The term "Black Ships" refers to a fleet of American warships led by Commodore Matthew Perry that arrived in Japan in 1853. This event marked the end of Japan's isolationist policy and led to the opening of Japanese ports to foreign trade.
Related terms
Treaty of Kanagawa: A treaty signed between the United States and Japan in 1854, following Perry's arrival. It allowed American ships to access Japanese ports for trade purposes.
Meiji Restoration: A period during which Japan underwent major political and social reforms after realizing its vulnerability due to encounters with Western powers.
Imperialism: The policy or practice of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. In this context, it refers to Western nations' efforts to gain control over other countries or regions, including Japan.