How did the United States approach Japan to begin trade?

A. It sent well-armed ships with a letter from President Fillmore demanding trade.

B. It sent gifts and greetings to the shogun with an invitation to visit the United States.

C. It fired upon Japan's coast, invading its shoreline and overtaking its government.

D. It consulted European nations and carved Japan into spheres of influence.

A. It sent well-armed ships with a letter from President Fillmore demanding trade

The correct answer is A. To begin trade with Japan, the United States sent well-armed ships with a letter from President Fillmore demanding trade. As a result, the Convention of Kanagawa was signed.

The Convention of Kanagawa was signed on March 31, 1854 between Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States and the authorities of Japan, in the Japanese port of Shimoda. This treaty ended with 251 years of isolation from Japan and, at the same time, with its policy of exclusion, thus opening the Japanese ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to trade with the United States, guaranteeing the safety of US shipwrecks and establishing a permanent consul.

The Convention of Kanagawa was followed by the Treaty of Amity and Commerce (US-Japan) of 1858, which allowed the concession of foreign establishments, extra territories for them and minimum tariffs for US imports.