Introduction
The Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928, or the Pact of Paris, was a multilateral agreement in which signatories renounced the use of war as an instrument of national policy except under certain circumstances and agreed to settle any international disputes through diplomatic means or through mandated judicial or arbitral processes. As a result, the Kellogg-Briand Pact is also referred to as the Pact of Paris or the Kellogg-Briand Treaty.
The Kellogg-Briand Pact was established by French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand and US Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg on August 27, 1928. The Pact was signed by 62 countries and ultimately ratified by all but four of those signatories. The historical significance of the Kellogg-Briand Pact is that it was the first step towards codifying the principle of disarmament and the peaceful resolution of international conflicts.
Background
The Kellogg-Briand Pact was a response to the devastation caused by the First World War and the unique nature of the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed severe restrictions on Germany, including the disarmament of its military. Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg and French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand saw the Pact as an opportunity to reaffirm the principles of disarmament and peaceful conflict resolution which they both believed were necessary for a lasting peace.
The Pact took shape in the form of a proposal first suggested by Briand to Kellogg. Under the proposal, the signatories would renounce the use of war as an instrument of national policy and would agree to settle all disputes between them through arbitration or other peaceful dispute resolution processes. Briands proposal was quickly accepted by Kellogg and the two set about negotiating the terms of the Pact.
Security Implications
The Kellogg-Briand Pact has served as a cornerstone of international security policy since its signing in 1928. The Pact fundamentally changed the way nations approach the resolution of international disputes, since it precluded the use of war as a viable option. This has had a lasting effect on the international security landscape, as nations are now encouraged to use peaceful means to resolve conflicts.
The Pact has enabled the development of an international security system based not on the threat of war, but on the threat of economic or diplomatic sanctions. This system has enabled the creation of international organizations such as the United Nations and its Security Council, which are charged with resolving disputes between nations in a peaceful manner.
Conclusion
The Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 remains one of the most important legal documents in international politics. The Pact serves as the cornerstone of the current international security system and has encouraged the peaceful resolution of disputes on the international scene. The principles enshrined in the Pact remain as relevant today as they were in 1928, and the document is a testament to the power of collective action in the pursuit of a more peaceful world.
