Student Life: Oberlin Peace Society Records, 1930-1941, 1947, n.d.
| Oberlin College Archives
Administrative/Biographical History
TIMELINE
Winter 1930: Causey Conferences and work by Political Science Professor Oscar Jaszi (d. 1957) stimulate discussion of international affairs among the student body. Two discussion groups are formed to encourage discourse on the issues that were addressed in the initial conferences.
February 26, 1930: 1200 members of the Oberlin community attend the founding meeting of the Oberlin Peace Society in Finney Chapel.
October 1931: 850 students, almost half of the student body, sign the membership pledge. The Society reaches its peak in membership.
December 12, 1931: The Society holds the World Court Conference at Oberlin College.
April 28 and 29, 1933: The Peace Society hosts the Ohio Intercollegiate Model Assembly of the League of Nations at Oberlin College.
Fall 1935: The Oberlin Peace Society hosts experts in international relations to discuss the problems of pacifism as well as realism. Noted speakers include Frederick J. Libby, Executive Secretary of the National Council for the Prevention of War; Phillip C. Nash, President of Toledo University; Thomas Kennedy, of the Friends Service Committee; and Devere Allen, editor of the No Frontier News Service.
November 4, 1935: The Society publishes its first bulletin.
March 1939: The “Living Museum of Peace” is established by the Peace Society. The information gathered is presented in the Peace Society Bulletin and pictorial exhibits are planned.
April 22, 1937: The Oberlin Peace Society sponsors "Fast Call," a student peace strike, Oberlin College.
April 21-22, 1938: The Oberlin Peace Society sponsors War Mobilization Day, Oberlin College.
1939: The Oberlin Peace Society holds the Oberlin Peace Senate, Oberlin College.
April 20, 1947: The Oberlin Peace Society sponsors the War Day Demonstration,
Oberlin College.
Note – The official end date of the society could not be established.
Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative Information
The records of the Oberlin Peace Society document the organization’s commitment to the study and pursuance of peace within the international community, 1930-1939.
The membership records document that almost half of the student body at Oberlin in 1931 were members of the Peace Society. From the period 1930 to 1939, the records provide evidence that the Society and its members were involved in various activities to promote peace. The Peace Society sponsored conferences and lectures. Except for a 1947 War Day Demonstration held on the Oberlin College campus, the records indicate that activity of the Peace Society had declined by 1940.
The collection is divided into ten series: I. Constitution, n.d.; II. Meeting Minutes, 1935-1940; III. Correspondence, 1930-1939; IV. Historical Files, 1930-1931; V. Membership, 1930s; VI. Oberlin Peace Bulletin 1935-1937; VII. Programs and Lectures, 1931-1939, n.d.; VIII. Printed Matter (i.e., brochures, fliers, and newspaper clippings), 1931-1941, 1947;
IX. Committee Reports, 1930-1940; and, X. Special Programs, 1930-1933, 1937-39, and 1947.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series I. Constitution, n.d.
Series I consists of undated copies of the Oberlin Peace Society’s Constitution.
Series II. Meeting Minutes, 1935-1940
Two notebooks contain meeting minutes individually dated 1935-1938 and 1938-1940.
Series III. Correspondence, 1930-1939
Incoming and outgoing letters the Peace Society document matters relating to alumni membership, speaking engagements, congressional lobbying, and special events.
Series IV. Historical Files, 1930-1931
Consisting of a wide array of historical materials, this series holds notes on the founding of the Peace Society and a reprinted article from the Oberlin Alumni Magazine. There are also articles from other publications that report on the aims of the Peace Society. Finally, found here is one page from the Constitution of the Peace and Public Affairs Forum along with the by-laws of the Oberlin Organizations Council.
Series V. Membership, 1930s (5 folders, 2 card files)
This large file unit consists of five folders and two card files. It includes applications for membership, election details and officer lists, fellowship awards, and the card files for members. Users will locate in folder one the Peace Society membership pledge, aims, and application for membership, as well as membership application lists and alumni interest lists from 1930-1931. In folder two users can find officers’ lists from 1930-1932 and election ballots from 1937. Folder three contains a list of fellowship awards given by the Society for 1930-1931. Folders four and five contain member lists from 1931-1938 and an undated member list. Finally, the card files are a catalogue of all members and are arranged alphabetically.
Series VI. Oberlin Peace Bulletin, 1935-1937 (2 folders)
Contained in this series are two folders of Society “Bulletins” which hold volumes I – V, covering the period of 1935-1939.
Series VII. Programs and Lectures, 1931-1939, n.d. (2 folders)
The series contains materials relating to lectures and programs, which appear as lecture notes and lecture scripts from events sponsored by the Peace Society.
Series VIII. Printed Matter, 1931-1941, 1947 (4 folders)
Found in the four folders of Series 8 are brochures, articles, and pamphlets collected by leaders of the Oberlin Peace Society. In particular, there is historical material documenting war and it’s relationship to both the mainstream protestant church and Quakerism. Also, located here are articles about the activities of the Society that were printed in the Oberlin Review.
Series IX. Society and Committee Reports, 1930-1940
The student organization reports from the committee on the Intercollegiate Student Conference, the Committee on Lectures, the Living Museum of Peace, and the Commission on International Organization document the activity and interests of the Oberlin College Peace Society. Of special interest are committee reports from the Society’s Peace Conference.
Series X. Special Programs, 1930-1933, 1937-39, 1947 (7 folders)
Series 10 consists of five folders arranged alphabetically. They contain planning notes, brochures, programs, and reports for special events sponsored by the Peace Society. Specifically, there are records from "Fast Call," a student peace strike (1937), the Ohio Intercollegiate Model Assembly of the League of Nations (1930-1933), the Oberlin Peace Senate (1939), the War Day Demonstration (1947), War Mobilization Day (1938), and the World Court Conference (1931).
INVENTORY
Series I. Constitution, n.d.
Box 1
Constitution, Oberlin Peace Society, n.d.
Series II. Meeting Minutes, 1935-1940
Box 1 (cont.)
Notebooks containing meeting minutes, 1935-1940
Series III. Correspondence, 1930-1939
Box 1 (cont.)
Letters, 1930-1939
Series IV. Historical Files, 1930-1931
Box 1 (cont.)
Notes and background information, 1930-1931
Series V. Membership, 1930s
Box 1 (cont.)
Applications for membership, membership pledge, alumni interest list,
1930-1931
Officers lists, 1930-1932, election ballots, 1937
Fellowship Awards, 1930-1931
Member lists, 1931-1938, n.d. (2f)
(see also Boxes 3 and 4 )
Series VI. Oberlin Peace Bulletin, 1935-1939
Box 1 (cont.)
Volumes I-V of the Peace Society Bulletin, 1935-1939 (2f)
Series VII. Programs and Lectures, 1931-1939, n.d.
Box 1 (cont.)
Lecture notes and scripts, 1931-1939
Programs, 1933-1939, n.d.
Series VIII. Printed Matter, 1931-1941, 1947
Box 2
General Brochures, 1931-1941 (2f)
Church and War literature, 1930-1940
Oberlin Review articles, 1931-1940, 1947
Series IX. Society and Committee Reports, 1930-1940
Box 2 (cont.)
Committee reports, 1930-1940
Series X. Special Programs, 1930-1933, 1937-39, 1947
Box 2 (cont.)
"Fast Call," a student peace strike, April 22, 1937
Ohio Intercollegiate Model Assembly of the League of Nations, 1930-1933
Oberlin Peace Senate, 1939
War Day Demonstration, 1947
War Mobilization Day, April 21-22, 1938
World Court Conference, 1931
Series V. Membership, 1930s (cont.)
Box 3
Membership cards, A-O, c. 1930-1939
Box 4
Membership cards, P-Z, c. 1930-1939