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1. Historical Background

The signing of the Geneva Convention in 1864 cannot be fully understood without reference to the political, social, and military circumstances of mid-19th century Europe. The continent was experiencing the rise of nationalism, recurring wars, and transformations in military technology that increased battlefield casualties. Despite advances in weaponry, medical care remained rudimentary, and wounded soldiers were often abandoned or left untreated ^[1].

Source: By Kevin Quinn, Ohio, US - Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=359407

The catalyst for the Convention was Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman who witnessed the devastating aftermath of the Battle of Solferino in 1859 during the Second Italian War of Independence. Shocked by the suffering of thousands of untreated soldiers, Dunant mobilized local civilians to provide aid without discrimination. He later published his influential book Un Souvenir de Solferino (A Memory of Solferino, 1862), in which he called for the establishment of voluntary relief societies and an international treaty guaranteeing neutrality and protection for the wounded and those caring for them ^[2].

In response to Dunant’s appeal, the Geneva Society for Public Welfare established the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded in 1863, which later became the ICRC. This committee organized an international diplomatic conference to codify humanitarian principles, leading to the 1864 Geneva Convention ^[3].

2. Drafting and Signing of the Convention

The diplomatic conference convened in Geneva from 8 to 22 August 1864 under Swiss government sponsorship. Twelve European states—Switzerland, France, Prussia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Norway, and Württemberg—signed the treaty on 22 August ^[4].

The discussions reflected a pioneering spirit: for the first time, sovereign states agreed to place humanitarian principles above military interests in an international treaty. The drafting was strongly influenced by Dunant and the International Committee, but also relied on Switzerland’s tradition of neutrality, which lent credibility to the proposal ^[5].

The signing marked the first multilateral codification of humanitarian rules, and although initially adopted by a limited number of European states, it quickly gained wider recognition and became the cornerstone of humanitarian law ^[6].

3. Key Provisions of the 1864 Convention

The 1864 Geneva Convention contained ten articles, outlining the following major principles:

• Neutrality of Medical Services: Field hospitals, medical staff, and ambulances were to be recognized as neutral and protected, regardless of their nationality.

• Humanitarian Treatment of Wounded Soldiers: Wounded combatants, irrespective of their side, were to be collected and cared for without discrimination.

• Voluntary Aid Societies: Relief organizations recognized by their governments could provide medical services to the wounded, establishing the model for national Red Cross societies.

• Symbol of Protection: A distinctive emblem—a red cross on a white background—was adopted to identify protected medical personnel and facilities.

• State Responsibility: States were obligated to implement these provisions in national legislation and military regulations.

Although brief in text, the treaty was revolutionary, introducing the principle that humanitarian considerations should prevail in war.

4. Establishment of the Red Cross Movement

The Geneva Convention institutionalized the ideas promoted by Henry Dunant and his associates, leading to the foundation of the Red Cross Movement. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), created in 1863, became the guardian and promoter of the Convention.

Following the treaty, national Red Cross societies began to form, providing organized civilian support for military medical services. These societies were recognized as neutral auxiliaries, ensuring continuity of aid during conflicts. The red cross emblem, chosen as a reversal of the Swiss flag in honor of Switzerland’s neutrality, became one of the most widely recognized humanitarian symbols in the world.

5. Impact on Warfare and Humanitarian Law

The 1864 Geneva Convention had far-reaching consequences. Although it applied only to armed conflicts between states, it provided an unprecedented legal framework that elevated the protection of human dignity in war. Its provisions influenced military practice by:

• Encouraging armies to establish organized medical corps.

• Reducing mortality among wounded soldiers by ensuring timely care.

• Legitimizing the work of humanitarian organizations.

The Convention also marked the birth of international humanitarian law (IHL), demonstrating that warfare could be regulated by law, even if imperfectly. Over time, it encouraged further treaties on the treatment of prisoners of war, civilians, and victims of internal conflicts.

6. Revisions and Expansion of the Geneva Conventions

While groundbreaking, the 1864 Convention was limited in scope. It addressed only battlefield wounded and did not regulate naval warfare, prisoners of war, or civilian protection. As conflicts evolved, states recognized the need for revisions:

• 1906 Geneva Convention: Expanded provisions to improve the care of wounded and sick soldiers.

• 1929 Conventions: Added protection for prisoners of war.

• 1949 Geneva Conventions: Four updated treaties covering wounded and sick soldiers, shipwrecked at sea, prisoners of war, and civilians under occupation. These remain the cornerstone of IHL today.

Thus, the 1864 treaty initiated a tradition of progressive development that culminated in a comprehensive humanitarian legal regime.

7. Legacy and Historical Significance

The First Geneva Convention of 1864 holds enduring significance for several reasons:

• Humanitarian Innovation: It introduced the principle that even in armed conflict, humanitarian norms should limit suffering.

• Birth of the ICRC and Red Cross: It institutionalized voluntary humanitarian aid, creating a transnational movement that continues to operate globally.

• Legal Precedent: It served as the first step toward codified IHL, paving the way for subsequent conventions and customary norms.

• Moral Legacy: It reinforced the notion of shared humanity, influencing later developments in human rights and humanitarian action.

Despite its limitations, the treaty was a historic turning point, balancing state sovereignty with humanitarian responsibility.

8. Conclusion

The signing of the Geneva Convention on 22 August 1864 was a landmark in international history. By codifying humanitarian principles into law, it not only improved conditions for wounded soldiers but also laid the foundation for the international humanitarian system. Its legacy endures in the modern Geneva Conventions, the Red Cross Movement, and ongoing global efforts to mitigate the human cost of war.