1917 Nobel Peace Prize
Reason for Award
for the efforts to take care of wounded soldiers and prisoners of war and their families
Laureates
World
Explanation
When a war breaks out, many people get hurt and suffer. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) helps wounded soldiers and prisoners, no matter which side they are on. It also carries letters so families know where their loved ones are and can feel connected again. Because this caring work is so important for people everywhere, the ICRC received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Related Keywords
Red Cross Movement
The Red Cross Movement consists of three components: the ICRC, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and their International Federation. Its hallmarks are humanity—protecting lives without discrimination—and neutrality—keeping distance from parties to conflict. The Movement carries out medical aid, disaster relief, and family-reunion work in 192 countries, earning global trust. The 1917 Peace Prize awarded to the ICRC symbolizes the ethical foundation of the entire Movement.
Geneva Conventions
The Geneva Conventions are a series of international treaties protecting war victims. Originating in 1864, they were revised in 1906 and applied on a large scale during World War I. The Conventions lay down rules for the treatment of the wounded, POWs, and civilians, and codify the inviolability of medical facilities marked with the Red Cross emblem. Acting as the ‘protecting power,’ the ICRC supervises compliance and submits recommendations to governments. Its 1917 award reflected how this practical monitoring gave teeth to international law.
International Humanitarian Law
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is the legal framework that safeguards human dignity during armed conflict, centered on the Geneva and Hague treaties. It rests on two pillars: limiting means and methods of warfare and protecting non-combatants. The ICRC, as the official guardian, presses parties to respect IHL and documents violations in the field. The resulting data inform treaty-strengthening negotiations and academic research. The 1917 prize demonstrated that IHL is not mere rhetoric but can be applied on the ground.
Prisoners of War
Prisoners of War (POWs) are combatants captured by the enemy. While POWs must be protected from divulging military information, they also have rights to humane treatment and freedom from forced labor. The ICRC inspects camps and assesses food, medical care, and communication facilities. Between 1914 and 1918 it visited roughly 800 camps and issued recommendations for better conditions. This model has been replicated in every international conflict since.
Neutrality
Neutrality is the principle that the Red Cross will not take sides in political, religious, or military disputes. This allows the ICRC to cross front lines and aid the wounded on both sides. Maintaining neutrality requires consistent behavior in the field. The 1917 award publicly validated the humanitarian access made possible by strict neutrality.
Battlefield Medical Care
Battlefield medical care covers everything from first aid on the front line to evacuation of the wounded. World War I saw standardized bandages and advances in transfusion techniques. The ICRC distributed Red Cross emblems to field hospitals and ambulances and negotiated safe corridors. These efforts laid the groundwork for today’s international medical units.