America was a major combatant in one of the bloodiest wars in human history, World War Two. If America had not entered this conflict, the outcome may have been completely different, and the world significantly different than from what it is now. It may have been the attack on Pearl Harbor that officially marked America’s entrance into the war, but the reason actually stems back about 90 years ago, when Commodore Mathew Perry forced Japan open to trade. It was Commodore Perry who encountered Japan after 90 long years in America’s stead that inadvertently exchanged ideas with the Japanese and sowed the seeds for World War Two. Rapid economic and military growth coupled with a deep-seated hatred for the west after Perry’s forced encounter in 1854,
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Being forced into it, Japan did not have the grounds to be able to haggle with Perry. This angered the Japanese people, but the two sides did make compromises for each other. America was free to be able to refuel their steam ships in the designated ports and trade, but the Treaty of Kanagawa realistically have them little to benefit from the agreement. Ships of the United States were even, “permitted to carry away whatever articles they are unwilling to exchange” (Kanagawa). This meant that the U.S ships did not have to listen to the Japanese port authority and were free to do what they wished. If it not had been for Perry’s great show of force and technological advancements, Japan would have been on somewhat equal footing and be able to negotiate for more benefits to themselves. This only fueled the Japanese’s desire to get on equal footing with the other nations. Even in their artwork from the time, the Japanese viewed the Americans as monsters invading their sanctuary (warship). Perry and his group of warships were viewed as large monsters looking over the smaller, innocent beings. Their arrival cast a darkness over the citizens of Japan. In reality, America was similar to predators taking advantage of their prey’s presence. It was Commodore Perry and his expeditionary team that subconsciously forced Japan to accept the unfair treaty. But sticking to their plan, the Japanese followed what the Americans wanted, knowing full well that they would eventually catch up with them and finally be able to control their fate. With this, the Japanese believed that, “…allowing western merchants into the country was the first step in this process” (Bigelow 15). In order to prevent the world powers from dominating Japan, they had to become one of them. And only then will the Japanese people be able to hold a candle against the great super powers of the time. Masahiro Abe, the shogunate at the
Being forced into it, Japan did not have the grounds to be able to haggle with Perry. This angered the Japanese people, but the two sides did make compromises for each other. America was free to be able to refuel their steam ships in the designated ports and trade, but the Treaty of Kanagawa realistically have them little to benefit from the agreement. Ships of the United States were even, “permitted to carry away whatever articles they are unwilling to exchange” (Kanagawa). This meant that the U.S ships did not have to listen to the Japanese port authority and were free to do what they wished. If it not had been for Perry’s great show of force and technological advancements, Japan would have been on somewhat equal footing and be able to negotiate for more benefits to themselves. This only fueled the Japanese’s desire to get on equal footing with the other nations. Even in their artwork from the time, the Japanese viewed the Americans as monsters invading their sanctuary (warship). Perry and his group of warships were viewed as large monsters looking over the smaller, innocent beings. Their arrival cast a darkness over the citizens of Japan. In reality, America was similar to predators taking advantage of their prey’s presence. It was Commodore Perry and his expeditionary team that subconsciously forced Japan to accept the unfair treaty. But sticking to their plan, the Japanese followed what the Americans wanted, knowing full well that they would eventually catch up with them and finally be able to control their fate. With this, the Japanese believed that, “…allowing western merchants into the country was the first step in this process” (Bigelow 15). In order to prevent the world powers from dominating Japan, they had to become one of them. And only then will the Japanese people be able to hold a candle against the great super powers of the time. Masahiro Abe, the shogunate at the