Diplomatic visits of commodore M. Perry to Liu Chui island in 1852 and 1853 and its international repercussions

Abstract

The article highlights the diplomatic mission of the American Commodore M. Perry to Liu Chui Islands, during the large-scale military expedition of the US Navy Fleet to Japan in 1852 – 1853. The publication of official documents related to the mission of M. Perry, memoirs and travel notes of the members` of that expedition were used as the information source. The author believes that the main purpose of Perry’s visit to Liu Chui Island was dictated by the desire to open the Island to American trade, and in the prospect, to bring the Island into subjection of the US protectorate. Perry has used a range of methods to implement these tasks, from pure diplomacy to direct pressure using the armed assault. As a result, the Commodore succeeded, and the Island, despite the protests of the local authorities in 1853, was opened to foreign trade. This action allowed US to become the second of the most powerful countries in East Asia after the United Kingdom. The process of establishing the contacts between the leader of the expedition and the local authorities of the Island has been examined, as well as the conducted negotiations during the first (1852) and second (1853) Perry`s visits to the capital of the archipelago – the city of Nappa, which resulted in opening this Island to Western trade. For a long time the local governor has been dragging out the negotiations process, but he had to agree to the US’ terms, after the US marines seized his palace up. The United States had an opportunity to trade on Liu Chui Island, purchase the coal for their ships, so as they got freedom of movement across its territory. However, after two decades, the United States abandoned the claims to the Islands. The reasons for this are to be investigated by the author in his following research works.

Keywords

• m. perry
• liu chui island
• japan
• the united states