In the 19th century, the development of imperialist nations contributed to a framework of strong tensions between the capitalist powers. We observe that the breaking of British hegemony in the international economy introduced other nations that had similar interests to the country considered “the cradle of the Industrial Revolution”. France, Belgium, Japan, Germany and Italy are some of those nations that modernized their economies and soon went looking for exploration regions in Asia and Africa.
Fearing that their lands would be invaded by a competitor, the imperialist countries carried out an intense acquisition of arms. At the same time, we observed that the diplomacy of these nations worked to establish military alliances that would offer guarantees in a possible conflict of greater proportions. In a context marked by the strong nationalist spirit, we can see that the powerful European nations were treading a risky path to war.
Going against this trend, the United States offered the so-called “open-door policy” for the exploitation of imperialist territories. According to this precept, all the great capitalist nations would have equal rights when carrying out the colonization and administration of their territories. In this way, the climate of competition and mistrust would be reversed.
Apparently, American politicians believed that the liberal principles of free competition should be respected in this situation. However, if the US government preached “opening the doors” in the Afro-Asian case, it contradicted itself when the same issue was addressed to the American continent. Taking up the words of a speech by President James Monroe, the United States defended “America for Americans”. Over time, rather than a simple principle of autonomy, this doctrine reflected the very US imperialist action with Latin American countries.
Finally, the imperialist dispute inserted several nations into the conflicts that marked the First World War (1914 - 1918). For a long time, the US remained neutral, offering only financial and economic support to members of the Triple Entente. However, in 1917, they were forced to send troops to the Old World after Germany attacked American ships and threatened the country with the consolidation of an alliance with Mexico.
By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
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Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUSA, Rainer Gonçalves. "The open door policy"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historiag/a-politica-portas-abertas.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
