Do Now
• What are the Characteristics of a world power?
• Which countries today would you consider to be world powers and why?
Open Door Policy
•China was in chaos both politically and economically at the end of the 19th century
•At this time China was not viewed as a sovereign nation
•The world powers of the time, Britain, France, Japan, Prussia, and the United States plotted how to gain the most influence in China
• Fall 1898, President McKinley stated his desire for all trading nations to have access to Chinese markets
• This was known as the Open Door Policy
• The next year, Secretary of State John Hay sent diplomatic notes to the other world powers to raise support for the policy
Open Door PolicyVideo Link
• The Open Door
• Hay’s Open Door proposal called for:
a) Equal trading rights to all nations in all parts of China
b) The recognition of Chinese territorial integrity
For more information on Hay’s Open Door Policy click HERE
• No nations formally agreed with Hay’s proposal
• Hays announced that an agreement had been reached anyway
• Only Russia and Japan voiced displeasure
• It appeared as if the United States had advanced a reform viewpoint
• In reality, the US had no sphere of influence in China
• If other nations divided China amongst themselves the US would be unlikely to maintain any trade in China
• Hays was attempting to protect the chance for American businessmen and investors to profit in China
For More InformationVisit These Sites:
• US Department of State: Office of the Historian
• Academic America
• Encyclopedia of New American Nation
• PBS Events in the West
Top Related