Subversive Peacemakers: War-Resistance 1914-1918: an Anglican Perspective

by Clive Barrett

The outbreak of the First World War saw an upsurge of patriotism. The Church generally saw the war as justified, and many clergy encouraged the men in their congregations to join the army. There was, however, already a strong strand of anti-war sentiment, opposed to the dominant theology of the Establishment. This was partly based on traditional Christian pacifism, but included other religious, social and political influences. Campaigners and conscientious objectors voiced a growing concern about the huge human cost of a conflict seemingly endlessly bogged down in the mud of the Flanders poppy fields. 'Subversive Peacemakers' recounts the stories of a strong and increasingly organised opposition to war, from peace groups to poets, from preachers to politicians, from women to working men, all of whom struggled to secure peace in a militarised and fragmenting society. Clive Barrett demonstrates that the Church of England provided an unlikely setting for much of this war resistance.
Barrett masterfully narrates the story of the peace movement, bringing together stories of war-resistance until now lost, disregarded or undervalued. The people involved, as well as the dramatic events of the conflict themselves, are seen in a new light.

310 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2014

Reviews

[Michael Bully · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's certainly worth reading the small- print, in this case the full title ....'An Anglican Perspective'; the emphasis is on the Christian opposition to Britain taking part in World War 1. A central theme of the book is the formation and growth of the ( Anglican) Fellowship of Reconciliation, formed in December 1914, growing to some 8,000 members by the end of 1917: It must be stressed that the author is keen to identify other Christians who opposed the War. And has no qualms about highlighting how certain Anglican luminaries were fervent supporters of the war, particularly the Bishop of London Arthur Winnington-Ingram, who interpreted World War 1 in quite Apocalyptic terms.
It's the non-sectarian approach that is one of the book's strength. There is a whole chapter on Women pacifists, on internationalism. Two very informative core chapters about the plight of Conscientious Objectors in general, particularly the 16 'absolutists' who were taken to the Western Front and sentenced to death, then to have their sentence immediately commuted to hard labour. And how imprisoned Conscientious Objectors such as Clifford Allen and Thomas Atlee had their health wrecked by systematic ill treatment. And the writer also explains moves such as the Home Office scheme to offer COs alternative work from military service failed due to the punitive stance taken by the authorities.
There are chapters about the prominent individuals who adopted a Christian based opposition to World War 1, sometimes also inspired by Socialism....Maude Royden, George Lansbury, Charles Freer Andrews, Dick Sheppard Stephen Hobhouse, but the life and work of 'celebrity' activists doesn't dominate, the book is also well footnoted .
I would like to have learnt more about how the Christian based Pacifists reacted towards bodies such as the TUC who seem to oppose conscription but not the War itself. Also if there was any contact with more establishment based liberals such as Lady Ottoline Morel who were against the War : The diversity of the Conscientious Objectors's beliefs, and the fact that they were not all citing religious opposition to war comes across well but would like to have heard more about how this was reflected in politics generally.
This book will surely become the definitive work on the subject of Christian pacifism in World War 1 . It certainly helps that World War 1 is largely an unpopular war with the 'disenchantment' view prevailing- either that the cost of wining the war was far too high or that Britain should have remained neutral. Would be interesting to see if anyone can come up with an equivalent for World War 2.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important contribution to the current marking of the centenary of the Great War: a reminder of those who resisted war, often at huge cost to themselves. The established Church of England had a shameful record, with many of the bishops preaching war and urging Anglicans to fight the just war and kill Germans. Yet there were some wonderful exceptions, among them George Lansbury, Maude Royden - the first woman to preach in an Anglican church - and Dick Sheppard. A powerful reminder that, in the words of the 1930 Lambeth Conference, "War, as a method of settling international disputes, is incompatible with the teaching and example of Our Lord Jesus Christ." Why have recent Lambeth Conferences not echoed this resolution, which seems after all pretty basic to the Gospel?