National Council for Prevention of War. Western Office (San Francisco) records, 1921-1943

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Summary

Creators:
National Council for Prevention of War (U.S.). Western Office (San Francisco)
Abstract:
Leaflets, pamphlets, press releases, and serial issues, relating to movements for peace, disarmament, preservation of American neutrality during World War II, and opposition to conscription and military training in educational institutions.
Extent:
4 manuscript boxes (1.4 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], National Council for Prevention of War. Western Office (San Francisco) records, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection contains leaflets, pamphlets, press releases, serial issues, plays, and program agendas issued by the National Council for Prevention of War (NCPW) with the objective to mobilize U.S. citizens and prevent the trans-Pacific war of 1941.

The materials are educational in nature; the leaflets, pamphlets, and correspondence attempt to inform the average citizen on the relevant politics of war. The NPCW encouraged political participation and active community involvement.

A significant portion of the materials are anti-war songs, plays, and pageants revealing the public nature of this organization. NCPW educational literature also targeted children and young adults in an effort to create a generation of internationally-minded citizens. The NPCW was primarily concerned with trans-Pacific issues, but also had a small focus on issues in Mexico.

The personal binder is a scrapbook of NCPW literature. There are bulletins about international education, letters encouraging political mobilization, and religious anti-war materials. There are maps outlining Congressional districts and lists of members of the House Representatives.

Biographical / historical:

The National Council for Prevention of War (NCPW) was founded by Frederick J. Libby on October 21, 1921, as the National Council for Limitation of Armaments. Later evolving into the National Council for Prevention of War, the American pacifist organization had a mission to prevent a trans-Pacific war through progressive world organization, the reduction of armaments by international agreement, and global education for peace.

The NCPW cooperated with other like-minded organizations, fighting policies that would increase armaments, and circulating educational resources such as pamphlets, fliers, and newsletters. The original office was in Washington D.C., and the San Francisco office was the first branch site opening in 1924.

Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1943.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], National Council for Prevention of War. Western Office (San Francisco) records, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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