What was the primary goal of the United States when it engaged in the Boxer Rebellion in China?

The primary goal of the United States during the Boxer Rebellion was to protect American interests and influence in China. The rebellion, which took place between 1899 and 1901, was a nationalist uprising aimed at expelling foreign influence from China, which threatened the economic and geopolitical interests of various foreign powers, including the United States.

The U.S. was concerned about maintaining access to Chinese markets and ensuring the survival of its Open Door Policy, which advocated for equal trade opportunities for all countries in China while preventing any one nation from monopolizing the region. By intervening militarily alongside other foreign powers to suppress the Boxer Rebellion, the United States aimed to safeguard its commercial interests, protect American citizens and property, and assert its presence as a powerful player in the geopolitical landscape of Asia.

The other options, while having some relevance to the broader context of U.S. foreign policy, did not encapsulate the immediate motivations behind America's involvement in the Boxer Rebellion. Supporting Chinese sovereignty or promoting democracy were not priorities at this time, and furthermore, establishing diplomatic relations was more of a long-term goal that did not directly pertain to the immediate action taken during the rebellion.