The Kellogg-Briand Pact outlawed war in 1928. This landmark international agreement, formally known as the General Treaty for Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy, sought to prevent future global conflicts by making aggressive war illegal.
Understanding the Kellogg-Briand Pact
Signed on August 27, 1928, the Kellogg-Briand Pact was the culmination of efforts to establish a legal framework for international peace. It was drafted by United States Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg and French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand. The pact gained widespread adherence, with most nations eventually signing it, signifying a collective aspiration for a world free from the scourge of war.
Key Aspects of the Pact
The core principles of the Kellogg-Briand Pact included:
- Renunciation of War: Signatory nations agreed to condemn recourse to war for the solution of international controversies, and renounce it as an instrument of national policy in their relations with one another.
- Peaceful Resolution: Disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin, which might arise among them, should never be sought except by pacific means.
While the pact did not include provisions for enforcement and ultimately failed to prevent World War II, it represented a significant moral and legal step in international relations. It influenced the development of international law, notably the concept that aggressive war is a crime, which was later used in the Nuremberg Trials after World War II.
For more detailed information on this historical agreement, you can refer to resources such as the Office of the Historian.
Summary Table: The Kellogg-Briand Pact
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Official Name | General Treaty for Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy |
| Common Name | Kellogg-Briand Pact |
| Date Signed | August 27, 1928 |
| Primary Purpose | To outlaw war as an instrument of national policy |
| Signatories | Initially 15 nations, eventually most of the world |
