Download - Boxer Rebellion REVISED
Open Door Policy and the
Boxer Rebellion in CHINA
Map of China
Open Door Policy
U.S. sees the Philippines and Guam as
stepping stones to China
U.S. wanted to convert Chinese into
Christians; Open up trade with China
1800’s the European powers divided China
in the Spheres of Influence, which
restricted the U.S. from trading with China
Hay’s sent notes saying that China was
open for free trade
Spheres of Influence
Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and Russia all claimed exclusive trading rights to certain parts of China.
They were dividing China into "spheres of influence." Some even claimed to own the territory within their spheres.
By acquiring the Philippines, the United States became an Asian power too. Now, with a strong base of operations just 400 miles from China, American businesses hoped to take advantage of China's vast resources. The foreign spheres of influence, however, threatened their ambitions.
Map of Spheres of Influence
Open Door Policy
Issued by McKinley’s Secretary of
State John Hay
Open trade throughout all of China
End spheres of influence
Open Door Policy would guarantee equal
trading rights for all and prevent one nation
from discriminating against another within
its sphere.
U.S. Secretary of State
John Hay
U.S. Secretary of State
Guided the diplomacy of the country
during the critical period of its entry as a
great power
Promoter of the Open Door Policy
Designed to counter the trade towards
divisive spheres of influence on the
Orient
The Boxer Rebellion
• The Open Door policy did not stop the Boxer Rebellion, however. ⇓⇓⇓⇓
• Boxer was the popular name for members of the secret group called the Society of Harmonious Fists, who practiced a system of exercise they thought would protect them from bullets.
The Boxer Rebellion (cont.)
• The Boxers were upset over foreign influence in China. ⇓⇓⇓⇓
• They especially disliked Christian missionaries and Chinese converts to Christianity. ⇓⇓⇓⇓
• They killed Christians and foreigners, including the German envoy to Beijing.
Boxer Rebels
Empress of China
• Empress Tzu-Hsi was Ruler of China who wanted to reassert authority of the Chinese Empire⇓⇓⇓⇓
• She supported Boxer Rebels. ⇓⇓⇓⇓
• Tsu Hsiwas defeated by European and Imperialist powers
Empress of China (contd)
While outside powers bickered over who
would control China, Tzu-Hsi issued an
imperial message to all the Chinese
provinces.
The present situation is becoming daily more difficult. The
various Powers cast upon us looks of tiger-like
voracity, hustling each other to be first to seize our
innermost territories. . . . Should the strong enemies
become aggressive and press us to consent to things
we can never accept, we have no alternative but to rely
upon the justice of our cause. . . . If our . . . hundreds of
millions of inhabitants . . . would prove their loyalty to
their emperor and love of their country, what is there to
fear from any invader? Let us not think about making
peace.
International Relief Force
When Boxers lay siege to
“foreign devils” outside of
the Forbidden city,
international troops are
sent.
Eight countries
participate, defeat Boxers,
and establish “Open
Door” Policy
Display of Power Continues
Roosevelt sends “The Great White
Fleet” to show American Naval Power
Great White Fleet
US becomes 2nd naval power in the
world. Great Britain is still #1.
Roosevelt sends 8 battleships
(painted white) around the world to
display American strength.
Great White Fleet