The First Peace Societies
Cortright, David. 2008. Chapter. In Peace: A History of Movements and Ideas, 25-44. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Cortright undertakes a historical analysis of the creation of Peace organisations from the eighteenth century through to the early twentieth century, predominantly in Europe and the USA. He begins by investigating the rationalist philosophy of Kant and the impact this held on the development of peace studies, before moving onto religious organisations, and political agendas. There is a focus on war, in relation to political ideas of peace, as well as a strong description of the work of Elihu Burritt, a blacksmith in America who dedicated his life to peace, alongside the Hague Peace conference. Overall, Cortright provides a detailed description of early peace movements in Europe and the United States, leading up to the First World War.
Available at: https://www-cambridge-org.ezproxy.st-andrews.ac.uk/core/books/peace/D42DA36BCD62DA791201ED026B05F8B8