John Hay Open Door Policy

The Spanish-American War began as a humanitarian effort to free Cuba from Spain’s colonial grasp and ended with the United States itself acquiring territory overseas and fighting a dirty guerrilla war with Filipino nationalists who, like the Cubans, sought independence. Behind the contradiction stood the twin pillars of American foreign policy: The Monroe Doctrine made Spain’s presence in Cuba unacceptable, and U.S. determination to keep open the door to Asia made the Philippines attractive as a stepping-stone to China.

In the historical reading When America First Met China by Eric Jay Dolin, one could say that the context of this historical reading goes into great depth when explaining the trade networks between China and the rest of the continent, particularly in the Americas right after the American Revolution ended in 1783, in comparison to many other sources that did not go into great depth.

The author of document 4 is Ralph Fitch, who is a British merchant that has written an account of his travels to the East Indies. It is because of these two facts- the first being that he is a merchant and the logistics of trade should not be new to him and the second being that he is writing from firsthand experience, making him a primary witness to this particular trading relationship- makes him a credible source by all accounts. Secondly, his accounts are consistent with other historical facts, like the lust that China has for silver, or the fact that other nations brought luxury items back from China. Furthermore, because of China’s lust for silver, they kept their silver and hardly continued its flow to other countries, which of course was very valuable. This relationship seems to be characterized as being non-mutual in a way, for the European and Spanish countries did not receive items that were of equal value to the silver, so in reality, it was a loss for them, whereas the Chinese government were able to make a profit. Document 7 complements Document 4 and describes the foolish mistake the Chinese would make in keeping their ban on foreign trade because other nations (such as European and Spanish countries) have large resource deposits in silver that they are willing to spend for items that the Chinese produces that lack any

As a reaction, William Woodville Rockhill detailed the Open Door Policy in intend to protecting American business chances and different hobbies in China. In September 6, 1899, U.s. Secretary of State John Hay sent notes to the significant forces, such as France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Japan, and Russia, requesting that them announce formally that they might maintain Chinese regional and managerial trustworthiness and might not meddle with the free utilization of the bargain ports inside their authoritative reaches in China. The Open Door Policy expressed that all countries, including the United States, could revel in equivalent access to the Chinese market.

Until the end of the nineteenth century, American foreign policy essentially followed the guidelines laid down by George Washington, in his Farewell Address to the American people: “The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is—in extending our commercial relations—to have with them as little political connection as possible.” By avoiding

China has 5000 years of history which experienced wars, collapses, failures and successes. The Opium War in the year 1839 and 1856 marked the changing point of China’s trade policy with foreigners, especially with British in opium and tea. China changed from getting tributes to being forced to sign the Nanjing Treaty and Tianjing Treaty with British and French. Due to China’s over confidence and unwelcome attitude toward foreigners and opium, it caused the British to declare the Opium War to China which made Chinese suffer for many years, but at the same time it also forced China to open its doors to the foreigners.

In the beginning of the 19th century the British began to trade opium, an illegal drug, for tea with China which caused, “...the first Opium War...which resulted in a Chinese defeat and the expansion of British trading privileges...”This discrepancy in the trading relationship between the Chinese and the British caused China’s to forfeit their trading territory to the British. The outcome of the Opium War was a setback for the Chinese. Places where the Chinese previously conducted business was no longer available. Economical wars were not uncommon: “During the mercantilist period…a military...would deter attacks by other countries and aid its own territorial expansion.” The focus of many governments became to protect their economy by constantly gaining more territory to increase business. The change of China’s trade routes could have negatively affected the economy. If the Chinese economy were to weaken it could affect the economies of other countries that China interacted with. The Columbian Exchange, a network of trade routes throughout the world, caused the environment to change as, “ ...Old World crops such as wheat, barley, rice, and turnips...raveled west across the Atlantic, and New World crops...traveled east to Europe.” The exchanging of crops between the New World and the Old World, two different geographical areas,

During this time, the British adopted a new economic policy known as mercantilism which held that a country’s power depended mainly on its wealth. The desire for new sources of wealth inspired British exploration of the East. Having established North America as their colony, the British traveled East. In 1793, the British sought to trade with China which was largely self-sufficient due to mining and manufacturing resources as well as its healthy agricultural economy which started in the 11th century. Around this time, the Chinese dynasty cycle was in decline and its official trade policy reflected isolation. The British imposed economic imperialism and forced China to open to foreign trade and influence. The British East India Company which grew opium in India, a British colony, shipped it to China. While the Chinese developed addictions to the drug, the British economy grew as they shipped fine silk, high quality cotton and exquisite porcelain from China to be sold for a huge profit in North America. Subjected to economic imperialism, China had to sign treaties that favoured the west. In 1844, China signed a treaty that gave North America extraterritorial rights where they could trade freely at many

Following the Sino-Japanese war from 1894 through 1895, the Chinese government was severely weakened. This meant that China was unable to protect itself from European countries and Japan staking claim throughout the country because although fragile post war, China was a heavily populated nation and offered a desirable market that the rest of the world wanted. During the late 1800’s many countries were in a rush to expand their colonies and claim territories all over the world. The Korean peninsula was controlled by Japan. The British, Dutch, Belgians, and French had a heavy presence in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The United States acquired possessions in Latin America and the Asian Pacific. There was a worldwide race to gain control of China. After taking possession of the Philippines, America, under President McKinley, became increasingly concerned that the heavy presence of other nations and the subsequent dividing up of China would severely affect American interests by restricting or preventing access to the Chinese market.

The Monroe Doctrine secured three noteworthy thoughts: "that European nations can't colonize in North America or other sovereign countries, for example, Mexico, Latin America, and others; that the United States might be included in European undertakings if America's rights are disturbed; and that the United States will consider any endeavor at colonization a risk to its national security.” The Doctrine demonstrated whatever is left of the world that they were not a power to be figured with, and permit the objective of "Manifest Destiny "to grow. 10 The Doctrine then prompted The Open Door Policy. The new Policy now opened up entryways for global exchange with China that the United States

The Spanish-American War in 1898 was a point where American’s demonstrated their power and true colors. America wanted to free the Cubans from Spain, but it was not purely out of the interest of the Cubans. America was in it for the Philippines. Spain had control of the Philippines, and the Philippines were located in close proximity to China. The issue here was that the Philippines was not interested in having the U.S. around and rebelled against the American forces (47) .The U.S. wanted to capitalize on the economic struggles in China and the Philippines was

As a result of the Boxer Rebellion, the United States reiterated the Open Door Policy in an attempt to preserve Chinese entity and trading rights. China also had to continue paying indemnities because of the previous treaties. Feelings of contention lingered.

This was a major example of imperialism as these treaties favored foreign trade but China didn’t gain any concession from the foreigners. This in turn weakening the economic power of china and the governments control over the country weakened.

After all, Hawaii transformed into America which had greatly sealed power that recovered their crisis. From their prior knowledge in proceeding trade commerce with foreign, China is one the best nations that had rich natural resources and they want fulfill their satisfactions from U.S industries. An expansionist, Reverend Josiah Strong addressed people to recognize that, ” We all know that China is one of the greatest markets of the world, with a population of 400,000,000 that must be fed and clothed.” (Document 15). Great productions from both countries are indispensable in trading from their needs. The United States must step over their boundaries in the Philippines which is their neighbor in gaining access to their country. Serving the Philippines is the importance of supporting their desires to reach their destination. American had endure hardships by fighting for Cuba’s independence over Spain, when their victories came into reality Spain had given Guam, the Philippines Islands, and Puerto Rico to the America’s hands. Americans need to settle the Philippines in supporting them to facilitating China’s market as a “stepping stone” that will provide coal stations, naval bases, cable relay stations, and others that would keep the China’s door open (Israel). The Open Door Policy allowed the United States to have access trade and developments which they will gain prosperity. Goods that are being exports and imports

For example, William Appleman Williams in his 1962 book, ‘The Tragedy of American Diplomacy’, argued that the U.S. considered the “open door” policy as essential to the continuous prosperity of the United States. He claimed that no post-war agreement with the