Final answer:
The Open Door Policy proposed by John Hay aimed to prevent the division of China into exclusive zones controlled by other powers, ensuring equal trade access for the United States without engaging in territorial control.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Hay proposed the Open Door Policy as a strategic approach to ensure that the United States had equal and open access to China's lucrative market.
At the time, other powerful nations had established spheres of influence within China, which threatened to limit U.S. trade opportunities and potentially lock American goods out of important Chinese markets.
By advocating for the Open Door Policy, Hay aimed to dismantle these exclusive zones and promote a level playing field for international commerce in China, thus preventing the colonization and division of China which would disadvantage the United States.
Furthermore, his policy did not involve America in the complexities of territorial control, adhering to anti-imperialist sentiment and avoiding the entanglements associated with colonial administration.