Were the Chinese a willing partner in the Open Door Policy?

Answer 1

How do I say this without my answer getting the adverse attention of the thought police? China was being bullied, the illustration of a gang rape would not be too extreme. The Americans, with secretary of state Hay's "doctrine" of an Open Door of commerce was essentially telling the belligerents not to beat her when having their way with her. The open door policy was essentially saying that China could choose her suitors equally. China did want SOME of what the outside world had to offer--trains and telegraph were great inventions. There were some horrific famines (Pearl Buck's story, The Good Earth, was a popular illustration). Still, things had gone on as they had for centuries--the difference between the subjugation of China and the Americas was that while American Indians were initially numerous, then massively decimated, the Chinese were simply too numerous for foreign powers to completely control. The savagery of Japan during WWII was hoping to settle once and for all the old scores, but in the late 19th century China was simply too weak and diffuse to defend herself. Was China willing in the Open Door policy? Sort of. It became a slightly recuperative pause in their dealings with foreigners that asked for an inch but took a mile. Just as the enormity of Russia saved that country from invaders like Sweden, France, and Germany, the enormity of China saved it from Japan, England, Russia, Germany, and even Italy (Italy negotiated one of those "me too" concessions, but took a look at what they got and essentially said, "For that! Why bother?").