The period was characterized by the domination of global international relations by European powers. By the same token, world diplomacy took on new meaning, as clashes in various parts of the world led to negotiations and alliances, sometimes including non-European powers as well. International conferences, dominated by the European great powers, periodically tried to resolve disputes in the Balkans, Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere; conference diplomacy on a world scale was another important diplomatic innovation. European negotiations also formulated some new international agreements concerning the conduct of war, international law, and global facilities such as postal service. Finally, the intensification of global relations also included growing international commerce, dominated by Europe and the United States but with growing impact on local economies almost everywhere.
During the second half of the 19th century, not only governments but also private organizations formed a growing number of international arrangements. Most of these centered on pacts among European countries, but North America and to some extent other areas were drawn in.
International commercial exhibit at London's new Crystal Palace, the first of a regular series of international exhibitions stretching into the 20th century. Major subsequent world's fairs, to 1914: Paris, 1855; Philadelphia, 1876; Sydney, 1879–80; New Orleans, 1884; Antwerp, 1885; Paris, 1889; Chicago, 1893; Budapest, 1896; Brussels, 1897; Paris, 1900; St. Louis, 1904.
An informal committee met to prepare rights for neutral parties to aid the wounded during wars. The RED CROSS was created as a voluntary, noncombatant organization to assist the wounded. The International Committee of the Red Cross was established in Geneva. The 1864 GENEVA CONVENTION was drafted to establish rules for the treatment of prisoners of war.
The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, reviving the classical Greek Olympic tradition on a potentially worldwide basis. It was held every four years until World War I, with participation from Europe, North America, and British Dominions.
