Open Door Policy
Topic: Paths to Modernisation: Japan, China, Korea · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Open Door Policy was a US policy towards China. It was set out in diplomatic notes by Secretary of State John Hay in 1899–1900. The notes asked the foreign powers to give every nation equal trading rights in China. The 1900 note also asked them to respect China's territorial integrity, meaning not to break China up into colonies. The USA wanted to protect its trade at a time when European powers and Japan were carving out spheres of influence, areas where one power had special rights.
Example
In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, John Hay sent a second note. It asked the powers to keep China whole rather than divide it among themselves.
Don't confuse with
- Deng Xiaoping's reforms (from 1978): These "opening up" reforms were China's own decision to build a socialist market economy. The Open Door Policy was a demand made by foreign powers.
Related concepts
- Qing dynasty
- Triangular trade
- Opium Wars
- Treaty of Nanking 1842
- Semi-colony
- Taiping Rebellion
- Self-Strengthening Movement
- Hundred Days' Reform 1898
- Kang Youwei
- Liang Qichao