Gentlemen's Agreement

Definition

A Gentlemen's Agreement is an informal, unwritten, and non-binding agreement or arrangement between two or more parties, typically individuals or organizations, based on the understanding and honor of the parties involved rather than being legally enforceable.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Gentlemen's Agreement of 1907-1908 was an informal agreement between the United States and Japan that effectively limited the immigration of Japanese workers to the U.S.
2. The agreement was a response to anti-Japanese sentiment and the exclusion of Japanese immigrants from the U.S. under the Gentleman's Agreement, which was seen as a diplomatic solution.
3. The Gentlemen's Agreement allowed Japan to save face by voluntarily restricting emigration to the U.S., rather than having the U.S. impose strict immigration laws.
4. The Gentlemen's Agreement was part of Taft's 'Dollar Diplomacy' policy, which sought to further American commercial and financial interests abroad through informal agreements and economic means.
5. The Gentlemen's Agreement was ultimately ineffective in controlling Japanese immigration, as the number of Japanese immigrants continued to grow through various loopholes and family reunification policies.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Gentlemen's Agreement was related to Taft's 'Dollar Diplomacy' policy.
  • The Gentlemen's Agreement was part of Taft's 'Dollar Diplomacy' policy, which aimed to further American commercial and financial interests abroad through informal agreements and economic means, rather than through formal treaties or military force. The Gentlemen's Agreement with Japan allowed the U.S. to limit Japanese immigration without imposing strict immigration laws, which aligned with the diplomatic and economic goals of Dollar Diplomacy.
• Describe the significance of the Gentlemen's Agreement in the context of U.S. immigration policy and relations with Japan.
  • The Gentlemen's Agreement was a significant event in U.S. immigration policy and relations with Japan. It represented an informal, non-binding agreement between the two countries that effectively limited the immigration of Japanese workers to the U.S. in response to anti-Japanese sentiment. The agreement allowed Japan to save face by voluntarily restricting emigration, rather than having the U.S. impose strict immigration laws. However, the Gentlemen's Agreement was ultimately ineffective in controlling Japanese immigration, as the number of immigrants continued to grow through various loopholes and family reunification policies.
• Analyze how the Gentlemen's Agreement and the Open Door Policy in China were related to the broader goals of U.S. foreign policy in the early 20th century.
  • The Gentlemen's Agreement and the Open Door Policy in China were both part of the broader goals of U.S. foreign policy in the early 20th century, particularly the pursuit of economic and commercial interests abroad. The Gentlemen's Agreement, which limited Japanese immigration to the U.S., was a diplomatic solution that aligned with Taft's 'Dollar Diplomacy' policy of furthering American financial and economic interests through informal agreements. Similarly, the Open Door Policy in China sought to ensure equal commercial access and opportunities for all nations in the country, reflecting the U.S. desire to expand its economic influence and maintain a presence in the region. Both of these policies were part of the larger U.S. strategy to project power and secure favorable conditions for American businesses and investments in the international arena.

Related terms

Dollar Diplomacy: A foreign policy pursued by the United States in the early 20th century that aimed to further American commercial and financial interests in other countries.

Open Door Policy: A policy adopted by the United States in the late 19th century that called for equal commercial access and opportunities for all nations in China.

Spheres of Influence: An informal imperial control or dominance over a foreign country or region, typically through economic or political means.