|
The concept of charity began to appear has been present in some form throughout human history, yet the modern concept of humanitarian aid only truly emerged in the 20th century. this involved a complex progression of world events beginning with World War I and the war crimes launched by the Central Powers. It was in the 20th century that we begin to see major international efforts, essentially founding international humanitarianism and the United States was at the heart of this effort. There is no precise accounting, but America saved tens of millions lives. The total could have easily approached 100 million lives saved. America's status as a neutral until 1917 was a factor in ability to play a role in humanitarian efforts. There were four major efforts that came out of the tragedy of World War I: 1) Belgian famine relief, 2) Near East Relief, 3) European famine relief, and 4) the Jewish Joint. These efforts were necessary because of brutal German and Ottoman policies. The German policies were brutal, but nothing like the unimaginable NAZI atrocities of World War. The Ottoman Empire launched the Armenian Genocide. The Young Turks who founded the modern Turkish state. Other countries were involved, but the United States was the major country in all four of these efforts. The United States did much of its relief efforts through the Red Cross, because of the agency's extensive intentional contacts. This changed with the advent of World War II, The United States did not not rely on the Red Cross for humanitarian relief as it did in World War I, but used the Red Cross primarily to aid servicemen. Today a wide variety of organizations and actors are engaged in humanitarian aid. After the War there has been a proliferation of international groups addressing a wide range of international needs.
The concept of charity began to appear has been present in some form throughout human history, yet the modern concept of humanitarian aid only truly emerged in the 20th century. this involved a complex progression of world events beginning with World War I and the war crimes launched by the Central Powers. It was in the 20th century that we begin to see major international efforts, essentially founding international humanitarianism and the United States was at the heart of this effort. There is no precise accounting, but America saved tens of millions lives. The total could have easily approached 100 million lives saved. America's status as a neutral until 1917 was a factor in ability to play a role in humanitarian efforts. There were four major efforts that came out of the tragedy of World War I: 1) Belgian famine relief, 2) Near East Relief, 3) European famine relief, and 4) the Jewish Joint. These efforts were necessary because of brutal German and Ottoman policies. The German policies were brutal, but nothing like the unimaginable NAZI atrocities of World War. The Ottoman Empire launched the Armenian Genocide. The Young Turks who founded the modern Turkish state. Other countries were involved, but the United States was the major country in all four of these efforts. The United States did much of its relief efforts through the Red Cross, because of the agency's extensive intentional contacts.
The Treaty of Versailles established the League of Nations. It proved to be a complete and total failure. There were many reasons for this. The Unitd States refused toeven ratify the Versailles Treaty because the League was opposed to it. The Communists devoted to the destructiion of the world order seized power in Russia. Then with the rise of Fascism, imoprtant countrues, including Italy and eventually Germany also joined the Soviet Union in oppositiion to the world order. Japan was a case study of its own, but adopted many Fascist-like policies. Japan dramtically walked out of the League after invading Manchuria (1931). Britain put their faith in the League and based their foreuign policy and military policy on the League. Pacifist sentiment prevailed in the democracies. Ironically, socialist policies in the democracies opposed military power, while the Soviet Uniin, the only socialist state, spent lacisly on the military. The British Government and public continued to have faith in the League even after Hitler seized power and joined the Soviet Union and Japana in puursuing massive rearamanent efforts (1933). As a result the world ballance of military power shifted from ehe democracies to the totalitarian powers, especially as the United States continued a policy of Isolationism and refused to allocate significant funding for the military. The public in the democracies were so traumatized by the War that they hesitated to act to preserve the world order. But for what ever reason, the League failed and the result was World War II.
This changed with the advent of World War II, The United States did not not rely on the Red Cross for humanitarian relief as it did in World War I, but used the Red Cross primarily to aid servicemen. President Roosevelt began using the term United Nations during the War. Several new agencies were created which largely vehicles for devivering American aid. The most imprtant was UNRAA. Franklin Roosevelt had been the Democratic Candidate for Vice-President after World War I (1920). He strongly believed in the Wilsonian legacy, but even after becoming president (1933) refused to assocuate himself with the League for political reasons. But with the advent of World War, recreating the League as the United Nations became a primary American war goal becuse the President so believed in it. The United Natiions was formally founded at an international Conference in San Francisco (September 1945). After President Roosevelt's untimely death (1945), Mrs Roosevent became an ardent supporter of the United Nations. And from an early point , humanitarian aid became a major activity pursued by the United Nations.
The United Nations expanded on UNRRA and created a dizzing proliferation of agencies to deal with humanitarian crises. And we begin to see the growth of a range of new non-governmental organizations (NGOs). NGOs existed before World War II, but it is after the War that they become a impotyant phnomenon. And again, America was at the center of their creation. It is also imprtant to note that that Christianity or secular in Christian nations was where these NGOs were created. Now Communist and Islamic countries provided aid of various kkinds, but thisas rarely humanitarian aid. With the Communists it was primarily military aid. A frare exceptionb swasIndia. Sobiet aid to Indian eas not humanitarian, but it was economic to help India develop an industril sector. Sovirt aid to Cub might bec seen as humanitarian, needed because Fidel's Communist policies essentially destroyed the economy. Even so, Cuban living standards plmumetted from some of the highest in Latin America to some of the lowest. A
myriad variety of organizations and actors are now engaged in humanitarian aid. As for Islamic countries, there is very little provision of humanitarian aid despite charity being one of the five pillars of Islam. There is charitable giving, but most of it goes to jihadi groups involved in terrirism or to promote the spread of Islam. This despite the large numner of Muslim refugees in desperate need of humanitatian aid. After the War there has been a proliferation of international groups addressing a wide range of international needs. There are many reasons for the huge expansion of NGOs and aid organizations. Imprtant factors has been an increasing need in the de-colonization era, natural and manmade disasters inclidin wars creating refugees, and globelization. One author points to political and governmental interest and funding with differences between as-needed provision as opposed long term, comprehensives developmental strategies. 【Mackintosh】
Mackintosh, K. "The principles of humanitarian action in international humanitarian law," HPG Report 5. (March 2000).
Navigate the Children in History Website:
[Return to the Main American exceptionalism page]
[Return to the Main history of international organizations]
[Return to the Main history page]
[About Us]
[Introduction]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing]
[Disease and Health]
[Economics]
[Environmental issues]
[Feminism]
[Geography]
[History]
[Human Nature]
[Law]
[Nationalism]
[Presidents]
[Religion]
[Royalty]
[Science]
[Social Class]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Index]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Search]
[Tools]
[Children in History Home]
