Open Door Policy

885 Words2 Pages

The Open Door Policy was established between the United States, and China was established in 1899. It was created to protect the equal trading privileges that many other countries had with China, and also China's territorial integrity. The policy was distributed in the form of a circular to Great Britain, Italy, France, Russia, and Germany by the U.S. Secretary of State John Hay. Each of these countries were given a "sphere" that they influenced, and were responsible for. This statement was most well accepted in the United States, and is often considered to be a milestone when it comes to American foreign policy in Asia. The idea that all countries should have equal access to all of China's ports was first introduced in the Anglo-Chinese, …show more content…

As result of the Spanish-American War the United States had recently gained Philippines, Hawaii, and Guam in 1898. Shortly after the United States had a growing in China, because of how cost effect it would be manufacture cotton textiles.The Open Door policy of 1899 stated three main points have continuous trade with China. The first point being that each great power would have free access to the treaty ports, and any other interests it had vested in it's "sphere". Second stating that only the Chinese government was allowed to collect taxes on trade that comes through the ports. Finally that no great power, meaning the United States, Germany, France, and Russia should be exempt from paying harbor dues, or railroad charges. The replies to the policy were not always in agreement, but Hay still took them as agreeing to the …show more content…

In China the Open Door policy ended up causing the Boxer Rebellion. In 1900 European armies were sent to suppress the Boxer Rebellion, because of the chaotic circumstances. At this point John Hay made the choice to send out a second circular, included in this circular was a statement from Hay talking about how important it was to maintain China's territorial, and administrative integrity. Even though John was not looking to get a response from the circular, all the powers seemed to be in agreement except for Japan. Later in 1915 broke the Open Door Policy when they presented the Twenty-One Demands to China. Which stated that Japan was going to enjoy the same privileges as the rest of the powers, China was forced to expect on May 25th, because of their involvement in World War I. Soon after in 1921 the Nine Power Treaty was created at the Washington Conference, which restored the privilege After World War II, and the communist taking over China in 1949, during the Chinese civil war foreigners were no longer granted the same privileges which voided the Open Door

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