Open Door Policy and the

Boxer Rebellion in CHINA

Map of China

Open Door Policy

U.S. sees the Philippines and Guam as

stepping stones to China

U.S. wanted to convert Chinese into

Christians; Open up trade with China

1800’s the European powers divided China

in the Spheres of Influence, which

restricted the U.S. from trading with China

Hay’s sent notes saying that China was

open for free trade

Spheres of Influence

Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and Russia all claimed exclusive trading rights to certain parts of China.

They were dividing China into "spheres of influence." Some even claimed to own the territory within their spheres.

By acquiring the Philippines, the United States became an Asian power too. Now, with a strong base of operations just 400 miles from China, American businesses hoped to take advantage of China's vast resources. The foreign spheres of influence, however, threatened their ambitions.

Map of Spheres of Influence

Open Door Policy

Issued by McKinley’s Secretary of

State John Hay

Open trade throughout all of China

End spheres of influence

Open Door Policy would guarantee equal

trading rights for all and prevent one nation

from discriminating against another within

its sphere.

U.S. Secretary of State

John Hay

U.S. Secretary of State

Guided the diplomacy of the country

during the critical period of its entry as a

great power

Promoter of the Open Door Policy

Designed to counter the trade towards

divisive spheres of influence on the

Orient

The Boxer Rebellion

• The Open Door policy did not stop the Boxer Rebellion, however. ⇓⇓⇓⇓

• Boxer was the popular name for members of the secret group called the Society of Harmonious Fists, who practiced a system of exercise they thought would protect them from bullets.

The Boxer Rebellion (cont.)

• The Boxers were upset over foreign influence in China. ⇓⇓⇓⇓

• They especially disliked Christian missionaries and Chinese converts to Christianity. ⇓⇓⇓⇓

• They killed Christians and foreigners, including the German envoy to Beijing.

Boxer Rebels

Empress of China

• Empress Tzu-Hsi was Ruler of China who wanted to reassert authority of the Chinese Empire⇓⇓⇓⇓

• She supported Boxer Rebels. ⇓⇓⇓⇓

• Tsu Hsiwas defeated by European and Imperialist powers

Empress of China (contd)

While outside powers bickered over who

would control China, Tzu-Hsi issued an

imperial message to all the Chinese

provinces.

The present situation is becoming daily more difficult. The

various Powers cast upon us looks of tiger-like

voracity, hustling each other to be first to seize our

innermost territories. . . . Should the strong enemies

become aggressive and press us to consent to things

we can never accept, we have no alternative but to rely

upon the justice of our cause. . . . If our . . . hundreds of

millions of inhabitants . . . would prove their loyalty to

their emperor and love of their country, what is there to

fear from any invader? Let us not think about making

peace.

International Relief Force

When Boxers lay siege to

“foreign devils” outside of

the Forbidden city,

international troops are

sent.

Eight countries

participate, defeat Boxers,

and establish “Open

Door” Policy

Display of Power Continues

Roosevelt sends “The Great White

Fleet” to show American Naval Power

Great White Fleet

US becomes 2nd naval power in the

world. Great Britain is still #1.

Roosevelt sends 8 battleships

(painted white) around the world to

display American strength.

Great White Fleet