"A Vigorous Propaganda": The Peace Conferences of 1899 and 1907, the Peace Palace, and Internationalism through Design at The Hague, 1899–1920

Author

Daniel Pecoraro, CUNY Hunter CollegeFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-3-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

History

First Advisor

Elidor Mëhilli

Second Advisor

Manu Bhagavan

Academic Program Adviser

Jonathan Rosenberg

Abstract

This thesis uncovers the history of the Peace Palace and The Hague’s role in the early days of the internationalist movement. In the process of localizing the early twentieth century history of The Hague, this thesis examines the development of international imagery and culture through design. The Peace Palace as we know it today was ultimately a result of tensions between internationalist ideas (cooperation, arbitration, modernity) and the pride of Old World nationalism. The final design by Louis Cordonnier and J. A. G. Van der Steur repudiates the feeling of modernity surrounding the idea of peace through arbitration. It is only marginally saved by Thomas Mawson’s design for the surrounding Gardens.

Recommended Citation

Pecoraro, Daniel, ""A Vigorous Propaganda": The Peace Conferences of 1899 and 1907, the Peace Palace, and Internationalism through Design at The Hague, 1899–1920" (2017). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/hc_sas_etds/167