PEACE MOVEMENTS: HY116
Overview of Peace Movements: An International Counter History
Speaker: Dr. Richard Saich
Date: March 2026
Overview Part I: What is Peace?
Humanitarian: Involves directing assistance and support towards improving the lives of individuals or communities, often during war or crisis.
Institutional arrangements and international cooperation: Systems and frameworks established to foster collaboration among states and organizations for maintaining global peace.
Pacifism, religion, and nonviolence: Ideologies that advocate for the avoidance of violence in resolving conflicts, often rooted in various religious beliefs.
Radicalism and socialism: Political ideologies that challenge traditional norms and call for fundamental changes in social and economic structures for peace.
Right-wing advocates: Instances where conservative political movements promote peace, often within a nationalist context.
Feminism and gender: The role women and gender perspectives play in peace movements.
Peace studies, structural violence, and peace history: An academic discipline focusing on the causes of conflict and nonviolent methods to resolve disputes.
Part II: Peace Movements in the 20th Century
World War I and the Interwar Years: Examination of peace movements arising during and following the First World War.
World War II and the “Lessons of Munich”: Analysis of responses to WWII and the concept of appeasement.
Peace Movements in the Atomic Age: Movements responding to the threats of nuclear weapons post-WWII.
Peace movements during the Cold War: Activities focused on preventing nuclear war and promoting peace.
The Vietnam War: Overview of anti-war sentiment and protests in response to U.S. involvement.
1970s-1990s: Overview of significant peace efforts and anti-war movements in these decades.
The Iraq War: Discussion of protests against the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the broader implications for peace.
Part I: What is Peace?
Humanitarianism and the Cultures of Peace
Legacy of the 19th Century:
Growth of Peace Societies after the Napoleonic Wars.
A series of International Peace Congresses initiated in 1843.
Universal Peace Congresses held from 1889-1939, which gathered international peace advocates.
Founding of the Red Cross (1863):
Inspired by Henry Dunant, who was appalled by the treatment of wounded soldiers at the Battle of Solferino.
Formation of the Red Crescent (1875): Similar mission as the Red Cross, specifically in Islamic contexts.
Work of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole during the Crimean War: Highlighted innovations in nursing and care that contributed to humanitarian efforts.
Peace culture:
Bertha von Suttner’s novel Lay Down Your Arms! published in 1889 emphasizing disarmament.
Establishment of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 to recognize efforts toward global peace.
Key Treaties and Agreements
Congress of Vienna (1814-1815):
Collaboration among European powers aimed at restoring peace after the Napoleonic Wars.
Hague Peace Congresses (1899, 1907):
International meetings to promote peace through negotiations and disarmament.
Locarno Treaty (1925):
An agreement among Germany, Britain, France, Belgium, and Italy to renounce war except in self-defense. This aimed to protect European borders.
Kellog-Briand Pact (1928):
Signed by 62 nations, renouncing war as a means to resolve disputes, aiming to reinforce collective security through peaceful means.
Japan’s “Peace Constitution” (1947):
Article 9 states that Japan renounces war as a means of settling international disputes, aspiring for a peaceful international order.
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) during the Cold War aimed at capping the number of nuclear weapons possessed by superpowers.
Pacifism, Religion, and Nonviolence
Term “pacifism”: Coined by French activist Émile Arnaud in 1901, establishing a framework for peace advocacy.
Religious traditions supporting pacifism:
Certain radical interpretations of Christianity, Vedic traditions of ahimsa in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
Engaged Buddhism:
Practitioners like B. R. Ambedkar, Thích Nhất Hạnh advocating for peace through active engagement in social issues.
Modern pacifist thinkers and movements:
A rejection of the “Just War” theory within Christianity, espoused by groups such as the Quakers.
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) founded in 1917 to support peace initiatives.
Influence of Henry David Thoreau's concept of “civil disobedience.”
Contributions of Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi, the latter emphasizing Satyagraha, which means “holding fast to the truth.”
Continuity of pacifism from the 1910s-1960s:
Fellowship of Reconciliation (1915) exemplified by its influence on Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders.
Radicalism and Socialism
The Second International (1899):
Initially united workers, collapsed in 1914 as many socialists joined national governments during WWI.
Bolshevik Promise: “Peace, Bread, Land” focused on withdrawing Russia from WWI, appealing to war-weary compatriots.
Rosa Luxembourg: Advocated for internationalism where the socialist movement should take precedence over nationalism.
Randolph Bourne: Critiqued U.S. entry into WWI, supporting the idea of peace without victory.
Claudia Jones: Argued post-WWII that war served as a tool of capitalism and oppression, coining the slogan “No War But Class War.”
Right-wing Peace Movements
Isolationism: Prominent in the U.S. during WWI and WWII, advocating non-interventionist policies.
Free trade proponents: Supported “capitalist peace” theories in the post-WWII era, negotiating peace through economic interdependence.
Alt-right nationalists and MAGA supporters (2016-present): Some advocated for non-interventionist policies, exemplified by figures like Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson.
Donald Trump’s Statements: Promised peace and stability in various public statements, juxtaposing war with his foreign policy proposals, such as plans regarding Greenland and actions in the Middle East.
Feminism and Gender in Peace Movements
Feminist peace groups:
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF, founded 1915)
Women Strike for Peace (1961)
Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp (1981)
Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament (WAND, founded 1982)
Exploration of gender and war:
Examination of sexual violence during conflicts, citizenship issues, and how masculinity has been mobilized to advance militaristic agendas.
Expressions of women's roles as significant historical actors and participants in wartime.
Discussions around intersectional theories assessing multiple identities and systemic violence.
Peace Studies, Structural Violence, and Peace History
Peace Studies (1930s onwards):
Focuses on understanding war causes and resolving disputes non-violently.
Aims at prevention, de-escalation, and conflict resolution, diverging from traditional realpolitik approaches to international relations.
Distinction between “negative peace” (absence of violence) and “positive peace” (social justice and equity beyond merely reducing violence).
Johan Galtung: Coined the term “structural violence,” illustrating how societal structures can harm individuals indirectly.
Historians of peace:
Scholars in the early 1930s began documenting peace movements.
Landmark conventions such as the American Historical Association's session in December 1964 focusing on peace research and historiography.
Evolution into the Peace History Society established in 1994.
Part II: Peace Movements in the Twentieth Century
WWI and the Interwar Years
The Peace Pledge Union: A declaration stating, "War is a crime against humanity. I renounce war, and am therefore determined not to support any kind of war. I am also determined to work for the removal of all causes of war."
WWII and the “Lessons of Munich”
Neville Chamberlain: Quoted: "My good friends: this is the second time in our history that there has come back from Germany to Downing Street peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time."
Gandhi: Believes in the justification of stopping persecution but ultimately rejects the notion of war altogether.
Harry Truman: Cautions that "Appeasement leads only to further aggression and ultimately to war.”
The Atomic Age
In Japan: Impact of nuclear bombings on survivors (hibakusha) and formations like Gensuikin undo focused on anti-nuclear activism post-war.
Bikini incident (1954): Fallout from nuclear tests affecting local populations and gaining attention worldwide.
Gensuikyō (1955): Established to advocate against A and H bombs in Japan.
In the UK: Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament established in 1957, noted events like the Aldermaston March in 1958.
In the US: The National Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy (SANE) formed in 1957, with Women Strike for Peace emerging in 1961 as prominent anti-nuclear movements.
The Cold War
C. Wright Mills: Critiqued the common sense of political thought, denoted as “crackpot realism.”
World Peace Congress (1949): Gathering for peace advocates to discuss nuclear disarmament and coexistence.
March 1950 Stockholm Appeal: A significant petition advocating for the abolition of nuclear weapons,
Khrushchev: Promoted the idea of “peaceful coexistence” during the Cold War between the East and West.
The Vietnam War
U.S. Movement: Organized protests through teach-ins, burnings of draft cards, public demonstrations, and a veterans' GI movement.
Methodologies employed: Direct actions were taken alongside legislative efforts. The Weatherman group adopted violent tactics.
Opposition extended globally: Highlighting protest networks outside the United States.
Nixon: Utilized peace rhetoric while expanding military strategies, coining the phrase “Peace with honor.”
1970s-1990s
Arms limitations and détente: Coverage of SALT I (1972) agreements aimed at reducing nuclear arsenals.
1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan: Shifted geopolitical dynamics.
“Euromissiles” crisis: Highlighting tensions in Europe due to missile deployment.
Nuclear Freeze campaign: Advocated stopping the arms race, initiated by Randall Forsberg’s call in 1980.
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament: Significant increases in membership during this period.
End of the Cold War: Involvement in conflicts like the Gulf War (1990-1991) raised humanitarian concerns.
Rwandan genocide (1994): A critical moment for intervention debates.
NATO bombing in the Kosovo War: Marked a shift in intervention approaches in 1999.
The Iraq War
Protests on 15 February 2003: Over ten million participants in an antiwar demonstration across hundreds of cities, marking the largest single day of anti-war protests in history.
Antiwar groups: Included organizations like the Stop the War Coalition in the UK and Not in Our Name in the US.
Influences: Discussion on short-term versus long-term influences of these movements on public policy and perceptions towards war and peace.
Overview of Peace Movements: An International Counter History
Speaker: Dr. Richard Saich
Date: March 2026
Overview Part I: What is Peace?
Humanitarian: Involves directing assistance and support towards improving the lives of individuals or communities, particularly during war or crisis, emphasizing a moral obligation to aid suffering populations.
Institutional arrangements and international cooperation: Systems and frameworks established to foster collaboration among states and organizations, such as the United Nations, aimed at promoting global peace and resolving conflicts through dialogue and negotiation.
Pacifism, religion, and nonviolence: Ideologies advocating for the avoidance of violence in resolving conflicts, often rooted in various religious beliefs, including Christianity, Buddhism, and Jainism, emphasizing compassion and understanding.
Radicalism and socialism: Political ideologies that challenge traditional norms, advocating for fundamental changes in economic and social structures to create an equitable and peaceful society, often through collective action and revolution.
Right-wing advocates: Instances where conservative political movements promote peace, typically within a nationalist context, advocating for peace through strong national defense and opposition to perceived external threats.
Feminism and gender: Exploring the crucial role women have played in peace movements, highlighting how gender perspectives influence peacebuilding and conflict resolution processes.
Peace studies, structural violence, and peace history: An academic discipline that examines the causes of conflict and the methods of nonviolent resolution, critical for understanding the broader historical contexts that shape today's peace initiatives.
Part II: Peace Movements in the 20th Century
World War I and the Interwar Years: Examination of the emergence of peace movements during WWI, including the establishment of organizations like the Peace Pledge Union, and their evolution into the interwar years as a response to the horrors of war.
World War II and the “Lessons of Munich”: Analysis of peace movements catalyzed by WWII, addressing concepts of appeasement and the philosophical underpinnings of conflict, illustrated by the failings of pre-war diplomacy.
Peace Movements in the Atomic Age: Response to the threats of nuclear weapons and the moral implications of their use, with grassroots campaigns advocating for disarmament post-WWII, such as the Pugwash Conferences.
Peace movements during the Cold War: Focus on preventing nuclear war, documented by major peace demonstrations and the formation of influential organizations like the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) promoting disarmament.
The Vietnam War: A significant flashpoint for anti-war sentiment, with extensive protests that reshaped public opinion and influenced U.S. policy, including the involvement of students, veterans, and various civil rights groups.
1970s-1990s: Coverage of significant peace initiatives, including nuclear freeze campaigns, the broader anti-war movements, and the impacts of these actions on policy and societal attitudes toward military engagement.
The Iraq War: Overview of the protests against the U.S. invasion, highlighting extensive public mobilization and the emergence of new anti-war coalitions, shaping a contemporary understanding of peace and war in the 21st century.
Part I: What is Peace?
Humanitarianism and the Cultures of Peace
Legacy of the 19th Century:
Growth of Peace Societies following the Napoleonic Wars, advocating for disarmament and conflict resolution.
A series of International Peace Congresses initiated in 1843, establishing forums for discourse among peace advocates.
Universal Peace Congresses held from 1889 to 1939, gathering diverse international figures focused on the promotion of peace.
Founding of the Red Cross (1863):
Inspired by Henry Dunant, who witnessed the atrocities of war and aimed to improve the conditions for wounded soldiers.
Formation of the Red Crescent (1875):
Established to replicate the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross within Islamic contexts, providing medical assistance in war zones.
Work of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole during the Crimean War:
Highlighted the transformative power of nursing and healthcare in war, laying groundwork for modern humanitarian practices.
Peace culture:
Bertha von Suttner’s novel Lay Down Your Arms! published in 1889, which emphasized disarmament and influenced public opinion.
The establishment of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 recognized and incentivized efforts geared towards achieving global peace.
Key Treaties and Agreements
Congress of Vienna (1814-1815):
A significant diplomatic meeting aimed at restructuring Europe post-Napoleonic Wars, focusing on maintaining peace through balanced power dynamics among nations.
Hague Peace Congresses (1899, 1907):
International gatherings that aimed to promote peace through diplomatic negotiations and arms reduction agreements, paving the way for modern international law.
Locarno Treaty (1925):
An agreement that sought to secure European borders and prevent future conflicts through mutual guarantees among major powers.
Kellog-Briand Pact (1928):
An international agreement signed by 62 nations, repudiating war as a method for resolving disputes, aiming to establish a more secure world order.
Japan’s “Peace Constitution” (1947):
Article 9 explicitly renounces war and military aggression as a tool for resolving conflicts, reflecting Japan's commitment to peace in the post-war era.
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I):
A critical Cold War agreement aimed at capping the number of nuclear weapons, representing a pivotal moment in arms control history.
Pacifism, Religion, and Nonviolence
Term “pacifism”:
Coined by French activist Émile Arnaud in 1901, establishing a framework for advocacy against war and violence.
Religious traditions supporting pacifism:
Encompasses certain radical interpretations of Christianity, Hinduism's concept of ahimsa, and the teachings of Buddhism, promoting peace and non-harm.
Engaged Buddhism:
Advocates like B. R. Ambedkar and Thích Nhất Hạnh promote social engagement through peaceful activism, focusing on combatting injustice while adhering to nonviolent principles.
Modern pacifist thinkers and movements:
Movements rejecting “Just War” theories, including organizations like the Quakers and American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), founded to support peace initiatives during wartime.
Influences from figures such as Henry David Thoreau advocating civil disobedience as a moral stance against injustice.
Contributions of Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi, who emphasized Satyagraha, or the pursuit of truth through peaceful means.
Continuity of pacifism from the 1910s-1960s:
Notable organizations like the Fellowship of Reconciliation (1915) that significantly influenced figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement.
Radicalism and Socialism
The Second International (1899):
Initially united socialist movements across nations, but fragmented during WWI as many aligned with national governments.
Bolshevik Promise:
“Peace, Bread, Land” underscored the promise of withdrawing Russia from the war, capturing the sentiments of a war-weary populace.
Rosa Luxembourg:
Advocated for an internationalist perspective within the socialist movement, emphasizing the need to prioritize class struggle over national loyalties.
Randolph Bourne:
Critiqued U.S. engagement in WWI, promoting peace through the idea of civil cooperation rather than militaristic victory.
Claudia Jones:
Argued post-WWII that war served as an instrument of capitalism, promoting the slogan “No War But Class War” to reflect social inequities driven by warfare.
Right-wing Peace Movements
Isolationism:
Predominant in the U.S. during both world wars, advocating for policies that prevent intervention in foreign conflicts.
Free trade proponents:
Support for “capitalist peace” theories in the post-WWII era underscored the belief that economic interdependence could foster international harmony.
Alt-right nationalists and MAGA supporters (2016-present):
Advocating for isolationist policies, focusing on national sovereignty while resisting foreign military entanglements.
Donald Trump’s Statements:
He emphasized peace and stability while contrasting it with military interventionism, shaping a unique narrative in his foreign policy proposals, particularly regarding relations in the Middle East and with NATO.
Feminism and Gender in Peace Movements
Feminist peace groups:
Organizations such as the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF, founded 1915) have driven significant peace initiatives alongside grassroots activism.
Women Strike for Peace (1961) highlighted the role of women in advocating against nuclear armament.
The Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp (1981) became symbolic of women's resistance to military bases and nuclear weapons in the UK.
Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament (WAND, founded 1982) focused on anti-nuclear advocacy through a feminist lens.
Exploration of gender and war:
Addressing issues such as sexual violence in conflicts and the roles women play in building peace, shedding light on citizenship issues and broader systemic violence.
Engaging with intersectionality to analyze how various identities influence experiences of war and peace.
Peace Studies, Structural Violence, and Peace History
Peace Studies (1930s onwards):
Academic focus on understanding the roots of war and advocating for nonviolent conflict resolution strategies.
Emphasis on preventing conflict through de-escalation efforts and collaboration, diverging from traditional power politics approaches.
Distinct differentiation between “negative peace” (merely the absence of violence) and “positive peace” (actively promoting social justice and equity).
Johan Galtung:
Coined the term “structural violence,” elucidating how social structures can perpetrate harm without direct conflict, enriching the discourse on peace studies.
Historians of peace:
Scholarly efforts from the early 1930s documenting peace movements, culminating in the emergence of the Peace History Society in 1994 that promotes historical scholarship on peace initiatives.