A Preliminary Profile of the Nineteenth-Century U.S. Peace Advocacy Press

Noting that throughout U.S. history most viewpoints not expressed in the mainstream press have found an outlet among alternative publications, this paper presents a profile of the 19th century peace advocacy press. The paper also notes that most studies of peace history have been produced by scholars of diplomatic, military, and political history, who have viewed the field within the framework of their respective disciplines. Analyzing the field from a communication perspective, the first paper presents a review of the literature on peace history and the history of the peace advocacy press. The paper then traces the 19th century peace advocacy movement and its presses; and after that presents an analysis of a sample of peace advocacy periodicals, examining method, purpose and audience, overview of content, view of reform and journalism, concern with other media, coverage of other reform efforts, and some journalistic strategies. The paper concludes that the moral and ideological exclusion experienced by peace advocates may have significantly shaped their communication. Two appendixes provide: (1) a taxonomy of 19th century peace advocacy and its publications, and (2) selected examples of 19th century peace advocacy publications. One hundred twenty-three notes are included. (NH)