USA and East Asia
Objectives
Effects of the Open Door Policy
In 1900, the Boxer rebellion occurred. A Chinese secret organization called the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists led an uprising in China against the Japanese influence there. Called the boxers, because of their strength, killed innocent Chinese christians and destroyed foreign property. The boxers too over China's capital until American forces stepped in to stop them. By the terms of the Boxer Protocol, China agreed to pay for the repairs. In response, Secretary of State, John Hay, first came up with the idea of the open door in China. This policy aimed to preserve the equal opportunity for international trade and commerce in China. Alfred E. Hippisley and William W. Rockhill, china experts, believed that their countries, Britain and America, would both benefit if Europe agreed to keep an open door of trade and commerce in China. Hay agreed and sent the first of the Open Door Notes on September 6, 1899, to the other great powers that had an interest in China. Hay proposed a free, open market, and equal trading opportunity in China for all countries interested. Hay also made it a point that the USA did not want to conquer China, but to just trade there. In an act of goodwill, the US used indemnity money it received from China to provide a study abroad to America for Chinese students. A long term effect of this policy was that it became the official U.S. policy towards the Far East in the first half of the 20th century. This policy also put all the imperial countries on an equal playing field: "The impact of such an Open Door Policy would be to put all of the imperial nations on an equal footing and minimize the power of those nations with existing spheres of influence" (United States History). This policy also awakened China to the rest of the world, and if this had no happened they would be behind on a lot of other developments today.
Video on the Boxer rebellion
Dealing with the Philippines
The Filipino nationalist leader, Emilio Auguinaldo, thought that the US was good in helping them to gain independence. Despite this, America decided to keep the Philippines as their own possession. Emilio did not agree with this and started a rebellion to overthrow the US rule. Because the Filipinos were outnumbered by guns and weapons, they decided to use a previous war tactic called guerrilla warfare. This was a hit and run tactic. Just like Spain did to Cuba, the US put the Filipinos in concentration camps to stop the rebellion. Eventually, the US captured Emilio, but the fighting did not cease there. This was a first step towards the end of the rebellion. Taft, future president of USA, became the governor in the Philippines, and wanted to help the people to recover after the rebellion. In 1916, Congress passed the Jones Act, which immediately gave the Philippines their independence.
Tensions Rise Between America and Japan
Just like the USA, Japan wanted to expand its influence on China. Japan did not like the presence of Russia in China, so the Japanese took action without declaration of war and attacked Russia. Japan attacked and bottled up Russia's pacific fleet stationed at Port Arthur. In 1905, Japanese and Russian representatives met to discuss an end to the Russo-Japanese War. President Roosevelt stepped in and convinced each side to sign a treaty. Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize. This was significant because it showed America's growing role in world affairs.
Despite Roosevelt's achievement, America was entered a trouble zone with Japan. The root to this issue occurred on the West Coast of the USA. Public schools in San Francisco banned Japanese, Korean, and Chinese children from attending public schools with white children. Japan immediately was angered by this and was going to retaliate. Roosevelt stepped in and negotiated with Japan a Gentlemen's Agreement. Under this agreement the US would ban that rule in the public schools and Japan had to limit their emigration to America. Even though Japan was not planning on firing at the US, Roosevelt still wanted to be prepared for any retaliation. He got Congress to pass the formation of new navy ships called the Great White Fleet. In 1907, Roosevelt sent the fleet to tour around the world. This was significant because it showed America's increased military power to the world.
The significance of these topics translate to today, because now America and China still trade, all starting with the open door policy.
- Effects of the Open Door Policy
- Dealing with the Philippines
- Tensions Rise Between America and Japan
Effects of the Open Door Policy
In 1900, the Boxer rebellion occurred. A Chinese secret organization called the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists led an uprising in China against the Japanese influence there. Called the boxers, because of their strength, killed innocent Chinese christians and destroyed foreign property. The boxers too over China's capital until American forces stepped in to stop them. By the terms of the Boxer Protocol, China agreed to pay for the repairs. In response, Secretary of State, John Hay, first came up with the idea of the open door in China. This policy aimed to preserve the equal opportunity for international trade and commerce in China. Alfred E. Hippisley and William W. Rockhill, china experts, believed that their countries, Britain and America, would both benefit if Europe agreed to keep an open door of trade and commerce in China. Hay agreed and sent the first of the Open Door Notes on September 6, 1899, to the other great powers that had an interest in China. Hay proposed a free, open market, and equal trading opportunity in China for all countries interested. Hay also made it a point that the USA did not want to conquer China, but to just trade there. In an act of goodwill, the US used indemnity money it received from China to provide a study abroad to America for Chinese students. A long term effect of this policy was that it became the official U.S. policy towards the Far East in the first half of the 20th century. This policy also put all the imperial countries on an equal playing field: "The impact of such an Open Door Policy would be to put all of the imperial nations on an equal footing and minimize the power of those nations with existing spheres of influence" (United States History). This policy also awakened China to the rest of the world, and if this had no happened they would be behind on a lot of other developments today.
Video on the Boxer rebellion
Dealing with the Philippines
The Filipino nationalist leader, Emilio Auguinaldo, thought that the US was good in helping them to gain independence. Despite this, America decided to keep the Philippines as their own possession. Emilio did not agree with this and started a rebellion to overthrow the US rule. Because the Filipinos were outnumbered by guns and weapons, they decided to use a previous war tactic called guerrilla warfare. This was a hit and run tactic. Just like Spain did to Cuba, the US put the Filipinos in concentration camps to stop the rebellion. Eventually, the US captured Emilio, but the fighting did not cease there. This was a first step towards the end of the rebellion. Taft, future president of USA, became the governor in the Philippines, and wanted to help the people to recover after the rebellion. In 1916, Congress passed the Jones Act, which immediately gave the Philippines their independence.
Tensions Rise Between America and Japan
Just like the USA, Japan wanted to expand its influence on China. Japan did not like the presence of Russia in China, so the Japanese took action without declaration of war and attacked Russia. Japan attacked and bottled up Russia's pacific fleet stationed at Port Arthur. In 1905, Japanese and Russian representatives met to discuss an end to the Russo-Japanese War. President Roosevelt stepped in and convinced each side to sign a treaty. Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize. This was significant because it showed America's growing role in world affairs.
Despite Roosevelt's achievement, America was entered a trouble zone with Japan. The root to this issue occurred on the West Coast of the USA. Public schools in San Francisco banned Japanese, Korean, and Chinese children from attending public schools with white children. Japan immediately was angered by this and was going to retaliate. Roosevelt stepped in and negotiated with Japan a Gentlemen's Agreement. Under this agreement the US would ban that rule in the public schools and Japan had to limit their emigration to America. Even though Japan was not planning on firing at the US, Roosevelt still wanted to be prepared for any retaliation. He got Congress to pass the formation of new navy ships called the Great White Fleet. In 1907, Roosevelt sent the fleet to tour around the world. This was significant because it showed America's increased military power to the world.
The significance of these topics translate to today, because now America and China still trade, all starting with the open door policy.