Open Door

Open Door
   A free trade principle promoted by the United States following Japan’s victory in the Sino-Japanese War and motivated by a concern to contain the establishment of exclusive spheres of influence by the Great Powers in China. In September 1899, Secretary of State John Hay directed a series of circular diplomatic notes toward Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Russia. The first note called on the powers to regard China as an open international market yet to pledge noninterference with commerce within existing spheres of influence. It also sought the retention of tariff duties collected by the Chinese government on goods at all treaty ports and the application of the duty without discrimination as to the country of origin. Lastly, it called for all nations to be treated equally in terms of harbor fees and railway duties.
   Most of the other powers announced their willingness to make a declaration of agreement - the British government noted its “pleasure,” the Russian its “happiness” - but compliance was another matter. Above all, the Open Door Notes testified to an increased American engagement in international affairs generally, along with a special interest, following the acquisition of the Philippines in the Spanish-American War, in the affairs of the Western Pacific. At the time the United States had no capacity to enforce Open Door principles, and the other powers, save Italy, had no intention of being bound by them. American interest in the region nonetheless asserted itself again five years later with Theodore Roosevelt ’s mediation of a peace in the Russo-Japanese War.
   See also <>.
   FURTHER READING:
    Brands, H. W. Bound to Empire: The United States and the Philippines . New York: Oxford University Press, 1992;
    May, Ernest. Imperial Democracy: The Emergence of America as a Great Power . Chicago: Imprint, 1991.
   CARL CAVANAGH HODGE

Encyclopedia of the Age of Imperialism, 1800–1914. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Open Door — may refer to: Open Door, an album from India.Arie and Idan Raichel due for release in the spring of 2011 Open Door (BBC TV), BBC TV series produced by their Community Programme Unit The Open Door Policy in foreign affairs Open door policy… …   Wikipedia

  • Open Door — Open Door …   Wikipedia Español

  • Open door — O pen door (a) Open or free admission to all; hospitable welcome; free opportunity. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] She of the open soul and open door, With room about her hearth for all mankind. Lowell. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] (b) In modern diplomacy,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • open door — open door, adj. 1. the policy of admitting people of all nationalities or ethnic groups to a country upon equal terms, as for immigration. 2. the policy or practice of trading with all nations on an equal basis. 3. admission or access;… …   Universalium

  • open door — n. 1. unrestricted admission or access 2. equal opportunity for all nations to trade with a given nation, without restrictive terms open door adj …   English World dictionary

  • open-door — | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective Etymology: open door 1. : done or carried on with or as if with the doors open : public 2. : of, relating to, or sustaining the open door in foreign relations trade was on an open door basis …   Useful english dictionary

  • open-door — also open door ADJ: ADJ n If a country or organization has an open door policy towards people or goods, it allows them to come there freely, without any restrictions. ...reformers who have advocated an open door economic policy. N SING Open door… …   English dictionary

  • open door — noun 1. the policy of granting equal trade opportunities to all countries • Syn: ↑open door policy • Hypernyms: ↑trade policy, ↑national trading policy 2. freedom of access he maintained an open door for all employees …   Useful english dictionary

  • open door — Synonyms and related words: Eisenhower Doctrine, Monroe Doctrine, Nixon Doctrine, Truman Doctrine, access, amiability, appeasement, balance of power, bonhomie, brinkmanship, coexistence, colonialism, compromise, containment, cordiality, detente,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • open door — noun Date: 1526 1. a recognized right of admittance ; freedom of access; also a policy providing such freedom 2. a policy giving opportunity for commercial relations with a country to all nations on equal terms • open door adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”