Pacifism in the United States


has manifested in the United States in a variety of forms, and in myriad contexts. In general, it exists in contrast to an acceptance of the necessity of war for national defense.

Pacifist ideas

In early America religious groups such as the Brethren, Mennonites, and Quakers disseminated "antiwar sentiments...fostered by a growing colonial aversion to the carnage of the European imperial wars."
In the 1930s influential theologian Reinhold Niebuhr rejected overly idealist pacifism as "perverse sentimentality," in favor of just war.
In contrast to pacifism based on religious beliefs, some in the U.S. have opposed violent conflict on economic grounds, or for other practical, non-religious reasons.
U.S. Congress created the United States Institute of Peace in 1984 to promote international peace through education.

Wartime

War of 1812

The war ended in February 1815. New peace groups formed shortly thereafter: the New York Peace Society and Massachusetts Peace Society.

Civil War

World War I

World War II

Korean War

The American Peace Crusade formed in 1951, in opposition to U.S. involvement in the Korean War.

Vietnam War

2001 Afghanistan War

Iraq War

Published in 20th century

2000s