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===Decline and Fall===

===Decline and Fall===

The period of the shogunate's decline and fall is known as the [[Bakumatsu period]], which is typically said to begin in [[1853]], with the arrival of Commodore [[Matthew Perry]] and the [[Black Ships]]. Though most of the Western powers had similar interests in Japan, and similar geographic position of bases, colonies, or trade routes in East Asia and/or the Pacific, it has been argued that it was the acquisition of California in [[1848]] and the desire for a refueling station conveniently located between [[San Francisco]] and [[Shanghai]] that contributed to the US being the one to put sufficient force behind the effort to make it successful.<ref>Schirokauer et al., 161.</ref>

The period of the shogunate's decline and fall is known as the [[Bakumatsu period]], which is typically said to begin in [[1853]], with the arrival of Commodore [[Matthew Perry]] and the [[Black Ships]]. Though most of the Western powers had similar interests in Japan, and similar geographic position of bases, colonies, or trade routes in East Asia and/or the Pacific, it has been argued that it was the acquisition of California in [[1848]] and the desire for a refueling station conveniently located between [[San Francisco]] and [[Shanghai]] that contributed to the US being the one to put sufficient force behind the effort to make it successful.<ref name=brief161>Schirokauer et al., 161-162.</ref>

 

Perry arrived in Japan in July 1853 with four ships, then returned in February the following year in a fleet of eight ships. The [[Convention of Kanagawa]] signed at that time opened the ports of [[Hakodate]] and [[Shimoda]] to American ships, obligated the Japanese authorities to provide good treatment for shipwrecked sailors throughout Japan, and arranged for the establishment of formal relations in the Western mode, with an American consul to be sent to Japan soon afterwards. Japan concluded similar [[Unequal Treaties]] with France and England in [[1855]], and with Russia and the Netherlands in [[1857]]. That first American consul, [[Townsend Harris]], arrived in Japan in [[1856]], and soon afterwards concluded the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, also known as the [[Harris Treaty]], which secured further benefits for the US; similar treaties were then signed between Japan and a number of the chief European powers.<ref name=brief161/>

<!--Please expand. As there are (or will be) separate articles for Bakumatsu, Meiji Restoration, etc, there is no need for an extremely extensive, thorough, or detailed treatment here, but all the key points should be covered.-->

<!--Please expand. As there are (or will be) separate articles for Bakumatsu, Meiji Restoration, etc, there is no need for an extremely extensive, thorough, or detailed treatment here, but all the key points should be covered.-->