Exam 22: Global Involvements and World War I

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The term "Gentlemen's Agreement" refers to an informal and non-binding understanding or agreement between parties based on trust and honor, rather than a legally enforceable contract. Such agreements rely on the integrity of the parties involved rather than on any legal framework.

One of the most historically significant examples of a Gentlemen's Agreement occurred in 1907 between the United States and the Empire of Japan. During this period, there was increasing tension and hostility towards Japanese immigrants on the West Coast of the United States. In response to the discrimination and to avoid potential conflict, the governments of Japan and the United States reached an understanding.

Under this Gentlemen's Agreement, the Japanese government agreed to voluntarily restrict the emigration of Japanese laborers to the United States. In exchange, President Theodore Roosevelt agreed to persuade the city of San Francisco to rescind an order that had forced children of Japanese descent to attend segregated schools. Additionally, the U.S. government agreed to allow the family members of Japanese immigrants already living in the United States to join them.

This agreement was significant because it was an attempt to resolve diplomatic tensions without formal legislation or treaties. It also reflected the racial and immigration-related challenges of the era, as well as the complexities of international relations. The Gentlemen's Agreement was effective in reducing Japanese immigration and easing some of the immediate tensions, but it also laid the groundwork for future immigration restrictions, such as the Immigration Act of 1924, which further limited immigration from Japan and other countries.