Two Notes and a Rebellion: The Open Door Policy
A Background
Prior to the 1800s, China had experienced centuries of flourishment. The economy of the nation was unparalleled- something both the government and the people knew well. However, China would begin to experience both internal and external conflicts that would damage this superiority.
One conflict would be due to the introduction of Opium. Opium would not only introduce the first product that the Chinese would see as valuable for trading, but the Opium Wars with Britain and other military defeats would push the nation into many unequal treaties regarding trade. Internally, China would also experience a population boom. This increase, coupled with natural disasters and a lacking state government, would set the stage for rebellions and even the collapse of the Qing dynasty in 1912.
China’s weakness in the late 1800s would be seen as a time of opportunity for other world powers of the era. Many of the unequal treaties signed would allow nations like England, Germany, France, Russia, and Japan, to gain “spheres of influence.” This carving up of China would have mainly economic effects- with these nations stating they had certain exclusivities in trade and others plainly claimed the territory. The United States during this time was preoccupied with the Spanish-American War. However, after the Treaty of Paris was signed, the US realized the damage that had been occurring in China and quickly moved to protect the sovereignty of the nation and America’s personal economic ventures.
Hay and the Open Door
“I have sent under this date to... the Governments of Great Britain, Germany, and Russia make formal declaration of an “open-door” policy in the territories held by them in China.”
After the Spanish-American War, Hay’s main responsibilities would revolve around China. During this time of unrest, Hay was put in a difficult situation. With other powers attempting to carve China up for their own personal game, the United States was far behind in this economic free-for-all. Rather than joining these nations in an attempt to gain a piece of China, Hay took a more diplomatic approach.
Following the influence of Chinese experts from both the US and Britain, Hay sent the first Open Door Note in September 1899.
These first notes were sent to ambassadors of each nation and similar notes were later sent to other powers in China including Japan, France, and Italy. The first note laid out the groundwork for what would be known as the Open Door Policy: open and equal trade that would not only help the US economy but would also stop fighting among these nations within China. Hay also proposed that there be a universal tariff that would be collected by China.
The feedback from the countries Hay contacted was somewhat neutral. They did not say no to the policy outright but also did not say yes. However, Hay stated that all powers agreed to this policy and that it was “final and definitive.”
The push Hay would need to solidify this note as policy would be found not by his own actions, but by what was happening within China. The Boxer Rebellion is one of the most infamous events of this era. This rebellion was in retaliation to foreign interference within China; the so-called “boxers” attacked foreign nationals within Beijing including embassy staff. This rebellion would put the Open Door in danger due to foreign powers exerting their authority and gaining more influence within China to protect their citizens.
Hay used this opportunity to send the second Open Door Note- which placed greater emphasis on preserving the integrity of China as a nation. This second note would not only solidify America’s foreign policy stance within China, but created a legacy for Hay as this policy continued to play a role in administrations beyond McKinley’s.