Growing commerce between America and China, the presence of American whalers in waters off Japan, and the increasing monopolization of potential coaling stations by European colonial powers in Asia were all contributing … See more

Although having told the Japanese that he would return the following year, Perry soon learned that Russian admiral Vice-Admiral Yevfimiy Putyatin had … See more

• Black ships
• Gunboat diplomacy
• History of Japan See more

Perry was well aware of the difficulties involved in attempting to establish relations with Japan, and initially protested that he would prefer to command the Mediterranean Squadron See more

Perry chose the black-hulled paddle-wheeled Mississippi as his flagship, and cleared Hampton Roads, Virginia on 24 November 1852. Perry made port calls at Madeira (December 11–15), St Helena (January 10–11), Cape Town (January 24 – February 3), See more

After Perry returned to the United States in 1855, Congress voted to grant him a reward of $20,000 (~$737,000 in 2022) in appreciation of his … See more

• Media related to Perry Expedition at Wikimedia Commons
• Perry Visits Japan: A Visual History See more