America Becomes a World Power

 America increases its power in the Pacific  1900 – Hawaiian Islands made an American territory  First example of American imperialism  Hawaiians become American citizens  Increased trading between the U.S., Hawaii, and the Phillippines (far east)  America begins to focus on China  European countries and Japan set up their own governments and courts in China  American merchants fear trade will fall under the control of a few countries

 In 1899 John Hay (Secretary of State) offers a new trading policy for China  Open Door Policy  He convinces all foreign countries trading in China to allow free and open trade for all countries

 Chinese were angry that parts of their country had been given to foreigners  They formed political clubs and held secret meetings  Clubs became known as the “Boxers” due to the physical exercises they did  Boxers rebelled in the spring of 1900  Europeans and Japanese sent troops to stop the uprisings  The U.S. sent troops to protect its interests

 The Boxer revolt threatened to destroy the Open Door Policy  The rebellion didn’t last long  European countries quickly gained back control  Countries imposed fines on China for damage done during the rebellion to their property and goods