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The Constitution • Constitution.com

Monroe Doctrine

By the end of the 19th century, the Monroe Doctrine was seen as a defining moment in the foreign policy of the United States and is one of its longest-standing…
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4 minute read

Homestead Act

An Act to Secure Homesteads to Actual Settlers on the Public Domain
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6 minute read

The Paris Peace Treaty of September 30, 1783

  The Definitive Treaty of Peace 1783 In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity. It having pleased the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts of the most…
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9 minute read

Exchange of Notes Referring to Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with France of February 6, 1778

Versailles 27th August, 1784. SIR: You have communicated to me an extract from the instructions which Congress addressed to you the 11th May last, which imports that the United States…
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2 minute read

Explanatory Article to Article 3 of the Jay Treaty, Signed at Philadelphia May 5, 1796

Explanatory Article. Whereas by the third Article of the treaty of amity, commerce and navigation concluded at London on the nineteenth day of November, one thousand seven hundred and ninety four, between…
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3 minute read

Explanatory Article to Article 5 of the Jay Treaty, Signed at London March 15, 1798

Explanatory Article. Whereas by the Twenty Eighth Article of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation, between His Britannick Majesty, and the United States, signed at London on the Nineteenth day…
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3 minute read

Declarations for Suspension of Arms and Cessation of Hostilities, signed at Versailles January 20, 1783

Both original declarations in French, and American declaration also in English. We the underwritten Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of North America, having received from Mr Fitz-Herbert, Minister Plenipotentiary of…
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2 minute read

Declaration of the Commissioners under Article 5 of the Jay Treaty, signed at Providence October 25, 1798

By Thomas Barclay, David Howell and Egbert Benson Commissioners appointed in pursuance of the fifth article of the Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navigation between His Britannic Majesty and The United States of America finally to decide…
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3 minute read

Convention between His Most Christian Majesty and the United States of America, for the Purpose of Defining and Establishing the Functions and Privileges of Their Respective Consuls and Vice Consuls – Nov. 14, 1788

His Majesty the Most Christian King and the United States of America, having, by the twenty- ninth article of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce concluded between them, mutually granted…
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12 minute read

Contract between the King and the Thirteen United States of North America February 25, 1783

The reestablished peace between the belligerent powers, the advantages of a free commerce to all parts of the globe, and the independence of the thirteen United States of North America,…
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6 minute read

Contract Between the King and the Thirteen United States of North America, signed at Versailles July 16, 1782

The King having been pleased to attend to the requests made to him in the name and on behalf of the united provinces of North America for assistance in the…
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7 minute read

Instructions for the Government of Armies of the United States in the Field – 24 April 1863

Prepared by Francis Lieber, promulgated as General Orders No. 100 by President Lincoln, 24 April 1863. Instructions for the Government of Armies of the United States in the Field, prepared…
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37 minute read

The Kellogg-Briand Pact – The Pact of Paris and the Relationship of the United States to the World Community – October 30, 1935

An Address Delivered over the Columbia Broadcasting System October 30, 1935 THE HONORABLE FRANK B. KELLOGG Former Secretary of State THE right thinking American citizens desire that our country keep…
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6 minute read

The Kellogg-Briand Pact – The French Embassy to the Department of State – September 25, 1929

The French Embassy to the Department of State 1. Position of France NAVAL SITUATION OF FRANCE AND ITALY 1. No difficulty can arise between France and the United States. 2.…
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4 minute read

The Kellogg-Briand Pact – The Ambassador in France (Edge) to the Secretary of State – December 16, 1929

PARIS, December 16, 1929-4p.m. [Received December 1-3:30 p.m.] 565. On the morning of December 14, I was received by Briand in the customary audience preliminary to presenting my letter of…
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1 minute read

The Kellogg-Briand Pact – Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (Castle) – October 25, 1929.

[WASHINGTON,] October 25, 1929. THE SECRETARY: The French Ambassador came to see me this morning to say that, in talking with you the other day, you had said that you…
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3 minute read

The Kellogg-Briand Pact – Memorandum by the Secretary of State – October 10, 1929

[Washington,] October 10, 1929 The French Ambassador came in to say that the French Government was very warmly pleased with the visit of Mr. MacDonald. and that they considered it a…
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3 minute read

The Kellogg-Briand Pact – The Multilateral Pact – “Renunciation of War” by Edwin Borchard – 1928

THE MULTILATERAL PACT “RENUNCIATION OF WAR” BY EDWIN BORCHARD (An address delivered at the Williamstown Institute of Politics August 22, 1928) I THE origin of the negotiations between the United…
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10 minute read

The Kellogg-Briand Pact – Hearings Before the Committee on Foreign Relations United States Senate Seventieth Congress on The General Pact for the Renunciation of War signed at Paris – August 27, 1928

General Pact for the Renunciation of War HEARINGS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS UNITED STATES SENATE SEVENTIETH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION ON THE GENERAL PACT FOR THE RENUNCIATION FO WAR,…
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58 minute read

The Kellogg-Briand Pact – Further Correspondence with Government of the United States Respecting the United States Proposal for the Renunciation of War – 1928

United States No. 2 1928 FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES respecting the United States Proposal for the Renunciation of War [In continuation of Cmd. 3109] Presented…
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17 minute read

The Kellogg-Briand Pact – 1928

Treaty between the United States and other Powers providing for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy. Signed at Paris, August 27, 1928; ratification advised by the…
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6 minute read

Geneva Convention 1972 – Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction – 26 March 1975

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 26 March 1975 The States Parties to this Convention, Determine to act with a view to achieving effective progress toward general and complete disarmament, including the prohibition…
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7 minute read

Geneva Convention IV – 1949 – Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War – August 12, 1949

The undersigned Plenipotentiaries of the Governments represented at the Diplomatic Conference held at Geneva from 21 April to 12 August 1949, for the purpose of establishing a Convention for the…
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84 minute read

Geneva Convention III – 1949 – Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War – August 12, 1949

Entry into Force: 21 October 1950 The undersigned Plenipotentiaries of the Governments represented at the Diplomatic Conference held at Geneva from April 21 to August 12, 1949, for the purpose…
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92 minute read

Geneva Convention II – 1949 – Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea – August 12, 1949

Entry into Force: 21 October 1950 The undersigned Plenipotentiaries of the Governments represented at the Diplomatic Conference held at Geneva from April 21 to August 12, 1949, for the purpose…
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27 minute read

Geneva Convention I – 1949 – Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field – August 12, 1949

Entry Into Force: 21 October 1950. The undersigned Plenipotentiaries of the Governments represented at the Diplomatic Conference held at Geneva from 21 April to 12 August 1949, for the purpose…
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34 minute read

Geneva Convention 1929 – Convention Between the United States of America and Other Powers, Relating to Prisoners of War – July 27, 1929

[NOTE – Convention between the United States of America and other powers, relating to prisoners of war. Signed at Geneva, July 27, 1929; ratification advised by the Senate, January 7,…
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41 minute read

Geneva Convention 1928 – Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating Gas, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare – 8 February 1928

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 8 February 1928 The undersigned Plenipotentiaries, in the name of their respective governments: Whereas the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and of all…
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2 minute read

Hague XIII – 1907 – Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers in Naval War – October 18, 1907

XIII CONVENTION CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF NEUTRAL POWERS IN NAVAL WAR With a view to harmonizing the divergent views which, in the event of naval war, are still…
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10 minute read

Hague XI – 1907 – Restrictions With Regard to the Exercise of the Right of Capture in Naval War – October 18, 1907

XI CONVENTION RELATIVE TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE EXERCISE OF THE RIGHT OF CAPTURE IN NAVAL WAR Recognizing the necessity of more effectively ensuring than hitherto the equitable…
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5 minute read
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