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Ryan(s) =OPEN DOOR POLICY=


 * The Open Door Policy** was proposal made in 1899 by US Secretary of State [|John Hay] asking that those European nations with leaseholds or spheres of influence in China respect certain Chinese rights, and the ideal of fair competition.[[image:http://www.heritage.nf.ca/law/images/johnhay_550.jpg width="199" height="305" align="right" link="http://www.heritage.nf.ca/law/johnhay.html"]]

The **Open Door Policy** is a concept in foreign affairs stating that, in principle, all nations should have equal commercial and industrial trade rights in China. As a theory, the Open Door Policy originates with British commercial practice, as was reflected in treaties concluded with Qing Dynasty China after the First Opium War (1839-1842). Although the Open Door is generally associated with China, it was recognized at the Berlin Conference of 1885, which declared that no power could levy preferential duties in the Congo basin.

As a specific policy with regard to China, it was first advanced by the United States in the Open Door Notes of September-November 1899. In 1898, the United States had become an East Asian power through the acquisition of the Philippines, and when the partition of China by the European powers and Japan seemed imminent, the United States felt its commercial interests in China were being threatened. U.S. Secretary of State John Hay questioned the major powers (France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, and Russia), asking them to declare formally that they would uphold Chinese territorial and administrative integrity and would not interfere with the free use of the treaty ports within their spheres of influence in China. (For more detailed information, see More Information)

In reply, each nation evaded Hay's request, taking the position that it could not commit itself until the other nations had done so. During this period there was a strong economic tension. However, by July 1900, Hay announced that each of the powers had granted consent in principle. Although treaties made after 1900 refer to the Open Door Policy, competition among the various powers for special concessions within China for railroad rights, mining rights, loans, foreign trade ports, and so forth, continued unabated.

Following its defeat by Japan in 1894-1895, many imperialistic European powers such as Russia and Germany moved in. They began to tear away valuable leasholds and economic spheres of influence from the Manchu government. A growing group of Americans viewed China with alarm. Churches worried about their missionary strongholds; manufacturers and exporters feared that Chinese markets would be monopolized by Europeans. The American republic demanded the government to do something. Secretary of States John Hay finally decided upon a dramatic move. In the summer of 1899, Hay dispatched to all the great powers a communication soon known as the Open Door Note. He urged them to announce that their leaseholds or spheres of influence they would respect certain Chinese rights and the ideal of fair competition.

The phrase Open Door quickly caught the public's attention and gained wide acceptance. Hay's proposal caused much squirming in the leading capitals of the world. Italy alone accepted the Open Door unconditionally; it was the only major power that had no leasehold or sphere of influence in China. Britain, Germany, France, and Japan all accepted, but subject to the condition that the others acquiesce unconditionally. Russia politely declined the Open Door policy with co vetous designs on China's Manchuria. However, John Hay artfully interpreted the Russian refusal as an acceptance and proclaimed that the Open Door was in effect.

However, Chinese did not care to be used as a doormat by the Europeans. (See Plans Failure) In response the Open Door Policy, the Chinese people responded with the Boxer Rebellion.

The Open Door Policy played an important role in America's history of imperialism.

__Works Consulted__
 * More References**

American Imperialism in China Modern Imperialism
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