Gentlemens Agreement
An informal non-binding agreement between two parties
Real World Example
The Gentlemen's Agreement of 1907 was an informal deal between the United States and Japan, where Japan agreed to limit emigration to the U.S., and in return, the U.S. promised not to impose formal immigration restrictions on Japanese people. This agreement was important because it aimed to reduce tensions over Japanese immigration, especially in California, where many Japanese immigrants were settling. It responded to racial prejudices and economic competition fears that were common during urbanization and immigration waves. Today, the concept of a gentlemen's agreement still matters because it shows how informal understandings can influence actions and relationships without legal binding. For example, in school, friends might have a gentlemen's agreement to share notes or help each other with homework, relying on trust rather than written rules.
