Conscientious Objectors in World War II
War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector
enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.
--John F. Kennedy
A very strong pacifist movement existed in the United States between World Wars I and II. The horror and devastation resulting from World War I was strongly felt in both Europe and the United States. In 1936, an estimated 12 million Americans considered themselves pacifists, and Congress passed the 1940 draft only after an intense and lengthy public debate.
The Selective Service Act of 1940 also established an alternative noncombatant service for those who, “by reason of religious training and belief, [are] conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form.” It also provided for the man who, “if he is found to be conscientiously opposed to participation in such noncombatant service in lieu of such induction, be assigned to work of national importance under civilian direction.” Of the estimated 43,000 World War II objectors, 25,000 served in the military as non-combatants, 6,000 went to prison, and 12,000 were inducted into Civilian Public Service camps. The three historic peace churches--the Quakers, the Brethren, and the Mennonites–concerned because of the abysmal treatment of conscientious objectors during World War I, worked with the government to ensure humane treatment of internees.
Opponents to World War II grew beyond members of the peace churches to include men who opposed war for ethical, philosophical and political reasons. Those who were sent to CPS camps were not always passive to the treatment they received, but many resisted in various ways the system that they viewed as punishing them for their beliefs and severely limiting their civil liberties. The influence of the World War II objectors on those who resisted the draft during the Vietnam War was significant.
The voices of dissent in this section of the exhibit are those of the internees who were sent to camps, as well as the organizations that supported them. In particular, we hear from conscientious objectors housed at the Waldport camp in Oregon who created a fine arts and publishing program with a lasting legacy.
