Which of the following statements best describes the effect of Matthew Perry’s expedition on Japan?

Question

Perry’s arrival in Japan demonstrated the power of the Tokugawa Shogunate against foreign invasion
Perry’s arrival in Japan led to the arrival of Shinto missionaries and the persecution of christians
Perry’s arrival in Japan was embraced by the Tokugawa Shogunate as a way to solidify their power against internal disputes
Perry’s arrival in Japan exposed the weaknesses of the Tokugawa Shogunate against the threat of a modernizing world

Answer 1

The statement that best describes the effect of Matthew Perry’s expedition on Japan is:

"Perry’s arrival in Japan exposed the weaknesses of the Tokugawa Shogunate against the threat of a modernizing world."

Perry's expedition in 1853 and the subsequent Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854 forced Japan to open its ports to American trade, highlighting the shogunate's inability to resist Western pressures and signaling the beginning of the end for the Tokugawa regime. This moment marked a significant turning point in Japan's history, leading to modernization efforts and the eventual Meiji Restoration.