The Open Door Policy:
In 1898 President McKinley demanded an “open door.” This would allow all trading and commercial activity have access to the Chinese market. This statement was issued in the form of circular notes made my John Hay, who was the Secretary of State. Within the next year John Hay purposed a free, open market and equal trading opportunity for merchants of all nationalities. Hay argued that making equal access to commerce would benefit American traders and also the U.S Economy. He also wanted the Open Door to prevent disagreements between the powers operating in China. Not everyone agreed with these ideas but no one came out and disagreed with them. Hay wanted the approval of the British and Japanese governments. Each country convinced one another to agree with the terms. Then in 1900 China was having problems that threatened the chance of the open door policy. The Boxer Rebellion act began attack on foreign missionaries and they also made Chinese convert to Christianity. They were very violent. Hay expressed the open door policy at the same time the U.S. was doing everything in our power to close to door on Chinese immigration in the United States. That’s when the Page Act and the Exclusion Act took place.
Personal thoughts- I thought this topic was kind of confusing. But I understand it was meant for trading between countries. None of the websites I looked at actually said if they used this policy or not. And the other websites about it were blocked so this was kind of a hard topic to research.
sources:
http://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/HayandChina
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/429642/Open-Door-policy
Pictures:
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Comments
This policy was used but not official until the 1920's. If sites are blocked, be sure to email them to me or check them at home.