Witness Against War

Thomas P. Socknat is Co-ordinator of Canadian Studies, Woodsworth College, University of Toronto.

‘In this time of growing public awareness of the catastrophic consequences that nuclear war would have for Canadians, Witness against War is a timely reminder that the Canadian experiences of slaughter and suffering in World War I and World War II had already generated a reasoned protest against war as a mean of settling international disputes. Professor Socknat in his thoroughly researched history of pacifism in Canada builds a much needed bridge between the generation of which some have expressed a preference to be “red rather than dead” and the highly respectable Canadian historic pioneers in pacifism like J.S. Woodsworth, Nellie McClung, J.M.A. Grube, and Frank Underhill.’

George Ignatieff, author of The Making of a Peacemonger

‘In his carefully documented and well-written study Socknat traces the history of the Canadian peace movement from the early years of this century down to the end of World War II. Included in his narrative is the story of Canada’s conscientious objectors in both ward wars, among whom figure Quakers, Mennonites, Dukhobors, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as men from the nonpacifist churches and from nonchurch backgrounds. He shows too the close connection existing in Canada between pacifist activity and the search for social justice.’

Peter Brock, Professor Emeritus of History, University of Toronto.