowed the establishment of foreign concessions, extra-territoriality for foreigners, and minimal import taxes for foreign goods.
Similar treaties were subsequently negotiated by the Russians, the French, and the British.
[edit] Kanagawa Treaty House
The Convention was negotiated and was then signed in a purpose-built house in Yokohama, Japan.
[edit] See also
- United States-Japan Treaty of Amity and Commerce
- Anglo-Japanese Friendship Treaty
- Treaty of Shimoda
- History of Japan
- Unequal Treaties
[edit] External links
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