Introduction

Abstract

International Law or the Law of Nations as a body of rules governing the intercourse of independent States is as ancient as independent States themselves. Modest at the beginning, and embracing a limited number of rules commonly recognized by the States in their intercourse, international law developed to a considerable degree in that ancient regional community of nations comprising Egypt, Babylon, Assyria and the Kingdom of Chetites, with their practice of treaties, diplomatic representation, international arbitration, and with a common diplomatic language—Babylonian. Within the community of the Greek nations, the nucleus of most of today’s institutions and elements of international law was in existence.’ During the Middle Ages and in modern times, the number and scope of rules and principles of the Law of Nations, which the States considered as binding upon themselves in their mutual relations, first inside the Christian world and later within the “Community of civilized nations,” increased steadily. The Treaties of Westphalia (Münster and Osnabrück, 1648), Utrecht (1713), Vienna (1815), Paris (1856), the Hague Peace Conferences (1899, 1907), the Peace Treaties of 1919-1920 with the creation of the League of Nations, and the Kellogg Pact of 1928 may be considered as the main landmarks in the development of the scope of international law and of its territorial growth embracing gradually all the countries of our planet.

If not otherwise indicated, translations from French, German, Latin and Polish are by the author.