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Nobel Laureates & Controversies
Theme Overview
When he won the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2009, Barack Obama was not the first U.S. president to do so, nor was the mixed reaction to the Nobel Committee's controversial choice unprecedented.
President Obama addresses the United Nations
(© 2009 Getty Images, Inc.)
In this issue of ProQuest's History Happenings, learn about past winners of the Nobel Peace Prize and the controversies that have surrounded some of the choices the committee has made regarding this prestigious prize.
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Obama Wins the Prize
World Conflicts Today
Most critics and supporters of the Nobel Committee's decision to award U.S. president Barack Obama the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 agreed that Obama was chosen based on his potential and intangible accomplishments rather than on any concrete victories for peace.
Of course, they strongly disagreed as to the appropriateness of such a rationale.
North Korea launches a long-range rocket on April 5, 2009.
(© 2009 AFP)
In our new activity from World Conflicts Today, read about reactions to Obama's win and debate the effectiveness of multilateralism and diplomacy in solving today's foreign policy challenges.
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The Nobel Prize as Peacemaker
ProQuest Historical Newspapers
If, as many suspected, the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize was given to Obama as less an award for past accomplishments and more a tool to further the ultimate goal of world peace, it was not the first time the prize had been used in this way. The Nobel Peace Prize has often served as a peacemaking tool, though it has stirred controversy in each instance.
After Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 and two Nobel committee members resigned in protest, the Norwegian parliament held a debate to determine whether the principles and organization of the committee should be changed.
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER YITZHAK RABIN AND PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT
SEAL THE OSLO ACCORDS WITH A HANDSHAKE
(© 1993 Getty Images, Inc.)
In this ProQuest Historical Newspapers activity, learn about the Nobel Committee's decision in 1973, as well as 1978 and 1994, to award the prize to individuals with violent backgrounds for work on conflicts that were far from resolved.
Then, decide for yourself how the prize winners should be chosen.
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Presidential Peace Prize Winners
History Study Center
In addition to President Barack Obama, three other U.S. presidents have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. These winners include Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Jimmy Carter.
President Roosevelt at the Treaty of Portsmouth
(History Study Center)
Each of these leaders lived in different times, had different temperaments and talents, and faced unique challenges.
In this History Study Center activity, explore the lives and accomplishments of these Nobel Laureates—what they have in common and what distinguishes their contributions to fostering world peace.
Quick Shorts
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King's Critics
SIRS Decades
In 1964, another prominent African American was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.
Martin Luther King, Jr., best known for his leadership in the U.S. civil rights movement, used non-violent protest as a means to promote racial equality.
In this new SIRS Decades activity, learn about King's achievements as a civil rights leader as well as what his critics were saying about him at the time. Also, explore the relevance of the civil rights movement in dealing with today's problems.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
(© Getty Images, Inc.)
In his peace prize presentation speech, Gunnar Jahn, chairman of the Nobel Committee, commented on the significance of King's accomplishments to that point.
Jahn noted:
He is the first person in the Western world to have shown us that a struggle can be waged without violence. He is the first to make the message of brotherly love a reality in the course of his struggle, and he has brought this message to all men, to all nations and races.
But King wasn't without his critics. Some suggested that the actions of King and his followers were inciting violence rather than fostering peace. King was condemned both for being too radical and too moderate. Condemnation came not only from his enemies, but sometimes his friends.
Despite the remarkable accomplishments of Martin Luther King, was any of this criticism justified? What lessons can we learn about social reform from this important civil rights leader?
SNCC staff non-violent sit-in (1963)
(© Magnum Photos)
Activity
- Divide the class up into groups to do some preliminary research and analysis.
- Have each group read through the sources, found in SIRS Decades (see below). The groups should compile a list of King's successes as well as a list of the criticisms leveled against him by his detractors.
"Martin Luther King Jr."
(Biography)
"Montgomery's Patience Praised by Boycott Chief"
(Article)
"Nobel Prize Given Martin Luther King"
(Article)
"Civil Rights and War"
(Article)
"King Denies He Advocated Fusion of Civil Rights, Peace Movements"
(Article)
- Either in groups or as an entire class, discuss the following questions:
- As you look at the list of criticisms you have compiled of King, is there merit to any of the charges leveled by his opponents?
- Would King have been a more effective leader had he paid greater heed to those with whom he disagreed?
- Can you identify any contemporary social movements that are analogous to the civil rights movement?
- What could these groups learn about social reform, either positive or negative, by studying King's life?
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