John Hay

John Hay was an influential American statesman and diplomat in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He served as Secretary of State under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. Hay is best known for his role in negotiating the Open Door Policy, which ensured equal trading rights for all nations in China. He also played a part in the construction of the Panama Canal and promoted American interests abroad. His diplomatic style was characterized by a blend of pragmatism and idealism, and he significantly shaped U.S. foreign policy during a transformative era in international relations.