Inventory of the National Council for Prevention of War. Western Office (San Francisco) records
Finding aid prepared by Hoover Institution Library and Archives Staff
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2009
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Stanford University
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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
box 1, folder 1
Information on National Council for Prevention of War (NCPW)
1935-1939
box 1, folder 2
NCPW Correspondence
1935-1939
box 1, folder 3
Peace Propaganda: Bulletins, Newsletters, and other materials
1926-1943
box 1, folder 5
Youth Based Peace Movements and Peace Education
1924-1932
box 1, folder 6
Economic Cost of War
1930-1938.
Scope and Contents note
Includes cartoon poster on the cost of war
box 1, folder 7
Women against War
1928-1939
box 1, folder 8
Revision of Covenant of League of Nations
1936
box 1, folder 9
US-Mexico Literature
1927
box 2, folder 1
Anti-war Educational Resources for American Children
1934-1936
box 2, folder 2
Memorial Day service programs and literature
1927-1929
box 2, folder 3-4
Christmas-themed anti-war propaganda: songs, plays, and other materials
1929-1940
box 2, folder 5
Anti-war plays, songs, and programs
1921-1935
box 2, folder 6
Anti-war plays and programs
1925-1929.
Scope and Contents note
Includes posters of the Kellogg Peace Pact
box 2, folder 7-9
Anti-war plays and programs
1928-1936
box 3, folder 1
Anti-war poems, plays, and programs
1928
box 3, folder 2
Speculations on future warfare
1921-1929
box 3, folder 3
Labor anti-war documents
1922-1927
box 3, folder 4
Labor anti-war Documents
1912-1939
box 3, folder 5
NCPW relevant Congressional records and statements
1927-1939
box 3, folder 6
Anti-compulsory military training literature
1925-1930
box 3, folder 7
Religious anti-war literature
1924-1939.
box 3, folder 8
Keep America Out of War Congress
1938-1939
box 3, folder 9-10
NCPW informational literature
1927-1939
box 4, folder 1
NCPW informational literature
1927-1939
box 4, folder 2-3
Scrapbook with NCPW articles and literature
1929-1935
box 4, folder 4
NCPW pamphlets
circa 1935
