Q&A · 2:04:47-2:05:07

The limits of Adams's naval legacy

He contributed less than he potentially could have, and his work served the purposes of the rulers employing him.

Question

How far did Adams establish infrastructure for a larger Japanese navy, possibly influencing nineteenth-century development?

Short answer

He contributed less than he potentially could have, and his work served the purposes of the rulers employing him.

Notes

Adams's naval work probably fell short of what his skills made possible. His employers used those skills for their own purposes. A direct connection to a larger nineteenth-century Japanese navy remains unestablished.