Question

What prompted Secretary of State John Hay to send the first set of Open-Door Notes?

Answer 1

John Hay sent the Open Door notes to Germany and other countries to propose that all Western countries should be given equal access to China. The US wanted to be able to trade with China on an equal basis with the European countries1.

Answer 2

Secretary of State John Hay sent the first set of Open-Door Notes in 1899 to preserve equal trading opportunities in China for all foreign powers.