Final answer:
The Open Door policy, proposed by U.S. Secretary of State John Hay, was intended to guarantee equal trade rights for all nations in China, benefiting the United States by providing access to the Chinese market for U.S. goods. Despite mixed reactions from other powers, the policy was asserted as the standard for trade relations in China and was instrumental in preventing the colonial division of the country.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the late 19th and early 20th century, China was under the pressure of foreign powers establishing spheres of influence within its borders. The United States, aiming to secure trade opportunities without resorting to imperialism, proposed the Open Door policy under Secretary of State John Hay. This policy sought to ensure that all countries would have equal trading rights in China, maintaining the country's territorial integrity and preventing the division of China into colonial possessions. The Open Door notes, crafted by Hay, emphasized the commitment of the U.S. to preserve free trade and the independence of the Chinese government by allowing no special tariffs or transportation controls that would give unfair advantages to any one nation over another.
In reality, the Open Door policy greatly favored American interests. It allowed American businesses, which were producing higher-quality goods more efficiently and at lower costs, the opportunity to dominate the Chinese market. Despite varied responses from the international community (including an outright rejection from Russia), Hay declared that the policy was accepted and expected it to govern trade relations in China. The policy helped to maintain China's sovereignty while benefiting U.S. commercial interests, as the American market aimed to expand globally.
The aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion, which sought to remove foreign influence from China, provided a moment for the powers to reassess their strategies. Although the Open Door notes were not initially backed by any ability to enforce compliance, the suppression of the rebellion by an international coalition including the U.S. served to spread Western trade and ideas in East Asia, further entrenching the Open Door policy as a cornerstone of international trade within China.