GENEVA CONVENTION

HISTORY
• 1859
• Henry Dunant
Swiss citizen
witnessed the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino
was horrified by the sight of thousands of
wounded soldiers lying helpless and abandoned
This experience led him to suggest the setting up of voluntary
relief societies who could be trained, during peacetime,
to care for the wounded in time of war.
called for an international agreement to protect the wounded,

• 1863
• Henri Dunant arranged an unofficial international conference
at which it was agreed that each country should form a
relief organisation capable of assisting the
Army Medical Services in wartime.

The treaty was called the Geneva Convention.

This Convention was concerned only with soldiers wounded on the
Battlefield. However, it has been expanded to cover everyone caught up in
conflicts but not actually taking an active part in the fighting.
GENEVA CONVENTION
DEFINITION
 The Geneva Conventions are a
series of treaties on the treatment of
civilians, prisoners of war (POWs)
and soldiers who are otherwise
rendered hors de combat, or
incapable of fighting.

- comprise four treaties, and three

additional protocols
 The singular term Geneva
Convention usually denotes the
agreements of 1949, negotiated in
the aftermath of the Second World
War (1939–45).
 The Geneva Conventions
extensively defined the basic rights
of wartime prisoners (civilians and
military); established protections for
the wounded; and established
protections for the civilians in and
around a war-zone.
 Moreover, the Geneva
Convention also defines the rights and
protections afforded to non-
combatants, yet, because the Geneva
Conventions are about people in war,
the articles do not address warfare
proper—the use of weapons of war
and the bio-chemical warfare.
GENEVA CONVENTION
CONVENTIONS
 Geneva Conventions of 1949

• Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the

Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in
the Field, of 12 August 1949

• Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the

Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members
of Armed Forces at Sea, of 12 August 1949

• Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of

Prisoners of War, of 12 August 1949

• Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian

Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949
GENEVA CONVENTION
PROTOCOL
 Geneva Protocols of 1977

• Protocol relating to the Protection of Victims

of International Armed Conflicts

• Protocol relating to the Protection of Victims

of Non-International Armed Conflicts

• Protocol relating to the Adoption of an

Additional Distinctive Emblem
GENEVA CONVENTION
PEARL HARBOR BOMBING
 HIROSHIMA – REVENGE?

The aims and purposes of the bombing of

Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the U.S. can be seen in
many ways. Some view this event as America seeking
revenge for the attack on Pearl Harbor while others
believe that America conducted the attack for other
reasons, such as to end the war quickly and preserve
lives.
 HIROSHIMA – REVENGE?

During American history lessons a link is drawn

between Pearl Harbor and the bombing of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki. This link demonstrates that the U.S.
bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki was a result of
Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor and that the
atomic bomb would not have been dropped if not of
the attack on Pearl Harbor.
 HIROSHIMA – REVENGE?

This being taught in American schools further

demonstrates the link between Pearl Harbor and
Hiroshima and Nagasaki as being for revenge.
 HIROSHIMA – REVENGE?

Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor was

embarrassing for the Americans as it undermined
their powerful military status. Japan being so able to
bomb one of America’s main naval bases with ease
damaged the U.S.’s reputation. The anger that could
have come out of this event might have been
enough for revenge plan as bad as it was. The
embarrassment followed by the attack on Pearl
Harbor could have resulted in revenge.
 HIROSHIMA – REVENGE?

The American declaration of war as a result of

Pearl Harbor demonstrates their desire to use the war
to seek revenge on Japan. The Americans declared
war on the 8th of December 1941, a day after the
attack on Pearl Harbor implying that joining the war
was for revenge. This shows that the Americans joined
the war for revenge rather than to stop Japan from
gaining power in the pacific.
 HIROSHIMA – REVENGE?

The fact that the Americans didn’t join the

war before the attack on Pearl Harbor shows that
they didn’t think Japan was a big enough threat to
demand America’s involvement.
 HIROSHIMA – REVENGE?

Despite the justifications made by President

Truman, the main aim on the attack Hiroshima and
Nagasaki was revenge. This is demonstrated though
the mainly civilian casualties, the connection of these
two events taught in history, the embarrassment
cause by Pearl Harbor, the declaration of war as a
result of Pearl Harbor and the total disregard for the
Geneva Conventions.
 IN RELATION TO JAPAN

The American attack on Hiroshima was an

attack on Japanese society rather than their military.
The Geneva Conventions of 1929 state that during a
war you should not attack civilians. The Americans
clearly disregarded this as Hiroshima is a city and
hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed as a
result of the American atomic bomb.
 IN RELATION TO JAPAN

By attacking Japan’s civilian population

instead of its military capabilities, America’s main
aim was revenge rather than to weaken Japan in
the war.
 IN RELATION TO JAPAN

The Geneva Conventions also state that equal

force should be used in a war so that no unnecessary
suffering occurs. The strength of the atomic bomb on
the city of Hiroshima was far more aggressive than
the attack on Pearl Harbor. The atomic bomb was
much greater power than what was necessary to
destroy their factories, which produced weaponry,
which was the stated aim of the attack on Hiroshima.
 IN RELATION TO JAPAN

The force and targets of America’s attack show

more signs of revenge than of military actions as they
have completely ignored the principles of the
Geneva Conventions. As a result of the bombing of
Hiroshima and WWII itself the Geneva Conventions
were further developed because of the disregard
shown for the rules regarding the conduct of
hostilities.
COUNTRIES THAT DID NOT SIGN THE
1929 GENEVA CONVENTION

• Japan - though in 1942 did

promise to abide by its terms