'Hugo Grotius: The Making of a Founding Father of International Law

Martine J. Van Ittersum

doi:10.1093/law/9780198701958.003.0005

'Hugo Grotius: The Making of a Founding Father of International Law

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Abstract

This essay chapter explains how the myths surrounding Hugo Grotius (1583–1645) came into being and whose interests have been served by it. It was a combination of Dutch nationalism and the rise of modern international law that turned Grotius into a ‘founding father’ of modern international law, with a little help, it should be said, from the American delegates at the 1899 Hague Peace Conference. The myth is based on a highly selective reading of De Jure Belli ac Pacis (1625) and completely ignores the larger historical context of Grotius’ work, particularly his hands-on involvement in Western imperialism and colonialism. The chapter aims to properly contextualize Grotius’ life and work, rather than to focus on just one aspect of it and use that to justify modern-day arrangements for the resolution of conflicts between states.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	The Oxford Handbook of the Theory of International Law
Editors	Anne Orford, Florian Hoffmann
Place of Publication	Oxford
Publisher	Oxford University Press
ISBN (Print)	9780198701958
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/law/9780198701958.003.0005
Publication status	Published - Jun 2016

Publication series

Name	Oxford Handbooks in Law
Publisher	Oxford University Press

Access to Document

10.1093/law/9780198701958.003.0005Licence: Other

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Van Ittersum, Martine
- History and Information Studies - Senior Lecturer (Teaching and Research)
Person: Academic

Cite this

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abstract = "This essay chapter explains how the myths surrounding Hugo Grotius (1583–1645) came into being and whose interests have been served by it. It was a combination of Dutch nationalism and the rise of modern international law that turned Grotius into a {\textquoteleft}founding father{\textquoteright} of modern international law, with a little help, it should be said, from the American delegates at the 1899 Hague Peace Conference. The myth is based on a highly selective reading of De Jure Belli ac Pacis (1625) and completely ignores the larger historical context of Grotius{\textquoteright} work, particularly his hands-on involvement in Western imperialism and colonialism. The chapter aims to properly contextualize Grotius{\textquoteright} life and work, rather than to focus on just one aspect of it and use that to justify modern-day arrangements for the resolution of conflicts between states.",

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