Hinging the open door in china
China
After its defeat by Japan in 1894-1895, China was carved into "spheres of influence" by the European powers, who took control of much of China's economic status and political status. Americans were worried, as churches fretted over their missionary strongholds and businesses feared that they would be unable to export their products to China with the European powers in control. Secretary of State John Hay finally proposed the Open Door Note, which urged the European powers to maintain a fair competition so that all nations could participate. The "Open Door Policy" caused some European nations to be squeamish and reluctant, except Italy who accepted unconditionally because it had had no sphere of influence in China previously. Russia did not accept the Open Door Policy, but Hay's policy helped to "save" China from being carved up. In reality, America did not stop China from becoming dominated by other countries; America wanted to secure a foothold in the Chinese economy as well.