History Of The Jay Convention Of 1899

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In 1899, the international world as it existed at that time, sought to meet as one body in a belief of ending world war altogether. The First Hague Peace Conference of 1899 was an attempt by the international community to codify an international court and move beyond the previous methods of arbitration. Before the 1899 Peace Conference, the world settled early disputes through arbitration. The Jay treaty of 1794 between America and England and Alabama-United States-England of 1871-1872 had both been settled through an arbitration process. There was no real permanent court however to act as arbiter in these cases and the Hague Peace Convention of 1899 aimed to create one. The First Hague Peace Convention was held May through July in 1899. The United States was in favor of establishing a permanent court of arbitration at that time and was very involved in negotiations and drafting during the Conference. The United States signed and ratified Conventions I, II, and III. Convention I is the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes. This convention created the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which was one of the main goals of the 1899 Hague Peace Convention. Convention II is the Convention with respect to the Laws …show more content…

Delegates from the major powers, including and specifically the United States, were instructed to reject any type of weapons regulation. Convention IV and its subparts are clear provisions that would limit arms usage in combat. The United States made it clear to its delegates that the United States would not support any provisions that would limit arms. The delegates were not successful in removing such a provision or preventing such a provision to be drafted, therefore the United States refused to sign or ratify Convention IV and its