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Derived from two notes issued by the U.S. State Department. Devised by John Haye, the policy stated that no nation claiming a sphere of influence in China should interfere with the trade of other nations - thus ensuring American traders equal access. The policy checked the scramble for Chinese trade and terrritory - largely because of generous payments to the countries concerned, including America, from the Chinese treasury.
It was a informal agreement only, in no way binding.
The Japanese successes in the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) convinced Europe not of Japan's strength, but rather of China's weakness.
The Scramble for Concessions (1897), in which European powers used every possible incident to gain greater concessions from China.
The British controlled 80% of the China trade, but they were being threatened by protectionist policies being set in place by Germany, Russia, and Japan to protect their trade interests in their Chinese concessions.
The US was preoccupied with Cuba and the Spanish-American War. But byy September of 1899, as the war was winding down, the US took action and announced the Open Door Policy to the world.
The British Proposal (1898-1899)
Charles Beresford.
Rockhill - Hippisley Dialogue
William Rockhill, an American expert on China was hired by John Hay as an advisor. He was a good friend of Hippisley. Together they persuaded the President that "open door" would serve US interests.
Secretary John Hay's Note
A diplomatic note to six great powers. It asked those powers to adhere to the principle of equal commercial opportunity within their spheres of influence.
The note received a lukeworm acceptance dependent upon the unqualified acceptance of the note by the other great powers. Russia broke the chain by giving an evasive refusal, releasing the other five great powers.
Hay's Declaration
Hay bluffed. He announced to the public that the world powers had committed themselves, and that their commitment was unilateral but "final and definitive."
He gave the people of the US the impression of widespread worldwide acceptance and a sweeping US diplomatic victory. This on the end of the victory against Spain and acquisition of new territories.
The "Boxer" Uprising in China (June 1900)
A cult group who beleived in invulnerability rituals that would make them impervious to physical harm. Spread from the Shandong Peninsula. Extremely anti-german.
They were mostly farmers; some had gotten involved in martial arts (the temples were training centers). They marched on Beijing and surrounded the foreign compound.
The first attack was against the Germans. Then other European compounds. The west responded as a group, sending 20,000 westerners marching on Beijing. Killing indiscriminately, since Boxers could not be distinguished from others. A slaughter was the result, with 50 civilians dying for every Boxer killed. The uprising was easily suppressed.
The Chinese government was forced to pay Billions in indemnity to the eight powers involved, many times the size of China's annual budget.
The US used this indemnity to import and educate young Chinese. It was called the "Boxer Scholarship." These US-educated youths would lead the May movement and become the foundation of the self-determination movement of China.
Hay's Worry and Note
It looked like Europeans were going to stay in China, further dividing it.
Hay sent a unilateral declaration stating the US intent to preserve
America did not have enough stake in China to Justify its involvement. The China Trade never actually exceeded 2% of the US trade. It was not important enough to risk American lives over.
America did not have the power to enforce the policy in China. This note faced the US off against Russia, which had a vast military presence in China. The US did not have the force to remove Russia, had Russia decided to resist.
Other state's saw the American annexation of the Philippines as the beginning of America's move on China. The open door policy was often seen as a tactic for holding China open until the U.S. could get its fingers in.
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