The Open Door Policy started with the United States. The United States became an East Asian power once they gained control of the Philippine Islands. China started to become separated by European nations and Japan. This made this United States believe that their trading with China might be threatened. Secretary of State John Hay sent notes to all the major powers (France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and Russia) asking them to not interfere with the United States trade with China. These notes were called the Open Door Notes. The policy said that all European nations and the United States could equally trade with China. Each nation tried to avoid Hay's request by saying they wouldn't agree until all the others agreed also. Eventually, they all agreed but topics such as railroads rights, mining rights, and loans were still fought over. So in the end, everyone agreed not interfere with free ports in China.
China
Chinese trading port
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_door_policy
Comments