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A peace treaty is an agreement (a peace treaty) between two hostile parties, usually countries or governments, that formally ends a war or armed conflict. It is different from an armistice, which is an agreement to cease hostilities, or a surrender, in which an army agrees to give up arms.
Ancient history
One of the earliest recorded peace treaties was between the Hittite and Egyptian empires after the Battle of Kadesh c.1280 BC. The battle took place in what is now modern day Syria, the entire area of the Levant being at that time a contested area between the two empires. After an extremely costly four-day battle, in which neither side gained any significant advantage, both sides claimed victory. The lack of resolution led to a further battle looking imminent just a few years. Neither side could afford another war at that time as each were being threatened by other enemies; hence a peace treaty was concluded.
The peace treaty was recorded in two versions, one in Egyptian hieroglyphs and the other in Akkadian using Cuneiform script; fortunately, both versions survive. This dual language method is common to many subsequent treaties. What is rather different from other treaties is that the two copies were differently worded. Although the majority of the text is identical, the Hittite version claims that the Egyptians came to them asking for peace whereas the Egyptian version of the same text say it was the other way round. The treaty was given to the Egyptians in the form of a silver plaque and this 'pocket-book' version was taken back to Egypt and carved into the Temple of Karnak.
The Treaty was concluded between Ramses II and Hattusili III, and in its eighteen articles it first calls for peace and then says that their respective gods also demand peace. It contains many elements found in more modern treaties although it is perhaps more far-reaching than the simple declaration of the end of hostilities in later treaties. It also contains a mutual assistance pact in the event that one of the empires should be attacked by a third party, or in the event of internal strife. There are articles pertaining to the forced repatriation of refugees and provisos that they should not be harmed; this might be thought of as the first extradition treaty. There are also threats of retribution if the treaty is broken.
This treaty is considered of such importance in the field of international relations that a reproduction of it hangs in the United Nations headquarters.
Elements of treaties
There are many possible issues which may be included in a peace treaty, and a treaty's content usually depends heavily on the nature of the conflict being concluded. Some of these may be:
- Formal designation of borders.
- Processes for resolving future disputes
- Access to and apportioning of natural resources
- Status of prisoners
- Status of refugees
- Settling of existing debts
- Settling of ownership claims
- Defining of proscribed behavior
- The re-application of existing treaties
Treaties are often ratified in territories deemed neutral in the previous conflict and delegates from these neutral territories act as witnesses to the signatories. In the case of large conflicts between numerous parties there may be one international treaty covering all issues or separate treaties signed between each party.
In more modern times certain intractable conflict situations, may first be brought to cease-fire and are then dealt with via a peace process where a number of discrete steps are taken on each side to eventually reach the mutually desired goal of peace and the signing of a treaty. A peace treaty also is often not used to end a civil war, especially in cases of a failed secession, as it implies mutual recognition of statehood. In such cases such as with the American Civil War is usually ended when the armies of the losing side surrenders and the government collapses.
By contrast, a successful secession or declaration of independence is often formalized by means of a peace treaty.
Role of UN
Since the founding of the United Nations after World War II this organization has sought to act as a forum for resolution in matters of international conflict and is often instrumental in peace processes and peace treaties. The number of international treaties and obligations member states are involved in which they seek to limit and control behaviour during wartime has perhaps made the idea of total war less tenable. This has meant that formal declarations of war are frequently not undertaken and therefore a peace treaty at the end is also not entered in to. The Korean War is an example of a war which was suspended with a cease-fire but never closed with a treaty.
Famous peace treaties
Famous examples include the Treaty of Versailles, formally ending the First World War. The latter treaty is possibly the most notorious of peace treaties in that it is "blamed" by some historians for the rise of National Socialism in Germany and the eventual outbreak of the Second World War. The costly reparations Germany was forced to pay the victors of the war, the fact that Germany had to accept sole responsibility for starting the war and the harsh restrictions on German rearmament were all listed in the treaty and they caused massive resentment within Germany. Whether the Treaty of Versailles can be blamed for starting another war or not, shows the difficulties involved in making peace.
Another famous example would be the series of peace treaties known as the Peace of Westphalia. It initiated the modern fashion of diplomacy as it marked the beginning of the modern system of nation-states. Subsequent wars were not about issues of religion, but rather revolved around issues of state. This allowed Catholic and Protestant powers to ally, leading to a number of major realignments.
See also
- Treaty
- List of treaties
- Peace
- Peace process
- Diplomacy
- Escheat of Limbo Cessions
External links
- United States Institute of Peace Digital Peace Agreements Collection
- Images of both versions of the treaty of Kadesh
- Text of the treaty
"Peace treaty"