Call Number:

DG.062

Repository:

Swarthmore College Peace Collection

Extent:

3.75 linear ft. (3.75 linear ft.)

Language Note:

Materials are in English.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of item], in the Post War World Council Records (DG 062), Swarthmore College Peace Collection

Date:

1942-1967 (inclusive)

Creator:

Baldwin, Roger N. (Roger Nash), 1884-1981, Bingham, Alfred M. (Alfred Mitchell), 1905-1998, Boss, Charles F. (Charles Frederick), 1888-, Detzer, Dorothy, 1893-1981, Dewey, John, 1859-1952, Hillyer, Mary W., Holmes, John Haynes, 1879-1964, Lloyd, William Bross, 1908-, Rorty, James, 1890-1973, Siteman, Stephen, Tatum, Arlo D., Willoughby, George, pacifist, Worthy, William, 1921-, and Post War World Council

Abstract:

Founded in 1942 to continue the efforts begun by Keep America Out of War Congress; December 1941 KAOWC dissolved and reorganized as Provisional Committee Toward a Democratic Peace; February 1942 a more permanent group organized; ceased activities December 1967.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, which signaled the entrance of the United States into the military action of World War II, the Keep America Out Of War Congress was dissolved (on December 16, 1941), and on the same night reorganized as The Provisional Committee Toward a Democratic Peace. In February 1942, this name was changed to the Post War World Council. At the same time that the new group was begun, their Youth Committee Against War changed its name to the Youth Committee for Democracy. The PWWC was created by Norman Thomas and his associates to work toward a democratic, non-imperialist peace settlement. The organization was so closely connected with Thomas in the following years that it virtually became his political action office. As the Chair of the PWWC, he was committed to developing plans for peace that would prevent all future wars; he promoted international relations and universal disarmament in newsletters, editorials, press releases, and letters to influential government officials, and guided the organization as it published pamphlets and organized conferences on the subject. Because of Thomas' failing health, activities slowed down as early as 1965. However, some efforts, including its newsletter, continued until December1967, when the organization was officially dissolved, following a severe stroke that left Thomas unable to contribute his expertise anymore.

This collection includes meeting minutes, printed material, financial records, and correspondence that help to document the PWWC's activities, especially during the 1950s and 1960s, covering such subjects as universal disarmament, strengthening of the United Nations, end to racial discrimination, and war upon the world's poverty and disease. Also included is material from the Youth Committee for Democracy. Correspondents include Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge, Roger N. Baldwin, Alfred M. Bingham, Charles F. Boss Jr., Dorothy Detzer, John Dewey, Mary W. Hillyer, John Haynes Holmes, William Bross Lloyd Jr., Mildred Scott Olmsted, James Rorty, Stephen Siteman, Arlo D. Tatum, Norman Thomas, George Willoughby, and William Worthy, Jr.