Ban the Bomb: An Introduction to Twentieth-Century Pacifism (1901-1983)
This course has unfortunately been cancelled. Ticketholders will be contacted by the box office.
Topics covered include conscientious objection during both world wars, the Greenham Common peace camp - and an idealistic attempt to end global conflict by creating a world without borders!
Who is this course for?
- Informal learners seeking an accessible and engaging introduction to twentieth-century pacificist movements in London, and beyond
- Anyone curious to discover the aims of a range of peace campaigners whose idealism and commitment to the pacifist cause are documented in our archives
- Activists and change-makers seeking information on the ways in which British people have historically sought to make political gains
- Those interested in pacifist-adjacent themes such as patriotism, belonging and nation
- Historians, designers, writers and others looking for inspiration for creative projects
- Research enthusiasts, keen to enjoy hands-on access to original campaigning literature from the 1900s to the 1980s including pamphlets, flyers, badges and photographs.
What can I expect?
- The subject is examined through hundreds of published and unpublished sources from Bishopsgate Institute’s library and special collections, many rare and some unique (e.g., letters, minute books, memoir, pamphlets, press cuttings)
- Each week, the tutor provides an overview of the historical materials
- Questions and activity ideas provide focus and support the research process
- Students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the sources, which have been arranged in curated sets to represent themes relevant to the course topic of pacifism
- Students spend time with each set of materials, with the tutor on hand to give guidance and answer questions
- Handouts provide historical background and context
- Facilitated, informal group discussions offer a chance to share findings and reflections at the close of each session
- Short homework activities and suggested further reading lists provide opportunities for students to extend their learning between sessions, should they wish to do so.
Will I need any equipment or materials?
The session involves research activities using original sources. Please bring reading glasses if worn.
Image: Greenham Common Peace Camp
Need to Know
You will learn
- How it felt to play an active part in twentieth-century pacifist campaigns through hands-on access to a range of sources produced during the period
- Information about a range of campaigns and how these altered across the course of our period, in response to the changing nature of warfare and weaponry
- Links between local, national and international campaigns for peace
- The ways in which pacifism intersected with wider political campaigns, such as feminism
- Case study histories of pacifist individuals and organisations whose largely untold experiences are represented in Bishopsgate Institute’s special collections
- The joys and challenges of reconstructing the past from primary source materials
- The types of historical materials held in our library and archive on the related subjects of war and peace – and how you can access and use these for research purposes
Meet the Tutor
Dr Michelle Johansen
Dr Michelle Johansen is a social historian specialising in the history of modern London, with a particular emphasis on social class and mobility, gender, professional lives, and regional identities. Her publications include articles in Teaching History, the London Journal, and Cultural and Social History. Michelle has more than ten years' experience of delivering learning sessions at Bishopsgate Institute for all types of learners, from primary school pupils to undergraduates to informal adult learners. Her teaching approach places the emphasis on access to original historical documents, which provides a uniquely dynamic and immersive classroom experience.
Course Overview
Week 1
Conscientious Objection – we look at the experiences of those who refused to contribute to the war effort during World Wars One and Two
Week 2
A World Without Borders – we explore efforts to bridge or remove barriers between nations as a means of eliminating war
Week 3
Ban the Bomb – we focus on the response to the threat of nuclear war, and the formation of highly-organised pressure groups such as CND
Week 4
Embrace the Base – we explore the intersection between feminism and pacifism, including the Greenham Common peace camp
Dates and Times
Ban the Bomb: An Introduction to Twentieth-Century Pacifism (1901-1983)
– , 8:40 - 10:10
