Case Quote by Townsend Harris
“In case of war, a treaty would have to be made at the end of the war.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Correspondence of Townsend Harris, 1850s
Treaties are typically negotiated after conflict ends, not before hostilities begin.
In simple terms: Treaties come after war.
Key Takeaway
Plan for peace before war.
Themes
politics
conflict
diplomacy
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- international negotiations
- military strategy
- peace talks
- conflict prevention
Key Concepts
realpolitik
negotiation theory
war ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can enforce agreements before war?
- Can pre‑war treaties be trusted?
A Different Perspective
Treaties after war may be too late to prevent suffering.
![“Everything we did was done in form and with propriety, and the result of our proceedings is the document [the Quebec Resolutions] that has been submitted to the imperial government as well as to this house and which we speak of here as a treaty. And that there may be no doubt about our position in…” quote by Thomas D'Arcy McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd9/thomas-d-arcy-mcgee-58319_accepting_everything-we-did-was-done-in-form-and-w_685637.jpg)
