American internationalism: Peace advocacy and international relations, 1895--1916

This dissertation examines the history of early twentieth century peace advocates in defining internationalism and international cooperation. The influence and importance of these advocates has been almost completely ignored in modern accounts of the history of International Relations. This study begins in 1895 with the First Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration held in New York State, and ends with the last Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration in 1916. It will properly situate the concerns and contributions of these non-governmental organizations in advancing international politics and law, and in shaping the view of America's role as a world power. Examined in this work will be the American Conference on International Arbitration 1896 and 1904, the Hague Peace Conferences of 1899 and 1907 and the challenges faced by peace advocates because of World War I. The events addressed were part of an ever-evolving process and dialogue on the necessary methods to keep world order, protect America, and punish violators of the rule of law.; These advocates were lawyers, judges, politicians, clergy, teachers and business people who were committed to peaceful means of settling international disputes, and creating guidelines for an emerging "new world order" based on international law and cooperation. The new codes of diplomacy they envisioned were to be built upon a moral, Christian foundation of which American national life, along with Great Britain, were the best examples.; This dissertation argues that the appropriation of ideas on internationalism and international cooperation, initially discussed at non-government meetings, by official government representatives can be seen as proof that these peace advocates played a role in influencing diplomacy. The access to power these concerned citizens and groups had was unprecedented, and their efforts at reaching the population in general were innovative and successful. In addition, this research will provide a more complete picture of what it meant to be a peace advocate at this time, and the problems of creating an enforceable and ethical standard in international politics.