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Post-War World Council Records

 Collection
Identifier: SCPC-DG-062

Scope and Contents

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.

Dates

  • Creation: 1942-1967

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Physical Access Note

All or part of this collection is stored off-site. Contact Swarthmore College Peace Collection staff at peacecollection@swarthmore.edu at least two weeks in advance of visit to request boxes.

Historical Note

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.

Extent

3.75 linear ft. (3.75 linear ft.)

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.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Norman Thomas & Stephen Siteman, 1968

Existence and Location of Copies

Part of this collection is available on microfilm (reels 90.1-90.8). Microfilm is available on-site by appointment and through interlibrary loan from the Swarthmore College Peace Collection.

Related Materials

For related materials, search the library's online catalog

Bibliographic References

Guide to the Swarthmore College Peace Collection, 2nd ed., p. 60.

Legal Status

Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendents, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Processing Information

Unknown; checklist revised by Anne M. Yoder in 2006.

Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Find It at the Library

Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting repoductions from Swarthmore College Peace Collection Library

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