Civilian Public Service Periodicals
Swarthmore College Peace Collection

During World War II, conscientious objectors (C.O.s) to war were offered an alternative option to military service. C.O.s who selected alternative service were assigned to Civilian Public Service (CPS).camps or units across the United States. In over 150 camps these men engaged in such work as forestry, farming, the building of sanitary facilities for hook-worm ridden communities, fighting fires, serving as human guinea pigs for medical and scientific research, and taking care of the mentally ill. In many of the camps/units, magazines or newsletters were published describing the work and activities of the C.O.s who lived in them. These periodicals were written and illustrated by the CPS men themselves. Bibliographic records herein document SCPC holdings of these publications but do not include digitized versions of the periodicals.

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