The History of International Law

This concise timeline maps the broad history of public international law with particular attention paid to the signing of major treaties, the foundation of fundamental institutions, the birth of major figures in international law and milestones in the development of some of the field’s best-known doctrines. There are varying opinions on where to start in the history of international law, as well as arguments around periodising the dynamic developments, though for this project we have started with the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. Explore some of the major developments in the history of international law and read more by clicking through to freed-up chapters from the Oxford Historical Treaties, the Max Planck Encyclopaedia of Public International Law, relevant book chapters, blog pieces and journal articles. (Background image: Réception d'un ambassadeur français à Constantinople, Vanmour Jean-Baptiste (1671-1737). (c) RMN-Grand Palais / A. Danvers. Licensed and used with permission.)

Treaty of Tordesillas The treaty was an agreement (capitulación) between the monarchs of what was later called Spain, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, on the one hand, and John II, King of Portugal, on the other.

Treaty of Zaragoza Marks the first time that one of the Iberian states bases its claim to territory on a right of first discovery rather than on papal edict.

Francisco de Vitoria delivers lectures Presenting at the University of Salamanca on the legal position of newly colonised natives of the West Indies and what laws of war apply to them.

Birth of Francisco Suárez Francisco Suárez is one of the best known members of a major 16th- and 17th-century intellectual movement known as the ‘School of Salamanca’ or the ‘second scholastic’.

Birth of Alberico Gentili Alberico Gentili, jurist, is born on 14 January 1552 in Castello di San Ginesio.

Treaty of Amasya The first treaty between Muslim entities (Ottomans and Safavids).

Religious Peace of Augsburg A landmark in the history of sovereignty, establishing equal respect for the principalities and estates of the Holy Roman Empire adhering to the Catholic and Lutheran confessions

Jean Bodin on sovereignty Frenchman Jean Bodin offers a classic definition of sovereignty: "the Sovereign has supreme power over citizens and subjects and is not bound by any laws"

Birth of Hugo Grotius In 1625 Grotius publishes De iure belli ac pacis (On the Law of War and Peace). The work reveals a modern conception of natural law which, whilst still recognizing God as the ultimate legitimating authority, frees international law from some of its theological baggage and offers warring confessions some neutral ground on to find peace in the 30 Years War.

Foundation of the Dutch East India Company The Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC helped to establish global trade.

Madrid Peace Treaty Marks the first time that two seafaring nations (England and Spain) agree that all of the seas are governed by law, not just those within so-called "lines of amity".

The Westphalian Treaties The term ‘Peace of Westphalia’ principally denotes the Treaty of Peace between France and the Holy Roman Empire and the Treaty of Peace between the Holy Roman Empire and Sweden.

Richard Zouche publishes the first manual of international law Find out more about Zouche and the origins of international law, with a chapter from Brierly's Law of Nations: An Introduction to the Role of International Law in International Relations.

Treaty of Peace between France and Iroquois Indians of the nation of Tsonnot8an [Tsonnotuan] The first treaty between a European power and a North American indigenous policy

The Peace of Breda The conclusion of the Second Anglo-Dutch War had lasting implications for both nations’ standing in international affairs.

Publication of Pufendorf's Law of Nature and Nations The law of nations is that which enables States to regulate their self-interest among each other by the basic rule of ‘sociability’.

Peace of Utrecht The peace settlement that put an end to one of the major and most devastating wars in early-modern European history, the War of the Spanish Succession (1700–1713/1714).

Birth of Emer de Vattel Author of 'The Law of Nations' is born in Switzerland.

League of Hanover An alliance between Louis XV of France, George I of Great Britain/Hanover and Frederick William I of Brandenburg/Prussia

Seven Years War First major conflict between European nations being fought outside of Europe.

US Declaration of Independence Brings the concept of self-determination to the world stage. Explore this concept with a chapter from Commentary on UN Charter from OSAIL.

French Revolutionary Constitution Adopts provisions on non-intervention in other state's affairs, and the treatment of aliens.

Declaration Du Droit des Gens A catalogue of fundamental rights and duties is set forth, the Declaration du Droit des Gens, authored by Henri Grégoire.

Birth of Francis Lieber author of the Lieber Code, also known as A Code for the Government of Armies in the Field, as Authorized by the Laws and Usages of War on Land (1863)

Creation of Haiti Sparks off independence movement in Latin America

Napoleon brings the Holy Roman Empire to an end

Slave Trade Act 1807 Britain bans the international slave trade in 1807, and the US does so in 1808.

Congress of Vienna The Congress of Vienna marked the establishment of a new political and legal order for Europe after more than two decades of turmoil and war following the French Revolution.

Monroe Doctrine promulgated The USA made it a foreign policy aim to prevent European States from establishing new footholds as against the newly independent States in the Americas.

Johnson v M’Intosh US Supreme Court decision defines the Doctrine of Discovery and what it means for European acquisition of land from indigenous peoples

Birth of Carlos Calvo Originator of the Calvo Clause and Calvo Doctrine

Simon Bolivar's Panama Congress Heralds a new era of autonomy and regionalism in Latin America

Great Powers' intervention in Greek uprising This intervention was seen by some as the birth of humanitarian intervention

Convention on the Navigation of the Rhine Marks the beginning of agreements on shared resources

Mexico gains independence from Spain Read more about Mexico's independence in the Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law.

Treaty of Nanking Cedes Hong Kong to Britain

Birth of Sir Ernest Satow Author of the leading text on diplomatic law and practice

Repeal of the Corn Laws Turns Great Britain into protector of the high seas of free trade

The Treaty of Erzurum The first serious attempt by the two leading powers of the Middle East – Persia and the Ottoman Empire - to demarcate a precise border

Ryuku-US Treaty The first international treaty under modern international law to which Japan was a party

Ottoman Empire admitted to the Concert of Europe A sign that the empire had secured recognition as a full-fledged ‘European’ State

Official takeover of the government of India Colonial rule of the Indian subcontinent began through infiltration of trade monopolies such as the British East India Company (Colonialism).

Birth of L. F. L. Oppenheim Author of what is still (in its 9th edition) the leading treatise on international law in English.

International Committee of the Red Cross founded The ICRC was established in Geneva in 1863.

Lieber Code signed by President Abraham Lincoln Named after its drafter Francis Lieber.

The first Geneva Convention is signed The “Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field” marked the start of international attempts to codify the treatment of the sick, wounded and shipwrecked.

International Telegraph Union established This was the first international organisation established.

Sino-Japan Treaty of Amity The first treaty China agreed with another East Asian state

Institut de Droit International Seen by leading scholar Martti Koskenniemi as marking the birth of international law as a profession.