What was the main objective of the Open Door Policy?

The main objective of the Open Door Policy was to promote equal trading opportunities for all countries in China. This policy, articulated by U.S. Secretary of State John Hay in 1899, aimed to prevent any single nation from monopolizing trade with China and sought to ensure that the United States and other foreign powers could access Chinese markets equally. The Open Door Policy was significant because it reflected the United States' desire to maintain free trade and avoid the colonial fragmentation of China, allowing for fair competition among nations and protecting American economic interests in a region where it lacked territorial control. This approach was particularly important in the context of imperialism, as various European powers were vying for influence in China at the time.