The gentlemen`s agreement of 1907 was an example of a concept known as informal diplomacy. This agreement was reached between the United States and Japan in order to limit the number of Japanese immigrants entering the US. At the time, there was growing fear and animosity towards Japanese immigrants, particularly in California where many had settled and were seen as a threat to white Americans.
The agreement was reached between US Secretary of State Elihu Root and Japanese Ambassador to the US, Baron Kogoro Takahira. It was a verbal agreement rather than a formal treaty, and it outlined the following provisions:
-The US would not impose any further restrictions on Japanese immigration
-Japan would not issue any more passports to laborers seeking to enter the US
-Any Japanese laborers already living in the US could still bring their families over
Although the agreement was never formally written down, it was seen as binding by both sides and was enforced until 1924 when the US passed the Immigration Act of 1924 which severely restricted immigration from Japan and other Asian countries.
The gentlemen`s agreement of 1907 is seen as a key example of informal diplomacy because it was reached through a series of informal conversations and negotiations rather than through a formal treaty or diplomatic protocol. It was also an example of how informal agreements can have long-lasting effects on international relations, as it helped shape US-Japan relations for many years to come.
In conclusion, the gentlemen`s agreement of 1907 was an example of informal diplomacy and demonstrated how informal agreements can have significant and lasting effects on international relations. It was a key moment in US-Japan relations and a reminder of the importance of diplomacy in resolving conflicts and building peaceful relationships between nations.