ipl-logo

St. Augustine Doctrine

1526 Words7 Pages

In ancient times, each state had its own theories and perceptions of how the rules for waging war should be defined. The right of going to war is known as jus ad bellum. In ancient Greece, waging war against barbarians was considered to be just. It was Saint Augustine (354-430 C.E.), a prominent Christian in Ancient Rome, who first put forward a just war doctrine. Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), a renowned theologian, concurred with St Augustine’ doctrine. According to them, there were 'three principles that govern the prerequisites for the initiation of a just war, i) the authoritativeness of the initiator of war, ii) just reasons for waging war and iii) the legitimate intentions of war. Hugo Grotius (1583-1645) later expanded upon the concept …show more content…

He believed that war was not only compatible with but was sometimes required by all three forms of law: natural law, nations (international law) and divine law. He said “where judicial settlement fails, war begins” (De Jure Belli ac Pacis. II.1.2.1) Grotius believed that war was less to do with divine law, and more to do with international law (civil law). As such, positivism should be considered in deciding the constituents of a just war. His philosophical underpinning was that divine law should be omitted from the jus ad bellum process. Instead, positivism, international relations and politics were the defining factors of war …show more content…

This intention caused the creation of the League of Nations. The Covenant of the League of Nations, 1919, did not prohibit war, but instead placed limitations on the use of force. In the event of a potential dispute, member states agreed to submit the dispute to arbitration, judicial settlement or to inquiry by the Council of the League. War was not to be resorted to until three months after the decision by one of those authorities. This cooling off period was intended to defuse situations. Article 10 of the Covenant required member states "to respect and preserve as against external aggression the territorial integrity and political independence of all Members of the League.” Despite the League of Nation’s positive intentions, it ultimately proved to be a failure. The Second World War broke out in

Show More
Related

  • Treaty Of Versailles Dbq

    1511 Words  | 7 Pages

    Precisely, as stated by Irreconcilable William Borah in a speech to the Senate in 1918, the League of Nations in particular stands no chance at imposition, and certainly does not stand on its own, for it clearly, contradictorily advocates for the very measures that it seemingly goes against: “The first proposition connected with the proposed league is that of a tribunal to settle the matters of controversy which may arise between the different nations. Will anyone advocate that those matters which are of vital importance to our people shall be submitted to a tribunal created other than by our own people and give it an international army subject to its direction and control to enforce its decrees? I doubt if anyone will advocate that … if you do not do so, Mr. President, what will your league amount to? … In its last analysis the proposition is force to destroy force, conflict to prevent conflict, militarism to destroy militarism, war to prevent war. In its last analysis it must be that if it has any sanction behind its judgment at all.

    Read More

  • Treaty Of Versailles Dbq Essay

    977 Words  | 4 Pages

    Following the First World War, the Treaty of Versailles was ratified in 1919 with the goal of bringing a lasting peace in Europe between the Allied powers and Germany. However, its unpopular and one-sided declarations, combined with the harsh reparations imposed on the defeated nations, would ultimately lead to the outbreak of World War II less than two decades later. The treaty was a harsh punishment on Germany forcing them to set limits on their military capabilities and make reparation payments. The Treaty of Versailles did not adequately address the grievances of the German people, which ultimately led to a resurgence of nationalism, militarism, and resentment of the Allies, contributing to the outbreak of World War II. France, England,

    Read More

  • Treaty Of Versailles Dbq

    471 Words  | 2 Pages

    After millions of deaths occurred during World War I, a peace treaty known as the Treaty of Versailles was created to maintain peace as well as prevent war; however, coincedently, the same treaty that was made to sustain peace helped prompt the start of yet another bloody war known as World War II. During the end of World War I, Germany was forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles as punishment for Germany and her allies being the aggressors of the war. Reparations, the War Guilt Clause, territorial loss, and restricted military were all factors as to how the Treaty of Versailles helped trigger World War II. War reparations were payments that Germany were required to pay as punishment to World War 1. Document C displays how Germany was set

    Read More

  • Summary Of Wilson's War Message To Congress

    785 Words  | 4 Pages

    Finally, it describes how the League of Nations was founded and the Versailles treaty in 1920 of

    Read More

  • Versailles Treaty Dbq

    1290 Words  | 6 Pages

    So in an attempt to avoid future conflict of the same scale, the Allies allowed the Central Powers no participation in the treaty’s negotiations, stripped Germany of many of its territories, blamed it for the war, and imposed substantial reparation payments. However, although the Allies were hopeful that these measures would ensure peace in the future, the Versailles Treaty has been cited as a

    Read More

  • Treaty Of Versailles Dbq Essay

    397 Words  | 2 Pages

    Because of that point, American senators were iffy about ratifying the treaty. They saw the League of Nations as a trap. Basically America would be pulled into all kinds of wars even if they were not the ones directly attacked. If America had decided to ratify it, all of the Americans would be at risk because who is to say a nation not in the

    Read More

  • Significance Of World War 2 Canada

    751 Words  | 4 Pages

    After the first attempt of the league of nations was made, it failed and was the result of world war 2. The league of nations was assembled after world war 2 to prevent any future wars and conflicts between countries. The league has been successful this time due to the amount of participating countries involved. In total 50 countries are involved. In 1939 there were 9/10 counties contributing making only a same impact to any conflict.

    Read More

  • Woodrow Wilson Dbq

    1128 Words  | 5 Pages

    Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States, was the leader of our country from 1913-1921. Wilson was one of the key leaders of the progressive movement which aimed to improve America after the industrial era. Additionally, Wilson is said to be one of the Nation’s greatest presidents (History). Not only did he advocate for world peace and democracy, he led America through World War I. According to the Federalist Society/ Wall Street Journal, President Woodrow Wilson received a grade of an ( A-) meaning as a president, he was near great.

    Read More

  • How Can Peace Lead To War

    947 Words  | 4 Pages

    Woodrow mean by peace without victory? What is the treaty of Versailles? What did Germany lose by signing the treaty of Versailles? These are all questions that will be answered throughout this paper. I believe that peace doesn 't have to lead to war.

    Read More

  • Appeasement In Ww2 Essay

    589 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the largest wars in history could have been stopped if the right path had been taken. Before World War 2, the countries of the war were stumped on how to deal with the German power that was increasing in power and hoping to dictate the world. The two options of foreign policy that could change the course of history were appeasement and collective security. Appeasement was the option of, giving the aggressor Germany what they wanted in hope that it would lead to peace. The countries agreed on this policy when they established the Munich Agreement, which would give a portion of Czechoslovakia to Germany.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Treaty Of Versailles Dbq

    1231 Words  | 5 Pages

    World War I, at its time, was the most violent and destructive war in human history. Afterwards, the Allies convened at the Paris Peace Conference to ensure that such total and utter demolition and loss of human life would never happen again. At this conference, they created the Treaty of Versailles, a peace treaty which dictated the terms of Germany’s surrender. America’s greatest concern with this treaty was Article X, a clause which stated the terms of the League of Nations. This was incredibly controversial, as it dictated that the nations who ratified the treaty would be required to involve themselves in conflicts which may not necessarily pertain to them.

    Read More

  • Impact Of Woodrow Wilson's Presidency

    810 Words  | 4 Pages

    His program was an idealistic plan for peace promoting open diplomacy to remove cause for conflict, deal with territorial integrity and endorsed an international peace keeping organisation: The League of Nations. Although the Fourteen Points were imposed on the Treaty of Versailles that ultimately failed it became an important part of the idealistic ideas in Americas Foreign Policy during the 20th Century. The idea behind the League of Nations, which was also unsuccessful, has prevailed, having a lasting impact on modern day society in the United

    Read More

  • Franklin D Roosevelt Research Paper

    1278 Words  | 6 Pages

    He moved to create a "grand alliance" against the Axis powers through "The Declaration of the United Nations," January 1, 1942, in which all nations fighting the Axis agreed not to make a separate peace

    Read More

  • The Consequences Of The Treaty Of Versailles

    791 Words  | 4 Pages

    Introduction World War I came to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919. The treaty was signed to create lasting peace. The treaty was negotiated between the three allied powers of Britain, France and the United States with no participation from Germany. The treaty 's negotiations revealed a split between the three allied powers with France intending to weaken Germany in such a manner that it would make it impossible for it to renew hostilities. However, Britain and the United States objected to some of the provisions because of the fear that it would be a pretext for another war.

    Read More

  • Successes And Failures Of The League Of Nations

    1369 Words  | 6 Pages

    This essay will examine some of the successes and failures of the League of Nations in terms of maintaining peace between countries. The successes of the League of Nations mostly involved disputes between smaller nations. In the year of 1921, the League settled one of the first disputes since its formation. The Åland Islands are located in between Sweden and Finland. The islands were controlled by Finland but the majority of the population was Swedish, and they wanted to be controlled by Sweden.

    Read More

More about St. Augustine Doctrine

Open Document