Matthew Perry’s Concept And Practice For Far East Expansion

Perry in1852was named the east India Squadron commander to prompt theopening of Japan. On November24,1852, Commodore Perry took a steamerMississippi from the east coast of the United States to the Far East. Although the mainpurpose of the expedition is to prompt the opening of Japan, commodore Perry did notonly limit to this. In the process of the whole expedition commodore Perry formed hisown concept and practice for Far East expansion. The Expedition under Command ofCommodore was penetrated as a clue. This article introduces Commodore Perry’sconcept and practice for China, Japan, Lew Chew, Bonin Islands and the island ofFormosa and discusses the position and influence of Commodore Perry’s concept andpractice for Far East expansion in Pacific business empire.The thesis contains four parts: The introduction is about the sources and meaningof this topic, as well as the summary of former academic research. ChapterⅠmainlyelaborates on the background of the concept and practice for Far East expansion ofPerry. Under the guidance of manifest destiny American harbors were thousands ofmiles nearer to the Far East. To obtain the coal supply harbors and protection of theshipwrecked Americans who landed on Japanese shores, America needed to establisha terminal. The curiosity of Americans longed to add more to the little that was knownof this self-isolated Kingdom. Americans want to spread civilization and Christianityto authoritarian Japan. As a naval officer, commodore Perry wanted to lead the waveof expansion to Far East. Chapter Ⅱ mainly introduces Perry’s concept for Far Eastexpansion. In order to strengthen the trade between china and American, on the onehand, Perry advocated trade routes across the Pacific form the United States toShanghai, China. On the other hand, Perry was not satisfied with the five treaty portsin China, he wanted to see the fully opening of China. The important goal of theexpedition was to make a treaty with Japan. Perry thought that if the treaty was notsmooth, as the first and the easiest measure was to achieve one or more ports ofrefuge and supply in Japan. Perry suggested America to establish ports in Lew Chewif the Japanese government objects to the granting of such ports upon the mainland.Perry even claimed to Lew Chew under the rule of the United States. Inaddition, the Bonin Islands attracted Perry’ eye. Perry planed to establish a colony atin Port Lloyd, Peel Island and gradually expand the scope of the colony. In view ofthe advantages of naval and military important position, Perry suggested to establish asettlement at kelung, the principal port of the island and gradually expand land andprivileges which Perry emphasized was coal mining right. Chapter Ⅲ mainlyintroduces Perry’s practice in expedition. Perry arrived in China when The Taipingrebellion was expanding. The request that Manchu government asked the navalsupport against the rebels was refused by commodore Perry. Perry’s policy of“masterly inactivity”was because wrong choice will seriously affect the Americaninterests in China. Perry visited to Japan twice and eventually the treaty betweenAmerica and Japan was signed. In order to set up ports in and prepare for the futuredevelopment of the United States, Perry visited Lew Chew five times. Five visitsstrengthened the exchanges and understanding between the United States and LewChew. Finally Perry concluded a treaty with Lew Chew. Perry sent two ships in theexpedition to visit Taiwan. On the one hand is to understand the fate of shipwreckedAmericans in Taiwan. On the other hand is the survey of coal field in Taiwan. Afterthe investigation and exploration in Taiwan, the investigation team proved that Taiwanwas rich in coal mines. Chapter Ⅳ is about analysis and evaluation of the Perry’concept and practice for Far East expansion.In this article, the countries and regions which Perry referred to were those havenot yet been or not entirely occupied by western countries. Perry’s concept for FarEast expansion put China in the center position undoubtedly. In order to furtherexpand foreign commerce with China and protect America’s benefits in the Far East,Perry gazed at Japan, Lew Chew, Bonin Islands and the island of Formosa. AlthoughPerry’s Far East concept had not completely accepted by the government he foresawthe future of the American expansion in the Far East and preliminary drew the outlineof the picture for the Pacific empire.