A non-legally binding agreement between parties, often characterized by unspoken mutual respect and understanding, significantly restricted specific groups in various sectors during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States. For instance, one such arrangement in 1907 between the United States and Japan limited Japanese immigration to the U.S. in exchange for desegregation of California schools. This informal pact serves as an example of how discriminatory practices could be implemented without formal legislation.
The importance of understanding these arrangements lies in their impact on immigration, labor, and social dynamics of the era. These agreements, while seemingly benign on the surface, often perpetuated inequality and discrimination against minority groups, impacting their opportunities and experiences. Studying these instances reveals the complex interplay of race, economics, and politics in shaping American history, demonstrating how social norms and biases can have far-reaching consequences even without the force of law.
