japan alaska

japan alaska - Transcript

Objective To examine the unlocking of Japan and the purchase of Alaska Do Now p 660 1 What is the definition of the term isolationism Isolationism to have little to do with the political affairs of other nations 2 Why was the United States an isolationist country Beginning with the advice of George Washington America wanted to avoid being dragged into Europe s frequent wars

Unlocking Japan Fearing the influence of outsiders Japan chose to completely isolate itself from other nations in the 1600 s The continuation of the intention of introducing the Christian religion having come to our knowledge it is impossible to look on with indifference If in future foreign vessels should come near any port whatsoever the local inhabitants shall drive them away but should they go away peaceably it is not necessary to pursue them Should any foreigners land anywhere they must be arrested or killed and if the ship approaches the shore it must be destroyed Japanese policy 1825
Source When Japan was a secret The Economist December 22nd 2007 January 4th 2008 63

Original version of THE SITUATION IN THE FAR EAST with Russian bear intruding from the north British bulldog in south China Gallic frog in southeast Asia and the American eagle approaching from the Philippines

Whale Chart 1851 United States Navy

Why did the U S want to establish a relationship with Japan 1 TRADE to sell U S goods to Japanese consumers 2 SAILORS to ensure proper treatment of shipwrecked U S sailors 3 FUEL to purchase fuel coal from the Japanese for U S whaling and fishing ships

President Fillmore sent Commodore Mat Perry to Japan in 1853

Japanese portrayal of Commodore Matthew Perry Commodore Matthew Perry

Perry arrived with four steam powered warships impressing the Japanese

Above Commodore Perry s Black Ships in 1853 Left a Japanese ship 1850 s made so Japanese sailors would be unable to sail beyond the shores of Japan

Perry returned to Japan in 1854 with twice as many ships The Treaty of Kanagawa was signed in March of 1854 in which the U S received all of their demands from the Japanese

Commodore Perry Meeting the Imperial Commissioners at Yokohama

Dinner Given to the Japanese Commissioners Aboard the U S S F Powhatan

Effects on Japan Japan realized that they needed to become more modern and industrialized

In 1860 Japan sent their first steam powered warship the Kanrin Maru to the United States in order to show the world that Japan had mastered Western navigation techniques and ship technologies

Alaska Secretary of State William Seward bought Alaska from Russia for 7 2 million in 1867

Secretary of State William Seward

Many Americans referred to the purchase as Seward s Folly or Seward s Icebox thinking Alaska was a barren wasteland

1867 map from U S Coast Survey Office

On March 30 1867 the United States agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia for 7 2 million dollars about two cents an acre Seward s Folly many called it after Secretary of State William H Seward A check for 7 200 000 00 was issued on August 1 1868

Thomas Nast ridicules the purchase of Alaska from Russia by depicting Secretary of State William H Seward as an elderly mother caring for her child a small version of Pres Andrew Johnson dressed as Uncle Sam On the wall poster in the cartoon s background Uncle Sam is shown trudging in snowshoes across the icy tundra planting American flags on Alaskan mountaintops as polar bears and walruses watch A picture of an Eskimo family is sarcastically labeled One of the Advantages

Alaska however turned out to be rich in fish gold copper timber oil and coal

The Trans Alaska Pipelin transports oil Alaska s most important export It runs 800 miles from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf

Trans Alaska Pipeline System