Gentlemen Agreement Act

The Gentlemen`s Agreement Act: Understanding Its History and Significance

The Gentlemen`s Agreement Act, also known as the Immigration Act of 1907, was a historic agreement between the United States and Japan to regulate immigration from Japan to the United States. It was a formal agreement that was not ratified by Congress but was a verbal agreement made directly between the two countries.

Background

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, immigration to the United States was booming. However, there was growing discontent among the white American populace about the influx of immigrants from non-European countries, especially Japan.

In 1906, San Francisco school authorities segregated Japanese school children in the public school system, which became a point of contention between the two countries. Japan`s government protested the decision on behalf of its citizens in the United States.

President Theodore Roosevelt, seeing the potential for diplomatic fallout, proposed a “gentlemen`s agreement” between the two countries, which was agreed upon in 1907.

The Agreement

The Gentlemen`s Agreement Act was a set of informal rules that aimed to restrict Japanese immigration to the United States without violating the 1894 Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between the two countries.

Under the agreement, the Japanese government agreed to issue passports only to laborers who were already in the United States, while the U.S. government promised not to impose further restrictions on Japanese immigration.

The agreement was only an informal understanding between the two countries, and it was not ratified by Congress. However, it was still highly effective in limiting Japanese immigration to the United States.

Significance

The Gentlemen`s Agreement Act was significant for several reasons. Firstly, it was the first time that the United States had made an agreement with a foreign country to restrict immigration.

Secondly, it was a significant achievement for President Roosevelt`s diplomacy and helped to ease tensions between the two countries.

Finally, it was a landmark agreement that set the precedent for future immigration policies, which would ultimately culminate in the Immigration Act of 1924, which imposed strict quotas on immigration from non-European countries.

Conclusion

The Gentlemen`s Agreement Act was a historic agreement between the United States and Japan that played a significant role in shaping immigration policies in the United States. Although it was only an informal understanding, it was still highly effective in limiting Japanese immigration to the United States and helped to ease tensions between the two countries. Today, it remains a reminder of the complex history of immigration in the United States and the ongoing efforts to balance national security with humanitarian concerns.