Cold War Britain: Ban the Bomb (1958-65)

Figure 1.--Here we see people preparing for the first Aldermaston Ban the Bomb march. The press caption read, "Start of Four-day Aldermanston Bomb Protest March. Family from Cambridge. A four day Easter demonstration March. against the Aldermanston bomb and missile bases. Organized by 19 socialist M.P.s. started from Trafalgar square this morning. The marchers are on way to the Aldermanston Atomic weapons research establishment, Berkshire (49 miles). They will have frequent stops on route for tea etc- and will spend the nights at various points on way. Ph"oto shows Mr. and Mrs. C. Baker of Cambridge. with their six children. ready to take part in the March from Trafalgar Square this morning. " The photogrph was datedvPril 4, 1958.

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) was a movement that advocates unilateral nuclear disarmament by the United Kingdom. It also promoted international nuclear disarmament, and tighter international arms regulation through agreements such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The idea behind the CND was that British should set the example and the Sovuet Union would follow suit. It was a concept based on faith. As the Cold War evolved, it would only by matching Soviet weapons deoployment that the Soviets finally agreed to arms reduction. One might have thought that after almost presiding over the end of Western Civiization because of the lack of preparadness to confront the NAZIs that the CND would attract few supporters, but that was was not the case. Mant Britains seem to gave thought that the Soviet Uniin was a bebnighn country and no threat. The CND opposed military action that may result in the use of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. Actually they opposed all war. They were essentially a pacifuist group. They also opposed the building of nuclear power stations in the UK. The CND was founded by an organizing Committee (November 1957). Canon John Collins was the chairman. He does not seem to have been concerned with Soviet suppression of religin througout Eastern Europe. Long-rime pacifist Bertrand Russell was the president. He opposed rearmament in the face of the NAZI military threat. He famously wrote, "If the Germans succeed in sending an invading army to England we should do best to treat them as visitors, give them quarters and invite the commander and chief to dine with the prime minister." (1937) [Russell] Peggy Duff was as organising secretary. The Committee organised CND's first public meeting at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster(February 1958). From that beginning step, the CND has been at the forefront of the British peace movement. hy claim to hsve been Europe's largest single-issue peace campaign. A major efforts was the Aldermaston March, which was held over the Easter weekend from the Atomic Weapons Establishment near Aldermaston to Trafalgar Square, London (April 1958). This became an annual event..

Sources

Russel, Bertrand. "Museum Of Tolerance Acquires Bertrand Russell’s Nazi Appeasement Letter" CBS Los Angeles (February 14, 2014). Russell eventually changed his mind on Hitler, but if Britain's had heeded his advise, Britain would have become part of NAZI occupied Europe. And we know what that would have meant NAZI occupation plans.

Created: 5:53 PM 7/3/2018
Last updated: 5:53 PM 7/3/2018