Xanthe Hall recounts her journey in nuclear disarmament, beginning in the 1980s with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in the UK, driven by a strong opposition to nuclear weapons and an emphasis on nonviolent action. She emphasizes the importance of shifting global narratives, including the focus on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, which played a pivotal role in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Hall discusses the challenges posed by current geopolitical dynamics, such as the war in Ukraine, and the difficulties in maintaining momentum for disarmament in a world still shaped by nuclear deterrence beliefs. Despite these obstacles, she remains committed to fostering collaboration across civil society and advancing a normative process for disarmament, believing that a nuclear-free world remains essential and achievable.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

This CND pamphlet sets out the case against the development of the Strategic Defense Initiative which was being pursued by the Reagan Administration.

This letter to then Vice-President Bush sets out CND's opposition to the British Government's involvement in the Reagan Administration's Strategic Defense Initiative (popularly known as Star Wars).

This leaflet produced by Youth for Multilateral Disarmament suggests that the policy of the UK divesting itself of nuclear weapons - called 'one-sided disarmament' in the leaflet - would serve Soviet interests and weaken Britain. 

In this letter, Silin draws attention to a major "anti-war manifestation" in Moscow opposing the deployment of the Euromissiles in Western Europe. He claims that it attracted 800,000 participants - a highly exaggerated figure.

In this letter, Zhukov invites the CND to cooperate with the Soviet Peace Committee to prevent the deployment of Cruise and Pershing missiles in Western Europe. He also draws attention to a peace rally held in Moscow, likening this to the demonstrations being held in Western Europe in opposition to the Euromissiles.

In this letter, Zhukov sets out how, from the Soviet perspective, the Soviets have been working towards peace but the deployment of Cruise and Pershing missiles in Western Europe derailed arms control talks in Geneva and has made the international situation markedly worse. He invites the CND to work with the Soviet Union "to further our common struggle for a nuclear-free Europe."

This speech by Joan Ruddock, Chairperson of CND, was given three days after the Conservatives won an increased majority in the 1983 general election. She responds to the election results and what lessons can be drawn from this, before explaining how CND's work will continue. 

This letter from Joan Ruddock and Bruce Kent, dated 25 May 1983, invites CND supporters to a national rally three days after the UK general election. The authors note that the CND has had 'a major impact' on the election and that 'for the first time in twenty years nuclear weapons are a crucial issue on which many people may decide how to cast their vote'.

This CND leaflet encouraged voters to back candidates who opposed Cruise and Trident in the June 1982 by-election in Mitcham and Morden, London. The seat was won by Conservative candidate Angela Rumbold, however, in a rare case of the governing party picking up a seat in a by-election.