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CND: The story of a peace movement, part one

Introduction to the CND project: CND: The Story of a Peace Movement|

In 1945, the US Air Force detonated the first nuclear bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With World War II over, a different sort of war - the Cold War - took centre stage. By the 1950s, the nuclear arms race was underway.

Support for the anti-nuclear cause grew throughout the 1950s. In 1958, a group of public figures and political activists established the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Founding members included Canon John Collins, Bertrand Russell, and J.B. Priestley. From 1958 onwards, CND has campaigned vigorously to raise awareness of the dangers of nuclear weapons.

In 1960, CND president Bertrand Russell founded the Committee of 100. The Committee used non-violent direct action to campaign against the establishment of US nuclear bases in the UK. Meanwhile, CND established its name through mass peaceful protests, from the Aldermaston Easter marches to the famous peace camps of the 1980s.

CND quickly established itself as a major political and cultural force for change. By the mid-1980s, the CND logo had become an internationally recognised symbol for peace.

Click on the thumbnails for larger images:

1. 'Stop the H-Tests Now', 1958 (CND/7/25).  

Thumbnail: Stop the H-Tests now|

 

2. '1958 Easter March to Aldermaston: Column of marchers'. Photograph by Roger Mayne, reproduced with kind permission of the photographer.  

Thumbnail: Photograph by Roger Mayne of Aldermaston march, 1958|

 

3. 'Crisis in the Middle East', Lewisham CND, 1958/9 (CND/7/25).  

Thumbnail: Crisis in the Middle East|

 

4. 'Youth Against the Bomb', The Monthly Bulletin of the Youth Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament: Christmas edition, 1959 (CND/9/19).  

Thumbnail: Monthly Bulletin of Youth CND, 1959|

 

5. Easter march on Aldermaston flyer, 1961 (CND/4/1).  

Thumbnail: Aldermaston march, 1961|

 

6. 'Committee of 100 against the Nuclear State: Return to Marham Base', 1963 (COLL MISC 0393).  

Thumbnail: Return to Marham base|

 

7. 'H-Bomb on Brighton Clock Tower', early 1960s (CND/5/17).  

Thumbnail: H-Bomb on Brighton Clock Tower|

 

8. 'First Ever Vietnam International: End British Support for War in Vietnam', joint CND & British Council for Peace in Vietnam rally, 1967 (CND/9/19).  

Thumbnail: Peace in Vietnam rally|

 

9. 'It's like a starving man...', pamphlet, late 1960s, by Dick Nettleton (CND/1/68).  

Thumbnail: It's like a starving man...|

 

10. 'Stop the neutron bomb!' Disarmament rally, 1978 (CND/ADD/9/14).  

Thumbnail: Stop the neutron bomb!|

 

11. 'Bury Against the Missiles presents "The War Game"', 1980 (CND/ADD/9/16).  

Thumbnail: The War Game|

 

12. 'Merseyside Peace Week: Protest and Survive', 1981 (COLL MISC 1157).  

Thumbnail: Protest and Survive|

 

13. Glastonbury Festival poster, 1982 (CND/ADD/9/7).  

Thumbnail: Glastonbury Festival, 1982|

 

14. 'Will your town get wiped off the map? Operation Hard Luck', 1982 (CND/ADD/9/16).  

Thumbnail: Operation Hard Luck|

 

15. 'Stand Together', CND human chain between Burghfield, Aldermaston and Greenham, Easter 1983 (CND/ADD/9/14).  

Thumbnail: Stand Together|

 

 

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