As the European and United States imperialism developed in the nineteenth century, various policies of coerced “Free Trade”, sometimes known as “Open Door Policies”, were evolved to oppose any particular imperial power obtaining exclusive advantages (which would likely lead to war.) In this climate various initiatives were undertaken to persuade the Japanese to extend commercial relations with Western nations, Japan having formally closed its frontiers to nearly all foreign trade in 1635 (q.v.).
In 1844-6 visits were made by British and French warships “requesting” trading relations. The Japanese response was to strengthen its isolation and increase spending on coastal and maritime defences. The United States had a particular need for port facilities for its Pacific merchant
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Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Opening of Japan". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 13 September 2005 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1587, accessed 23 November 2024.]
