Access
Use
Acquisition Information
Preferred Citation
Historical Note
Scope and Content of Collection
Title: National Council for Prevention of War. Western Office (San Francisco) records
Date (inclusive): 1921-1943
Collection Number: 43005
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
4 manuscript boxes
(1.4 Linear Feet)
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.
Creator:
National Council for Prevention of War (U.S.). Western Office (San Francisco)
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
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.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1943.
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.
Historical Note
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Peace
Disarmament
World War, 1939-1945 -- United States
Neutrality -- United States
Pacifism
Draft -- United States
Military education -- United States