Discussion Questions
October 21, 2008

1. What was the rationale behind the 'open door' policy?  What do you think the primary motivation was in enforcing it?
2. What is the evaluation of China from the various sources?  What differences of opinion existed and what might account for those differences?
3. What is Foster's argument and how does he substantiate his claim?
4. Was the U.S. an imperial power in 1900?  On what basis could you argue yes?  On what basis could you argue no?
5. How a country looks at others tells us much about how a country looks at itself.  How would this apply in the case of imperialism and America?
6. What is Twain's point and what do you think the reaction of the American public would have been?

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