How far did the Open Door policy towards China benefit the USA?
History · Middle School · Tue Nov 03 2020
Answered on
The Open Door Policy towards China was an approach proposed by the United States in 1899 and 1900, designed to secure international agreement to the principle of equal trade and investment opportunities in China. It benefited the USA in several ways:
1. Trade Opportunities: The main benefit for the USA was economic. American businesses wanted to ensure that they could trade with China without encountering monopolistic competition from other powers like Britain, France, Germany, or Japan.
2. Preservation of Chinese Territorial Integrity: By advocating for an Open Door Policy, the US supported the Territorial integrity of China, which prevented other powers from carving up China into different colonies. This situation allowed the US to trade with the whole of China rather than just with parts that might have been controlled by other colonial powers.
3. Non-Entanglement: The policy allowed the United States to achieve its trade goals without having to become militarily or territorially involved in China, reducing the risks and costs associated with colonization.
4. International Relations: It put the U.S. in a positive light, as a supporter of fair and equal trade, and had the intention of appeasing potential tensions among the imperialistic powers of the time, thus contributing to international stability in the region.
5. Market Stability: Having an 'Open Door' would limit the likelihood of conflict between the colonial powers in China, which could disrupt American business interests there.
6. Continued Growth of US Influence: The Open Door policy advanced American diplomatic and economic influence and signaled America's increasing involvement in East Asian affairs.
However, the policy's effectiveness was limited. Other powers agreed to the Open Door in principle but didn’t always follow the spirit of the agreement, often prioritizing their interests. Moreover, China itself was not a party to the agreement and resented the implication it had no control over its own trade policies.