What was the main goal of the U.S. during the Boxer Rebellion?

The primary goal of the United States during the Boxer Rebellion was indeed to protect American commercial interests and maintain an open-door policy in China. The Boxer Rebellion, which occurred from 1899 to 1901, was a nationalist uprising aimed at expelling foreign influence from China, particularly against foreign missionaries and business interests.

The U.S. had a vested interest in ensuring that China remained open to trade with various nations, including American businesses. The Open Door Policy, articulated by Secretary of State John Hay, sought to ensure equal trading rights for all nations and to prevent any single country from monopolizing trade in China. The rebellion threatened this policy, as it created a risk of colonial partitioning that could exclude the U.S. from significant economic opportunities.

By intervening in the Boxer Rebellion, the U.S. aimed to restore order and protect its economic interests. The American military contribution to the international alliance that quelled the rebellion was motivated by the desire to ensure that China remained an open market rather than fall entirely under the control of European powers. This strategic approach underlined how U.S. foreign policy was heavily influenced by commercial interests during this period of imperialism.