The Open Door Policy: U.S. Trade Expansion in China - History Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Help your students dive into one of the most significant moments in U.S. foreign policy with this engaging reading comprehension worksheet focusing on The Open Door Policy and U.S. trade expansion in China. This resource allows students to explore the complexities of U.S.-China relations, economic imperialism, and the impact of foreign powers on China's sovereignty at the turn of the 20th century.

In this worksheet, students will gain insight into:

• The motivations behind Secretary of State John Hay’s Open Door Policy, which aimed to ensure equal trade access for foreign nations while safeguarding U.S. economic interests in China.
• The Boxer Rebellion, a nationalist uprising that emerged in response to foreign exploitation and control, and how it shaped the aftermath of the Open Door Policy.
• The long-term consequences of U.S. involvement in China and how this policy set the stage for future global interactions.

What’s Included:

• Multiple-choice questions to check students' understanding of key events and concepts.
• Matching activities to reinforce important figures, terms, and events.
• Fill-in-the-blank exercises to solidify essential knowledge.
• Short-answer questions to encourage critical thinking and deeper analysis of U.S. foreign policy.
• Primary source analysis of John Hay's Open Door Notes (1899), challenging students to think critically about the U.S.’s role in international trade and China's response to foreign influence.

This resource is designed to challenge students with complex themes while developing their critical reading skills. It's a perfect tool for sparking class discussions, individual work, or even substitute plans.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the motivations and effects of the Open Door Policy in U.S.-China relations.
• Evaluate the implications of foreign powers on China's sovereignty during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Understand the consequences of the Open Door Policy for China, the U.S., and the broader region.
• Connect U.S. trade policies to the rise of anti-foreign sentiment and nationalist movements in China.

Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2: Determine the central ideas of a source and provide an accurate summary.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.9: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Courses This Resource Is Perfect For:

• U.S. History (High School)
• AP World History
• World History (Grades 9-12)
• Social Studies (Grades 9-12)

This worksheet offers deeper learning and is ideal for sparking classroom discussion or as a sub plan. Your students will explore U.S. foreign policy, trade, and the complexities of imperialism during a pivotal time in history.

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