Background and Growth of the Nuclear Freeze Movement

From a local ballot initiative in Massachusetts, the nuclear weapons freeze movement has grown during the last three years into an important national issue. By 1983, Congress had been asked to consider more than two dozen freeze resolutions, and more than 25% of the voters in the U.S. had the opportunity to vote on state-wide and regional freeze initiatives.

Scope and Perspectives of the Book

This book explores the issues behind the current debate over nuclear weapons and the freeze movement from a wide range of perspectives. The contributors assess the goals and implications of the freeze movement, examine its origins in religious and secular pacifism, explain the amendments to the original freeze proposal introduced in Congress, and discuss the reaction and policies of the Reagan administration.

International Context and Additional Content

The nuclear freeze movement is placed in an international context with discussions of recent arms negotiations, European views of U.S. policies, and the possible effects of a freeze on NATO allies and on U.S. national security. The book includes a comprehensive annotated bibliography.