The US Exerts Her Power
#52
The Open Door Policy
China was seen as a vast potential market for US goods
But, the major European powers had "Spheres of Influence"
- Areas of economic and political control
o Where these countries held monopolies
 Basically ruling China
Secretary of State, John Hay issued “Open Door” notes
- Tried to persuade the major European powers
o To allow US businesses to trade freely
 Within the Spheres of Influence
o To keep an “open door” to China
Chinese resentment of foreign influence grew
- A secret society, the Righteous and Harmonious Fists
o Grew among the peasants in the rural areas
The “Boxer” mission was to drive out the "foreign devils"
The Boxer Rebellion started in the spring of 1900
- They massacred 300 foreign missionaries
o And laid siege to the foreign compounds
August 1900
US Marines landed in China to put down the rebellion
- They marched to Beijing and liberated the foreigners
o And defeated the Boxers
Secretary Hay issued a formal Open Door policy
- The US would "safeguard"
o The policy of open trade in China
"Open Door" policy signaled greater US influence in Asia
- This represented a major shift in US foreign policy
1. Growth of U S economy depended on exports
2. US had a right to intervene to keep foreign markets open
3. Closing of a foreign market could threaten US survival
These principles became the dominant guidelines
- For US policy for trade with foreign countries
Russo-Japanese War
Japan had begun to pursue an imperialist foreign policy
- They began
o To study the great countries of the world
 Great Britain, Germany, the US
o Developed a new modern state
 A modern military – both Army and Navy
o Began an expansion toward Asia
By 1900, Japan’s expansionist policy was causing conflict
- With Russia over Korea and Manchuria
February 1904 – Japan’s navy destroyed Russia's Pacific fleet
- Invaded much of Manchuria
- Japan destroyed Russia's European fleet
o When it arrived with reinforcements
The Russo-Japanese War was threatening
- The US interests in China – Open Door Policy
When Russia sued for peace, Japan asked Roosevelt
- To mediate the Portsmouth Treaty
Roosevelt kept trade in China open to all nations
- And won the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize
The Great White Fleet
From Dec., 1907, to Feb., 1909
- Roosevelt ordered the US Navy battle fleet
o To circumnavigate the globe
Painted white and nicknamed the Great White Fleet
- Roosevelt wanted to demonstrate
o Growing American naval power