Hugo Grotius

Hugo Grotius 

• 1583 – 1645 
• Dutch 
• Oldest of 4 children 
• Studied Greek and Roman history, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, law, and religion at the University of Leyden in Leyden, Netherlands 
• Earned a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Orleans in 1 year. 
• 1604 – the Dutch East India Company asked Grotius to briefly explain why they should be able to do business with Portuguese territories in the Indian Ocean. Grotius argued that everyone should be able to use the Ocean regardless of who claimed it. The argument was titled De Jure Praedae, or The Laws of Spoils. It wasn’t published, but found 2.5 centuries later 
• One of his primary beliefs was that the seas should be accessible and usable to everyone. He saw them as a place of commerce. 
• Laid the foundations for international law, based on natural law 
• Believed war’s only purpose was to harm everyone involved 
• Introduced international law as a means of explaining principles to help improve the prospects for peace 
• “On whatever terms peace is made, it must be absolutely kept, from the sacredness of the faith pledged in the engagement, and every thing must be cautiously avoided, not only savoring of treachery, but that may tend to awaken and inflame animosity.” 
• “Grotius’ great aim was to develop, and insist upon, the idea of justice among nations. With that in mind, he hoped that the widest international differences could be met, if not by the parties themselves then by mediators, arbitrators, or international conferences. If the world would only follow Grotius’ rules and principles, war may become less frequent, and less horrible.” 
• Natural law – the basis of natural rights 
• Nature is not an entity itself, but God’s creation 
• “Civilians call a faculty that Right, which every man has to his own... This right comprehends the power, that we have over ourselves, which is called liberty... It likewise comprehends property... Now any thing is unjust, which is repugnant to the nature of society, established among rational creatures. Thus for instance, to deprive another of what belongs to him, merely for one’s own advantage, is repugnant to the law of nature.” 
• Brought together the concepts of natural law and natural law to the Protestant countries of northern Europe 
• Very passionate about knowledge 
• Was considered a child prodigy 
• Most famous work – De Jure Belli ac Pacis (The Law of War and Peace) 

1. Where did Grotius receive his Bachelor of Laws degree? 

2. True or False: Grotius believed in free use of the seas. 

3. True or False: Grotius was not religious. 

4. Nature is not an entity itself, but __________________. 

1. It's because I’m a homebody who doesn’t get out much 

2. God’s creation 

3. The smaller, lesser known gods of the Nigerian Ijbo tribe are.  

4. All the above 

1. Do you think countries should be able to lay claim to seas around them? Why or why not? 

2. Grotius believed that war was not beneficial in any way. Do you agree or disagree with him? Why? 

Key:  

1. University of Orleans 

2. True 

3. False 

4. B