Week 2 : History of International Law

Introduction to History and International Law

  • Focus of discussion on the origins of international law and its historical context.

  • Importance of early assignments or assessments, specifically one worth 10 points towards final grades, to avoid significant impacts on overall performance.

Historical Context of International Law

Overview of Historical Argumentation

  • Multiple arguments regarding the origins of laws and their classifications as legal or otherwise.

  • Emphasis on needing a foundational understanding of history due to its dynamic developments which shape modern understandings of laws.

Technology and Communication

  • Definition of technology includes historic tools such as fountain pens and ballpoint pens in addition to modern digital tools.

  • Communication technologies have radically changed, impacting how history was recorded and conveyed.

Understanding Time and Calendars

  • Reference to the document on "100 ways international law shapes our lives" discussing the concept of time.

  • Importance of a shared calendar and understanding birth dates as a common social structure.

  • Discussion on different calendars, e.g., Chinese New Year and Islamic calendars, which reflect diverse cultural understandings of time.

Timeline of Human Existence

  • Comparison of timelines BC (Before Christ) and AC (Anno Domini) and civilization emergence with writings dating back to the Sumerians.

  • Acknowledgment of vast periods of unwritten history, suggesting 95% of human history is undocumented or lost.

The Role of Ancient Civilizations

  • Discussion of the Greco-Roman civilization as a pivotal point in the evolution of political theory and democracy.

  • Highlight of philosophers like Plato and Socrates as foundational figures in typical historical narratives.

Bridging Ancient Civilizations and Democracy

Sumerian Contributions

  • The Sumerian civilization credited with the introduction of written language, marking a significant point in recorded history.

Historical Oversights

  • Modern historiography often emphasizes Greco-Roman contributions while neglecting other civilizations’ inputs.

  • Acknowledgment of early human organization around water resources leading to urbanization across various civilizations (e.g., River Valley civilizations).

Cyrus the Great and Human Rights

  • Cyrus the Great in ancient Iran noted for establishing an early codification of human rights within his empire.

  • His laws emphasized justice and fairness, challenging narratives that suggest pre-Greco-Roman societies lacked organized legal frameworks.

Interconnections with Other Civilizations

  • Recognition that Greek and Roman civilizations were not isolated; they borrowed extensively from African and Asian civilizations.

  • Reference to shared libraries and the historical transmission of knowledge across cultures.

Educational Developments in Ancient Civilizations

Higher Learning Institutions

  • Understanding that early forms of universities and learning institutes emerged, notably with some debate about geographical origins (e.g., Morocco versus Asia).

The Age of Exploration and Wealth

Mansa Musa

  • Discussion of Mansa Musa as historically one of the wealthiest individuals, showcasing the richness of African civilizations not often highlighted in mainstream history.

Transformative Developments in Communication

Evolution of Communication Technologies

  • Emphasis on how communication methods evolved over time, affecting the pace and method of knowledge dissemination.

Understanding Historical Narratives

Erasure of Ancient Knowledge

  • The idea that histories often erase important contributions from non-Western civilizations.

  • Impacts of social consciousness and biases on children's educational narratives (e.g., use of language in textbooks regarding slavery).

Exploring International Law

Origin Arguments for International Law

  • Different views on when international law originated, focusing on significant treaties like the Treaties of Westphalia in 1648 as a major milestone.

  • Description of how treaties established rules for state sovereignty and international relations.

The Complexity of International Law Sources

  • Highlighting that no single book contains all established international laws; instead, laws derive from multiple sources reflective of societal pluralism.

Components of International Law in Ancient Egypt

  • Examination of the New Kingdom period in ancient Egypt (1570-1070 BCE) and its diplomatic and legal frameworks.

  • Discussion of major legal precedents, including treaties and customary laws of the time.

The Treaty of Kadesh

  • Identification of the Treaty of Kadesh as one of the earliest peace treaties, highlighting its provisions for diplomatic relations and mutual defense.

  • Insight into how treaties were documented in multiple languages, demonstrating an early understanding of written legal agreements.

Concluding Thoughts on History's Role in Understanding Law

  • History viewed as subjective, with different narratives emerging based on victors.

  • Scholars and historical figures shaped by the political context of their times and societal beliefs informing the historical perspectives we study today.