Question

Secretary of State John Hay called for an Open Door Policy toward China in 1899 primarily because ________.

• A. Japan threatened to close its ports to the West
• B. Britain and France were pulling out of Asia
• C. The United States feared it would be shut out of trade and investment in China
• D. Russia and France were about to go to war over China
• E. Russia blocked sea access to Manchuria

Answer 1

The correct option is C The United States feared it would be shut out of trade and investment in China

Secretary of State John Hay first articulated the concept of the Open Door in China in a series of notes in 1899–1900. These Open Door Notes aimed to secure international agreement to the U.S. policy of promoting equal opportunity for international trade and commerce in China, and respect for China’s administrative and territorial integrity. It was generally feared that the breakup of China into economic segments dominated by various great powers would lead to complete subjection and the division of the country into colonies.