Политика США в отношении Китая в конце XIX – начале XX в.

Abstract

In the article the positions of the American authorities (Presidents’ administrations and Congress), commercial circles (financiers, industrialists, traders), the Christian missionaries and simple Americans on the Chinese question at the end of 19th – the beginning of the 20th century come to light and characterized, the reasons and conditions which influenced formation of the US foreign policy in a specified period are analyzed. Primarily, the author of the article focuses on the activities of American politicians and businessmen interested in entering the Chinese market. In addition, the reaction of the US ruling circles, dealers, representatives of the Navy, the missionaries and the public on the situation in the Qing Empire is taken up. Particular attention is paid to the adoption of the «open doors» Doctrine, which was formulated and enunciated by the Secretary of State John Hay, Washington’s efforts to implement the policy of «open doors» in practice and the struggle between the United States and other foreign states (Great Britain, Russia, Japan, Germany and France) for dominance in China. According to the author’s opinion, at the end of 19th – the beginning of the 20th century in a competitive environment from other states, Washington had playing on the implementation the policy of «open doors» in the hope of winning in competitors due to a stronger US economy. Washington carried out policies, which combined the traditional power elements characteristic of Western states in general and specific elements of «soft power», aimed at gaining the trust and friendship accommodation Chinese, trying to gain a foothold in China in terms of competition with other states. In this way, the White House tried to continue its expansion in China, using the complex conditions of development of the Qing Empire – for example, the Boxer Rebellion, and others factors. The conclusion is that at the end of 19th – the beginning of the 20th century formed an alliance of political, commercial and missionary circles in the administration, Congress and the American public, who advocated the strengthening of the US position in China. The author of the article comes to the conclusion that in the period under review the economic interests of the United States in China were still small, this country has become one of the important objects of Washington’s foreign policy strategy in Asian and Pacific region.