{"id":7662,"date":"2026-05-02T11:05:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T09:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/academy.grainesdepaix.org\/ressources\/historical-evolution-of-the-word-peace\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T15:51:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T13:51:44","slug":"historical-evolution-of-the-word-peace","status":"publish","type":"ressource","link":"https:\/\/academy.grainesdepaix.org\/en\/ressources\/historical-evolution-of-the-word-peace\/","title":{"rendered":"Historical evolution of the word peace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From &#8220;negative peace&#8221; to &#8220;positive peace&#8221; in peace agreements and peace theories<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The following text cites a number of significant peace agreements, marking a gradual evolution in the understanding of the word peace: from the temporary absence of war (truce), which today is defined as &#8220;negative peace&#8221; because the word &#8220;peace&#8221; is then defined by what it is not, to the consolidation of peace between populations, based on the notion of &#8220;positive peace&#8221;, i.e. a peace dynamic founded on a culture of peace that promotes living together well. Positive peace is defined by what it is and by what it brings. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In ancient times<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Periods of calm between 2 wars, fixed by treaty in a still highly militarized environment, and often accompanied by matrimonial arrangements.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2400 BC: 1st (known) peace treaty: Treaty of brotherhood to reach agreement between adversaries in Mesopotamia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2350 BC: 1st known written peace treaty: between 2 Syrian cities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2000 to 1000 BC: Periods of calm between multiple wars, great diplomatic activity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1275 BC: Peace treaty to stabilize a border between Ramses II (defeated Egypt) and the Hittites.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Between 500 BC and 500 AD<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Attempts to end wars<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Between 500 and 850<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Period of expansion of the notion of peace to include benefits beyond the cessation of war<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Between 850 and 1528<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A period when peace treaties are limited to mutual recognition of territories and sovereignties.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Between 1529 and 1945<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Period when peace agreements include reciprocal agreements and alliances, as well as demilitarization measures.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Post 1945 to present<\/h3>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Europe and Japan become more peaceful.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weapons are increasingly devastating.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mercantile interests favor wars over natural resources and reconstruction contracts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wars are also fought by militias, paramilitaries and isolated groups, and not just between armies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Post 1990 to date<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Peace agreements are increasingly aimed at living together, and if possible, living well together, given the mixed identities, cultures, religions and\/or politics of the regions in conflict (Ireland, the Middle East, the Philippines, Algeria, South Africa, Rwanda, other countries in Africa and elsewhere, etc.).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Peace promotion and peacebuilding activities are increasing significantly, with a focus that goes beyond stopping wars and towards a positive peace built on cooperation, development and acceptance of others.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusions on peace agreements through the ages :<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The vast majority of peace agreements are negative peace agreements.<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(limited to the absence of war and military respect for borders).<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Some peace agreements are examples of positive peace<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those who realize the aspirations of human understanding:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mutual respect for people&#8217;s lives, physical integrity, vital needs, cultural identities and spiritual choices<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Agreement, harmony, concord, happiness (mutual)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cooperation, mutual aid<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Freedom of enterprise, freedom of movement, freedom to trade, freedom of expression&#8230;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mutual respect for each other&#8217;s political territory and private property.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Examples:<\/strong><br\/>&#8211; the very first Treaty of Brotherhood (2400 BC) in Sumer<br\/>&#8211; the Treaty of Peace between Tibet and China (822), which aims to make people happy<br\/>&#8211; the Treaty of Versailles (1919), which heralds the creation of the League of Nations<br\/>&#8211; the Treaty of St Germain (1919), which concretizes the aspirations of some to be free nations.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Some agreements include elements of positive peace<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those that provide mutual guarantees of practical benefits, such as :<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>personal safety<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>religious freedom<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the free movement of people and goods<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>protection of goods, &#8230;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Examples:<\/strong><br\/>&#8211; the Treaty of Perpetual Peace (587) between 2 kings of pre-French territories<br\/>&#8211; the Treaty of St. Julien between Genevois and Savoyards (1603). <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From &#8220;negative peace&#8221; to &#8220;positive peace&#8221; in peace agreements and peace theories The following text cites a number of significant [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","tags":[],"ressources-theme":[],"category-ressources":[282],"class_list":["post-7662","ressource","type-ressource","status-publish","hentry","category-ressources-peace"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Historical evolution of the word peace - Academy Fondation Graines de Paix<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/academy.grainesdepaix.org\/en\/ressources\/historical-evolution-of-the-word-peace\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Historical evolution of the word peace - Academy Fondation Graines de Paix\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From &#8220;negative peace&#8221; 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