Which of the following is true about the Open Door notes?
a. European powers uniformly accepted and heeded them
b. They proposed open markets in China and Japan
c. They proposed open markets in China
d. They created spheres of influence in China
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is c. They proposed open markets in China.
Explanation:
The Open Door Notes were a series of diplomatic messages sent by U.S. Secretary of State John Hay in 1899 and 1900. These notes were directed primarily at the major European powers, as well as Japan, concerning their spheres of influence in China. The main aim of the Open Door Policy was to ensure that the United States had equal trading rights in China, avoiding the creation of exclusive trade zones controlled by European powers and Japan.
- European powers uniformly accepted and heeded them (Option a): This is not accurate. While the Open Door Notes were a diplomatic effort to ensure equal trade opportunities for all countries, the European powers did not uniformly accept them. Some of the European countries had already carved out spheres of influence in China and were reluctant to share control over trade or resources.
- They proposed open markets in China and Japan (Option b): This is incorrect. The Open Door Notes specifically focused on China, not Japan. At the time, Japan was emerging as a major power in East Asia, but the Open Door Policy did not seek to address Japan’s interests, which were separate from the focus on China.
- They proposed open markets in China (Option c): This is the correct answer. The Open Door Notes called for the protection of Chinese territorial integrity and the guarantee of equal trading rights for all nations within China. The goal was to prevent any single nation from monopolizing trade or economic influence in China, and to preserve an open market for U.S. businesses.
- They created spheres of influence in China (Option d): This is incorrect. The purpose of the Open Door Policy was to prevent the further establishment of exclusive spheres of influence by European powers and Japan in China, not to create them.
The Open Door Policy had mixed success, but it established a diplomatic framework for the United States to advocate for open markets and equal opportunities in China during a period when Western powers and Japan were competing for economic dominance in the region.