National Service Board for Religious Objectors ephemera collection, 1940-1945
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Summary
- Creator:
- National Service Board for Religious Objectors and Northern California Service Board for Conscientious Objectors
- Abstract:
- The National Service Board for Religious Objectors was established in Washington D.C. in 1940 by historic peace churches in response to the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940. This collection contains printed ephemera published by the NSBRO and the Northern California Service Board for Conscientious Objectors, all discussing legal rights and options for conscientious objectors opposing the draft or military service for the United States during World War II.
- Extent:
- 0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
- Language:
- Materials in English.
- Collection ID:
- RL.13104
Background
- Scope and content:
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This collection contains assorted printed ephemeral materials, such as handouts, newsletters, and pamphlets, published by the NSBRO and the Northern California Service Board for Conscientious Objectors, all discussing legal rights and options for conscientious or religious objectors opposing the draft or military service for the United States during World War II. Includes materials about camps operated by the Civilian Public Service, service opportunities as human "guinea pigs" for scientific and medical research, reports about fundraising by the various denominations and peace church organizations participating in NSBRO, and updates about religious and conscientious objectors' treatment and experiences.
- Biographical / historical:
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The National Service Board for Religious Objectors (NSBRO) was organized in 1940 as a coordinated response by pacifist organizations and peace churches following the introduction of the Selective Training and Service Act in 1940. This was the first peacetime draft in the history of the United States. Along with offering advocacy and legal support for U.S. draftees who claimed conscientious or religious objection, the NSBRO administered a program called Civilian Public Service.
The Civilian Public Service operated a system of base camps, which served as alternatives to enlistment for draftees who were conscientious objectors. NSBRO helped assign men to over 150 different camps, all operating within the United States and Puerto Rico. During the course of World War II, about 12,000 conscientious or religious objectors completed "work of national importance" without wages and with minimal governmental support. Projects or assignments related to forestry, firefighting, enrolling in medical experimentation (volunteering as "human guinea pigs" for scientific studies), working in mental health facilities or community hospitals, and numerous other projects. Camps were administered by church organizations such as the Mennonite Central Committee, the American Friends Service Committee, the Brethren Service Committee, and others. Peace church congregations funded their members' work and expenses while they served in CPS.
The Civilian Public Service operated until 1947. The National Service Board for Religious Objectors (as of 2000 now called the Center on Conscience and War) continues to serve as an international advocate for peace, offering legal and emotional support to military personnel and civilians who conscientiously object to war and conscription.
- Acquisition information:
- The National Service Board for Religious Objectors ephemera collection was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase from McBride Rare Books in 2024.
- Processing information:
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Processed by Meghan Lyon, November 2024
Accessions described in this collection guide: 2024-0118
- Arrangement:
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Collection is arranged alphabetically by author, and in loose chronological order.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.
Contents
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- Restrictions:
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Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
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The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.
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- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], National Service Board for Religious Objectors ephemera collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
- Permalink:
- https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1qt83