Treaty of Kanagawa

The Treaty of Kanagawa, signed in 1854 between the United States and Japan, marked the end of Japan's 200-year period of isolation. It established a diplomatic relationship by opening two Japanese ports to American ships for trade and allowed for the safe treatment of shipwrecked sailors. This treaty was significant as it paved the way for further interactions between Japan and Western powers, leading to Japan’s modernization and its eventual emergence as a global power. It symbolized a shift in Japan's foreign policy and the beginning of its integration into the global economy.