The American Nonviolent Tradition

Structure Origins of American nonviolence – Quakers, key figures, War of Independence Origins of American nonviolence – Quakers, key figures, War of Independence Essay question - Why was American ‘non- resistance’ considered such a radical force in the nineteenth century? Essay question - Why was American ‘non- resistance’ considered such a radical force in the nineteenth century?

Origins of American Nonviolence Before Revolution of 1776, nonviolence associated with Society of Friends, or ‘Quakers’ Before Revolution of 1776, nonviolence associated with Society of Friends, or ‘Quakers’ Nonviolent resistance against British colonial rule Nonviolent resistance against British colonial rule Colonial movement of resistance at this time largely nonviolent – pragmatic technique for most groups apart from Quakers Colonial movement of resistance at this time largely nonviolent – pragmatic technique for most groups apart from Quakers

Quakers Began in England in 1650s, as a nonconformist breakaway from English Puritanism Began in England in 1650s, as a nonconformist breakaway from English Puritanism Denounced abuses of their day and bluntly refused to comply with laws they saw as immoral Denounced abuses of their day and bluntly refused to comply with laws they saw as immoral Strongly committed to principle of nonviolence – peace testimony Strongly committed to principle of nonviolence – peace testimony Saw their disobedience as a matter of individual conscience – but still able to evolve powerful campaigning technique Saw their disobedience as a matter of individual conscience – but still able to evolve powerful campaigning technique

Quakers Michael Randle – Quaker tradition of public action and campaigning was genuine resistance Michael Randle – Quaker tradition of public action and campaigning was genuine resistance Nonviolent invasion of Massachusetts Bay – made speeches, issued tracts and pamphlets, held illegal public meetings, refused to pay fines Nonviolent invasion of Massachusetts Bay – made speeches, issued tracts and pamphlets, held illegal public meetings, refused to pay fines Tactics largely successful – suffering gained sympathy and new converts Tactics largely successful – suffering gained sympathy and new converts

William Penn ( ) Son of an English admiral, came in contact with Quakers whilst studying at Oxford Son of an English admiral, came in contact with Quakers whilst studying at Oxford Arrested and jailed several times Arrested and jailed several times Experimented with another form of nonviolence in treaty with the Delaware Indians Experimented with another form of nonviolence in treaty with the Delaware Indians Policy appears to have worked – kept peace in Pennsylvania for two decades Policy appears to have worked – kept peace in Pennsylvania for two decades

John Woolman and Anthony Benezet Woolman ( ) most significant figure in early history of nonviolence in American colonies Woolman ( ) most significant figure in early history of nonviolence in American colonies Member of Quakers, his thought belonged to the tradition of the radical Reformation e.g. belief in civil disobedience, pacifism, oneness of creation Member of Quakers, his thought belonged to the tradition of the radical Reformation e.g. belief in civil disobedience, pacifism, oneness of creation French and Indian War led Woolman and Benezet to refuse to pay taxes in support of war – very new practice even among Quakers French and Indian War led Woolman and Benezet to refuse to pay taxes in support of war – very new practice even among Quakers

Nonviolent Resistance to British Rule Prototype of passive resistance was resistance in late 18 th century to British rule in American colonies Prototype of passive resistance was resistance in late 18 th century to British rule in American colonies Began against Stamp Act in 1765 – petitions, tax refusal, boycott of British goods – repealed in March 1766 Began against Stamp Act in 1765 – petitions, tax refusal, boycott of British goods – repealed in March 1766 Townshend Acts of 1767 met similar resistance – repealed in 1770, except tax on tea Townshend Acts of 1767 met similar resistance – repealed in 1770, except tax on tea

Nonviolent Resistance to British Rule Tea Act of 1773 – provoked Boston Tea Party Tea Act of 1773 – provoked Boston Tea Party British responded with Coercive Acts, which were met with a coordinated campaign of non- cooperation known as Continental Association British responded with Coercive Acts, which were met with a coordinated campaign of non- cooperation known as Continental Association This campaign overshadowed by outbreak of War of Independence This campaign overshadowed by outbreak of War of Independence

The American War of Independence Those who wanted war minority but best organized faction as well as most vocal and articulate Those who wanted war minority but best organized faction as well as most vocal and articulate Kurlansky – nonviolent protest and economic sabotage would probably have achieved independence without war Kurlansky – nonviolent protest and economic sabotage would probably have achieved independence without war War necessary to unite colonies – this had not yet been achieved War necessary to unite colonies – this had not yet been achieved

The American War of Independence Quakers refused to do anything that remotely aided continuation of war – refused to pay war fees and fines, refused to participate in any public office associated with war making Quakers refused to do anything that remotely aided continuation of war – refused to pay war fees and fines, refused to participate in any public office associated with war making While strictly neutral most Quakers were aligned politically to the British monarchy – passive loyalists While strictly neutral most Quakers were aligned politically to the British monarchy – passive loyalists Strongly objected to the ‘Test’ e.g. loyalty oath Strongly objected to the ‘Test’ e.g. loyalty oath Those who collaborated were expelled Those who collaborated were expelled Shakers, a small group linked to Quakers, attacked the war with most venom – tried to persuade citizens from answering militia calls Shakers, a small group linked to Quakers, attacked the war with most venom – tried to persuade citizens from answering militia calls

Essay Question Why was American ‘non- resistance’ considered such a radical force in the nineteenth century?

Introduction What was the American ‘non-resistance’? What was the American ‘non-resistance’? Key figure William Lloyd Garrison ( ) split the American Peace Society in 1838 to form the New England Non-Resistance Society Key figure William Lloyd Garrison ( ) split the American Peace Society in 1838 to form the New England Non-Resistance Society Espoused abolition of capital punishment, abstention from politics, opposition to all war, abolition of slavery Espoused abolition of capital punishment, abstention from politics, opposition to all war, abolition of slavery Considered radical for 2 reasons: Considered radical for 2 reasons: 1. Commitment to nonviolence 1. Commitment to nonviolence 2. Ideas of how society should be governed 2. Ideas of how society should be governed

Nonviolence Argued Americans interests, rights, liberties no more dear than rest of humanity – wrong to appeal to patriotism Argued Americans interests, rights, liberties no more dear than rest of humanity – wrong to appeal to patriotism Against all wars whether offensive or defensive as well as all preparations for war – went against dominant Lockean view Against all wars whether offensive or defensive as well as all preparations for war – went against dominant Lockean view As government upheld by physical strength, excluded themselves from all legislative and judicial bodies As government upheld by physical strength, excluded themselves from all legislative and judicial bodies Against violence in physical sense but Garrison never hesitant to ‘assail iniquity’ with words Against violence in physical sense but Garrison never hesitant to ‘assail iniquity’ with words Civil War caused many to abandon their pacifism Civil War caused many to abandon their pacifism

View of State Garrisonian nonresistants extreme in their views – believed in form of Christian anarchism summed up in slogan ‘no human government’ Garrisonian nonresistants extreme in their views – believed in form of Christian anarchism summed up in slogan ‘no human government’ Alienated Quakers as well as wider society Alienated Quakers as well as wider society Henry Thoreau ( ) – famous essay Civil Disobedience synthesized Christian concept of civil disobedience with Locke’s justification of revolution Henry Thoreau ( ) – famous essay Civil Disobedience synthesized Christian concept of civil disobedience with Locke’s justification of revolution Idea of free and liberal America a myth Idea of free and liberal America a myth

Conclusion ‘Non Resistance’ considered radical force for 2 main reasons: ‘Non Resistance’ considered radical force for 2 main reasons: Steadfast commitment to non-violence – view of War of Independence as unjust Steadfast commitment to non-violence – view of War of Independence as unjust View that government was illegitimate – distinguished it from other pacifist groups such as Quakers View that government was illegitimate – distinguished it from other pacifist groups such as Quakers