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War and peace: the evils of the first and a plan for preserving the last is a book written by William Jay and originally published in 1842. The book offers a critical examination of the horrors of war and proposes strategies for maintaining peace. Over the years, the book has been reissued in various editions, reflecting its enduring relevance in discussions on war, ethics, and international relations. Moreover, the initial release is believed to have influenced the Treaty of Paris in 1856, where the signatory nations expressed a preference for using diplomatic means, like the intervention of a friendly nation, before resorting to military action.

Context

William Jay, an influential American jurist and abolitionist, was well-known for his outspoken views on social justice, slavery, and international relations. As the son of John Jay, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the nation's first Chief Justice, William Jay was influenced by the ideals of the American Revolution and the early republic. However, he was also aware of the contradictions between these ideals and the reality of continued warfare and hence made effords to promote international peace and abolitionism.

War and peace: the evils of the first and a plan for preserving the last was written during a period of intense political and social upheaval, both in Europe and the United States. The wars and other national conflicts inspired the author to analyse the underlying motives of the countries to engage in conflict, its pros and cons, as well as look at potential ways the conflicts could have been resolved.

Contents

Several key historical events and concerns shaped the context of the book, such as the Napoleonic Wars, Slavery in the United States, Abolitionism, American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, First Opium War and others.

The author describes the actions that were taken during the above-mentioned historical events as well as their intentions and impact in the historical period. The description of the events reflects the widespread disillusionment with the concept of war as a means of resolving conflicts and the potential resolutions of it in more peaceful manners.

Apart from national and international conflicts' causes and consequences the author also talks about military expenses by different countries and casualties throughout the years. Moreover, some key figures of the period and their quotes are mentioned to show the stance of people on political matters.

The end of the book is dedicated to suggestions for preserving the peace. According to the author, a treaty should be established that would serve as a means for nations to unify and hold the responsibility of maintaining peace in the world. The way to achieve this would be for the nations to follow the example of the United States because as the author states: "The local situation of our Republic, and the nature of her foreign relations, seem to indicate her as the first of the nations of the earth by whom the sword is to be sheathed, to be drawn no more”.

Reception

As the release of the book took place in the mid-XIX century, the precise reception of the book is not known due to a lack of sources. According to David N Gellman who wrote a book about the Jay family, the book was met with a mixed reception. In Britain, it was well-received, with the London Peace Society producing 4,000 copies for the 1842 Conference of the Friends of Peace, indicating strong support and interest. Jay's proposals for international arbitration and peace were seen as forward-thinking and garnered praise, especially among peace advocates. However, the reaction in the United States was notably harsher. The pamphlet faced significant criticism, particularly from pro-Democratic Party circles. The Boston Quarterly Review dismissed Jay’s ideas with scorn, labelling him as out of touch with the realities of the time.

Another author James Brown Scott wrote an article about Mexico and the United States relations and arbitration and mentions that though it is difficult to measure the exact influence of Jay's work, his ideas were seen as prescient and significant. The pamphlet is believed to have contributed to the broader discourse on international arbitration, particularly influencing the principles later adopted in the Treaty of Paris in 1856.

In one journal article "Pioneers of Peace" it was also written that when politicians began to implement the peace movement's agenda into political action, Jay's plan was the one that captured their serious attention, particularly regarding the resolution of future disputes.

It could be said that the reception of William Jay's book War and Peace: The Evils of the First, and a Plan for Preserving the Last was mixed. Jay's proposals were influential, contributing to discussions on international arbitration, and are believed to have influenced principles later adopted in the Treaty of Paris in 1856, though his plan also attracted negative political attention as a serious proposal for resolving future disputes without wars.