According to agreements made in 1818 and 1827, the United States and Great Britain solidified their diplomatic relationship in the early 19th century. These agreements helped shape the international policies of both countries and laid the foundation for future cooperation between the two nations.
The Agreement of 1818, also known as the Convention of Commerce, Navigation, and Fishing, established several important points of agreement between the United States and Great Britain. Among these was the delineation of the boundary between the U.S. and British North America (present-day Canada) along the 49th parallel. This boundary agreement helped to reduce tensions between the two nations, which had been escalating over competing claims to land in the Pacific Northwest.
The Agreement of 1818 also allowed for shared fishing rights in the North Atlantic between the United States and Canada, as well as a 10-year joint occupation of the Oregon Territory, which was then disputed between the two countries. This joint occupation provided both nations with access to the territory for exploration and trade.
The Convention of 1827, also known as the Treaty of Great Britain and the United States on Suppression of the African Slave Trade, was another significant agreement between the two nations. This treaty established a joint commitment to suppress the transatlantic slave trade by mutual naval forces. The agreement allowed both countries to act against ships that were found to be transporting enslaved Africans across the Atlantic. Although the slave trade persisted for several more decades, this treaty marked an important step in international cooperation to end the inhumane practice.
Together, these agreements of 1818 and 1827 helped to establish a framework of diplomatic cooperation between the United States and Great Britain. These agreements became important precedents for agreements with other nations in the future.
In conclusion, the agreements made in 1818 and 1827 between the United States and Great Britain marked significant milestones in the diplomatic relationship between the two nations. The agreements helped to quell tensions, establish important territorial boundaries, and set a precedent for international cooperation in the suppression of the transatlantic slave trade. Even today, the framework established by these agreements remains an important part of the diplomatic relationship between the United States and Great Britain.