Legal Definitions - peace treaty

A peace treaty is an agreement between two or more countries or sovereigns to end a war. It is a formal document that is signed, ratified, or adhered to by the parties involved. The treaty is governed by international law and can be called by different names such as accord, convention, covenant, declaration, or pact.

For example, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 to end World War I. It was signed by Germany and the Allied Powers, which included the United States, Great Britain, France, and Italy. The treaty imposed heavy penalties on Germany, including the loss of territory, military restrictions, and reparations.

Another example is the Camp David Accords, which were signed in 1978 between Israel and Egypt. The treaty was brokered by the United States and led to the normalization of relations between the two countries.

Peace treaties can also include other types of agreements, such as treaties of alliance, treaties of neutrality, and treaties of guarantee. These agreements establish mutual obligations between the parties involved, such as coming to each other's aid in the event of an attack or refraining from engaging in aggressive actions against each other.