Pioneers Of Peace

The word “pacifism” was first used in 1901 at an international peace conference in Scotland.

- Christine Graf

The word itself may have been new, but the concept certainly wasn’t. Pacifism—the opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes—has been documented since ancient times.

Mohandas Gandhi’s name has become synonymous with pacifism. Born in India in 1868, Gandhi moved to South Africa to practice law when he was in his early 20s. While he was living there, he was asked to move from the first class compartment of a train because of the color of his skin. He was forcibly removed from the train after he refused, and the experience set him on a path to fight against the “deep disease of color prejudice.” During his 21 years in South Africa, he was sent to jail four times for leading peaceful anti-discrimination protests.

He returned to India, where he led a successful peace movement to end British rule of the country. He organized peaceful protests and encouraged boycotts of British goods and services. He also conducted hunger strikes— often while in jail—to protest the oppression of the poor. He said, “A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” Gandhi, a devout Hindu who lived a life of simplicity, prayer, and meditation, was murdered in 1948 at the age of 78.