Hi. I need examples of peace movements in History. Mostly I am looking for movements lead not by the common people but by people in some form of power. I have thought of some, obviously the UN to some extent, but I am trying to look back further. I had two examples which names I forgot. Firstly I remember a Chinese philosopher who in ancient times founded an army to attack any aggressors, but I have forgotten his name. Also I remember the Papal States used to issue edicts stopping war during certain times of the year. If anyone knows these or can think of other examples their help would be much appreciated.

IIRC the ancient Greeks had a truce between all city states during the olympics which is where today's tradition comes from.

The Church tried this sort of thing in Europe.
Starting with the Peace of God motion of 989, the Church condemned lawless combat against other Christians; the Truce of God, in 1027, forbade fighting on holy days such as Lent, Advent, Sundays, and others.
This led to a partial unification of Europe against the nearest non-Christian nation-- ergo the Crusades. I think that was what the Church had in mind in the first place-- it reduced internal destruction but still channelled the martial energy somewhere.

From a position of power? That is very rare. Hiawatha and Dekanawidah come to mind (again) resulting in the League of Nations of the Iroquois and the Great Law of Peace.

Thanks for the info. I still do not know the name of the Chinese guy who in Ancient times led an army to fight against all those who attacked other nations. If anyone knows his name it would help me a bunch?

Thru the long course of Chinese history there had been many guys who had come up to lead armies; a clue as to which probable time period would be nice... ;)

Originally posted by Ribannah
From a position of power? That is very rare. Hiawatha and Dekanawidah come to mind (again) resulting in the League of Nations of the Iroquois and the Great Law of Peace.
Wilson did it (or at least tried)

Originally posted by XIII
Thru the long course of Chinese history there had been many guys who had come up to lead armies; a clue as to which probable time period would be nice... ;)

It was during one of the chaotic and warring time periods. I believe around 400 AD or prior to this. He actually led an army independently to fight any aggressors across China.

What about the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka who forbade war as a means of state policy after the Kalinga War?

There was nothing left (or worthy) to conquer ;)

The Church threatned condemning Edward III to hell repeatdly if he didn't end his war against France.

Originally posted by luiz
The Church threatned condemning Edward III to hell repeatdly if he didn't end his war against France. I'm not sure Rome is a good example at this time since it's been messed up with politics then. It's only since the authority of the Church became mainly spiritual and not anymore political that it really began to become pacifist.

Originally posted by Aphex_Twin
There was nothing left (or worthy) to conquer ;)

No it was because he say the death and suffering inflicted by the battle (100,000 dead) and he was so troubled by it he did'nt go to war again, converted to Buddhisim, helped spread Buddhisim, and he gave away wealth to the poor.

Thanks. The example of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka is particularly helpful.

..and also can be put on record as one of the first "welfare" emperors.

In a lot of his edicts, he talks about his people as his "children" and built hospitals, schools, fine roads and highways and preached religious tolerance and harmony. Maybe I'll to post a more detailed article on him some time.

Harsha is also for peace. He united Northern India momentarily in his lifetime, for the sole sake of preventing the peasants from suffering again from more war. He was also later than Ashoka, and made India a centre for pilgrimage for monks from lands as far away as China.

Ashoka is probably the best example. Usually a peaceful person leads for war, realizes uselessness, then makes peace. Chief Orray of the Arapahoe or Cheyenne did so too.

the quakers have always been anti-war.

Eisenhower practically single-handidly started the Anti-Nuclear Expansion Movement in American politics.

The U-2 flights were supposed to prove that we didn't need so many missles.

Originally posted by silver 2039
No it was because he say the death and suffering inflicted by the battle (100,000 dead) and he was so troubled by it he did'nt go to war again, converted to Buddhisim, helped spread Buddhisim, and he gave away wealth to the poor.

That too. But essentially, there was nothing left to conquer.