Executive agreements are a type of international agreement that is made between two or more countries without the approval of the United States Senate. This mode of agreement has been in use for many years and has served as a tool for American presidents to shape the country`s foreign policy. The history of executive agreements dates back to the early days of the United States, but it wasn`t until the twentieth century that they became a prominent part of American diplomacy.
The first executive agreement was made in 1799 between the United States and France. The treaty was signed by President John Adams and French diplomat Joseph Bonaparte, who was representing his brother, Napoleon Bonaparte. The agreement was aimed at resolving a dispute over the capture of American ships by French privateers. The agreement was not submitted to the Senate for approval, as was the custom at the time.
Throughout the nineteenth century, presidents continued to use executive agreements to conduct foreign affairs without the need for Congressional approval. In 1846, President James K. Polk made an executive agreement with Great Britain over the Oregon boundary dispute, which resolved a long-standing territorial dispute between the two nations.
However, it was during the twentieth century that executive agreements began to play a more significant role in American diplomacy. After World War II, the United States became a leading superpower, and its foreign policy became more complex. President Franklin D. Roosevelt used executive agreements extensively, including the Lend-Lease agreement with Great Britain, which provided military aid to the country during WWII.
President Harry Truman used executive agreements in his foreign policy, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) agreement, which established a military alliance between the United States and western European countries. The agreement was not submitted to the Senate for approval, despite many Senators wanting to do so.
In the decades following WWII, executive agreements were used more frequently by American Presidents. President Dwight D. Eisenhower made executive agreements with Taiwan, India, and South Korea. President John F. Kennedy created the Alliance for Progress with Latin American countries, and President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a peace agreement with North Vietnam.
In recent years, executive agreements have been used extensively by President Barack Obama. He signed agreements with Iran, Cuba, and the Paris Climate Agreement, among others. These agreements have been controversial, with some arguing that they circumvent democratic processes and give the president too much power in foreign policy.
In conclusion, executive agreements have been an important aspect of American diplomacy for over two centuries. While they were used infrequently in the early days of the United States, they have become a prominent tool for American presidents in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. While controversial at times, executive agreements have allowed for the United States to conduct its foreign policy more efficiently and effectively.