RUSH-BAGOT AND THE UPKEEP OF ARMS TREATIES

In: Arms control today, Band 21, Heft 7, S. 20-23

Abstract

THE HISTORY OF THE RUSH-BAGOT AGREEMENT OF 1817, WHICH LIMITED WARSHIPS ON THE GREAT LAKES, PROVIDES EXAMPLES OF MANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TREATIES. THE RUSH-BAGOT AGREEMENT WAS VIOLATED, SUBJECTED TO PROPORTIONAL RESPONSES, THREATENED WITH UNILATERAL REINTERPRETATION AND ABROGATION, MODIFIED BY EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT, AND VIOLATED AGAIN. ALTHOUGH IT PROVED HARD TO KILL, THESE SUCCESSIVE TRAUMAS COMPROMISED ITS PURPOSE AND VALUE. INDEED, CONTINUAL THREATS AND VIOLATIONS WORSENED THE RANCOR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. TODAY, WHAT INFLUENCE IT HAS FLOWS MAINLY FROM ITS SYMBOLISM; ALTHOUGH THE AGREEMENT REMAINS IN FORCE, NONE OF ITS ORIGINAL PROVISIONS IS CURRENTLY OBSERVED.