Wilder V. Immel '35 World War II Atomic Bomb Protest Scrapbook 2009.55.r

Finding aid prepared by Sarah Ganderup '10

Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries

Chapman University

One University Drive

Orange, CA, 92866

(714) 532 - 7711

rboyd@chapman.edu

02/09/2010

Note

Digital copy of scrapbook available.

Title: Wilder V. Immel '35 World War II Atomic Bomb Protest Scrapbook, 1945-1985

Identifier/Call Number: 2009.55.r

Contributing Institution: Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries

One University Drive

Orange, CA, 92866

(714) 532 - 7711

rboyd@chapman.edu

Language of Material: The majority of the collection is in English

Container: 1

Physical Description: 1.0 Linear feet 1 scrapbook

Date (bulk): Bulk, 1945

Date (inclusive): 1945-1985

Abstract: A scrapbook documenting the protest of the dropping of the nuclear weapons on Japan during World War II by a San Francisco preacher during the war.

General Physical Description note: Scrapbook has detached covers and heavily acidified paper.

Location note: Leatherby Libraries

creator: Immel '35, Wilder V., 1906-1987

Biographical/Historical note

Wilder V. Immel, 1906-1987, a member of the 1935 class of Chapman College, served as a Disciples of Christ minister in Sacramento, California, affiliated with the Disciples of Christ. His ministry began on December 7, 1941, coinciding with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After the United States dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, Immel wrote to the editor of the Sacramento Bee, a local perodical, protesting the bombing. His letter was published on August 13, setting off a storm of debate over the "atomic bomb question". Immel continued in his ministry until 1971. After Immel's death in 1987, Harmon Wilkinson donated money in his name for the Wilder and Mary Immel Scholarship, awarded to those students in Peace Studies. Protest against World War II and the use of the atomic bomb was rare, but still a major part of American sentiment about the war. Though the majority of Americans supported use of the bomb, particularly after the war came to an end, there were a few who felt that the bomb would bring more ill than good. Many understood the dangerous possibilities that came with the atomic bomb, possibilities which would come to haunt Americans from that moment forth. Others, many of them clergy such as Immel, felt that use of the bomb against civilian populations was tantamount to the Nazi slaughter that had just been uncovered.

Scope and Contents note

This is a scrapbook of newspaper clippings and letters regarding Immel, who protested the dropping of the atomic bombs during WWII.

Box 1 Scrapbook, A Preacher Protests the Atomic Bombing 1945

24 Leaves, sleeved

Ephemera, loose, relating to Immel's protest.

Arrangement note

The collection is arranged as it was received from the donor.

Conditions Governing Access note

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use note

There are no restrictions on the use of this material.

Preferred Citation note

[identify item], Wilder V. Immel '35 World War II Atomic Bomb Protest Scrapbook, 1945-1985 (2009.55.r), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Gift of Clarice Friedline '52

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Friedline '52, Clarice E.

Atomic bomb -- Japan

Atomic bomb -- Moral and ethical aspects

Atomic bomb -- United States -- History

Chapman University -- Alumni and alumnae.

Hiroshima-shi (Japan) -- History -- Bombardment, 1945

World War, 1939-1945