Foreigners and the Tokugawa Shoguns History Alive 8.12

Introduction Limited contact only with Dutch and Chinese Dutch contact continued through Edo period Some European science and literature Many countries wanted to trade in the area so things were going to change

Deijima Island and Rangaku Deijima Island was an artificial island Dutch and Chinese traded from there from 1640 Visited the Shogun on the mainland once a year Gifts of Western inventions – e.g clocks, telescopes, medical instruments Rangaku – Dutch learning

Matthew Perry and the Black Ships Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States Navy sailed four armed warships into Edo harbour in 1853 He threatened military action of Japan did not open to trade He returned in 1854 with twice as many ships and the Japanese agreed to a trade treaty with Japan

USS Saratoga

Unequal Treaties More treaties with European countries followed They were often unequal meaning Japan was treated unfairly For example tariffs (taxes) on imported goods were often very low

Tokugawa Troubles Many samurai were angry that the Tokugawa Shogun had failed to protect Japan from invasion by these foreigners They thought the emperor should be back in power Some, including a powerful clan called the Choshu fought but were defeated Some scholars had a different idea – modernize with western ideas to survive as an independent country

Edo Surrenders The last of the Tokugawa Shoguns, Yoshinobu, was forced to resign Powerful samurai clans seized the imperial palace in Kyoto They declared the ‘restoration’ of the emperor to full power They then attacked Edo and Yoshinobu surrendered peacefully

Edo Surrender cont’d The Emperor then travelled from Kyoto to Edo and moved into the Shogun’s palace The city was renamed Tokyo, meaning ‘Eastern Capital’ A new age in Japanese history had begun.