What is the War Resisters League?

Introduction The War Resisters League (WRL) is the oldest secular pacifist organisation in the United States. Refer to War Resister, War Resisters’ International, and War Resisters Support Campaign. Brief History Founded in 1923 by men and women who had opposed World War I, it is a section of the London-based War Resisters’ International. It continues… Read More

On This Day … 12 June

Events 910 – Battle of Augsburg: The Hungarians defeat the East Frankish army under King Louis the Child, using the famous feigned retreat tactic of the nomadic warriors. 1381 – Peasants’ Revolt: In England, rebels assemble at Blackheath, just outside London. 1418 – Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War: Parisians slaughter sympathizers of Bernard VII, Count of Armagnac,… Read More

What is a (War) Dove?

Introduction Doves, usually white in colour, are used in many settings as symbols of love, peace or as messengers. Doves appear in the symbolism of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Paganism, and of both military and pacifist groups. Paganism In ancient Mesopotamia, doves were prominent animal symbols of Inanna-Ishtar, the goddess of love, sexuality, and war.… Read More

What is War Effort?

Introduction In politics and military planning, a war effort is a coordinated mobilisation of society’s resources – both industrial and human – towards the support of a military force. Depending on the militarisation of the culture, the relative size of the armed forces and the society supporting them, the style of government, and the famous… Read More

What is a War Economy?

Introduction A war economy or wartime economy is the set of contingencies undertaken by a modern state to mobilise its economy for war production. Refer to War Effort. Philippe Le Billon describes a war economy as a “system of producing, mobilising and allocating resources to sustain the violence.” Some measures taken include the increasing of… Read More