Between War and Peace, 1919–1939

In the interwar years, considerable efforts were invested in advocating against war and promoting international understanding, within the frameworks of arbitration, committee work, and collective security of the League of Nations. The League of Nations Union lobbied the government, and aimed to educate and secure support among the general public, which included the young. And many young people took to this cause with energy, in schools, in community settings, and in their homes. I examine junior affiliation to the LNU and the different forms this could take. I explore in depth the experiences and perspectives of young people as they engaged with LNU activities and agendas, with adults in the movement, and with their peers. In a third section I consider the implications for young people of one of the key tensions within liberal internationalism: negotiating and accommodating the military and militarism, whilst at the same time working for international harmony and peace.