The End of Japan's Self-Isolation in 1854 and its Aftermath

Abstract

The presented paper is dedicated to one of the most important issues in the history of Japan. In particular, the completion of the country's self-isolation in 1854 or its so-called "opening" with the efforts of the United States and discussion of the following events. Indicated issues in the paper are presented in light of international relations as well as political and socio-economical situation in Japan.To avoid the threat of losing country's political independence and ideological unity, the ruling Tokugawa government pursued a strict anti-Western and anti-Christian policy, which eventually culminated in the closure of the country. Japan was in self-isolation for more than two centuries - from 1639 to 1854. It maintained minimal relations with neighboring Korea and China, and from European countries - only with the Netherlands.

With insistence of the United States, on March 31, 1854, the first „Peace and Friendship Treaty“ was signed between Japan and the United States, under which the U.S. gained a number of privileges in Japan. Following the footsteps of the U.S similar concessions were
demanded from Japan by the great European powers and Russia. Due to the difficult political and economic situation, government was forced to conclude kabbalistic agreements that violated the sovereign rights of the country with them. It is true that Japan found itself in a network of unequal treaties, however, the main thing in this case was that a whole new page of the country's history was unfolded. In the end, the direct result of Japan's opening was positive innovation processes developed in the country in political, socio-economic and cultural spheres, which are discussed and analyzed in then paper presented.