What did the Black Ships do?

Answer 1

The Black Ship were the Spanish'/Portuguese explorers/adventurers/merchants of the 16th century and was expanded to include all western style sailing ships.

In the 16th century machinations of the Spanish and their Catholic missionaries (and the hiring of Japanese mercenaries to conquer the Philippines) led to Japan's closure and banning of contact with foreigners.  

In 1855 the US squadron, also called Black Ships, was sent to negotiate with Japan, who had been enslaving shipwrecked sailors that washed ashore in Japan. Seeing how far they had fallen behind the world, the strong man Shogun was overthrown by the Emperor, and Japan opened up to the world.

Answer 2

The Black Ship were the Spanish'/Portuguese explorers/adventurers/merchants of the 16th century and was expanded to include all western style sailing ships.

In the 16th century machinations of the Spanish and their Catholic missionaries (and the hiring of Japanese mercenaries to conquer the Philippines) led to Japan's closure and banning of contact with foreigners.  

In 1855 the US squadron, also called Black Ships, was sent to negotiate with Japan, who had been enslaving shipwrecked sailors that washed ashore in Japan. Seeing how far they had fallen behind the world, the strong man Shogun was overthrown by the Emperor, and Japan opened up to the world.

Answer 3

They forced the Japanese to begin trading with the United States.