It is well known that the intrusions of the western powers in the 1850's helped trigger the eventual collapse of the Tokugawa Shogun's. In particular, it was the Black Ships of the United States in 1853 commanded by Commodore Perry.
In a carefully calculated act of intimidation, Perry led a squadron of four warships into Edo Bay. Perry's command ship was a state-of-the-art steamship. At more then 2,400 tons, it overmatched at least 15 Japanese ships put together. The American ships entered Edo Bay at nearly nine knots, leaving the shogunal navy scrambling in their wake.
Shogunal officials were astonished by the ships' armaments. Observing from shore, Kagawa Eizaemon, an aide to the Uraga magistrate, counted about seventy large-caliber cannons. The shogunate had roughly 100 cannons around Edo Bay, but only 11 of these were of comparible caliber.
With four ships Perry had outgunned Japan's supreme warlord. Stunned, shogunal forces were forced to receive President Fillmore's "request" for a treaty with the United States. Perry had "invaded" Japan without firing a shot.
I am surprised they did not do more to upgrade their weaponry after Perry's first landing in Shimoda.
ReplyDeleteThere were many progressive samurai, within and outside the Tokugawa Bakufu, that wanted to modernize quickly. But they were up against even more samurai who demanded all foreigners be expelled and no trade conducted. Remember, Japan was an isolated nation by their own choice for 250 years.
ReplyDeleteIt was this very issue, those who wanted continued isolation and revere the Emperor versus those that wanted the country to open up and modernize. This eventually led to the fall of the Tokugawa Shoguns in 1868. But, by this time, pretty much everyone realized that they had no choice but to open up the nation and modernize in order to stand up against the foreign powers. So even though the emperor was restored to power, they proceeded to expand international trade and to modernize.
That was a really neat summary of an important historical event.
ReplyDeleteBut it does go to show, if you bring enough firepower to the party and you have an opponent smart enough to realize their tactical disadvantage, a favorable treaty can be signed.
That's true. Those who have the power usually get the better deals.
ReplyDeleteOr the better intel...
ReplyDeleteIt's not always necessary to bomb a place when a sniper shot will do.
Or no shot at all, just the threat is enough.
ReplyDelete