Photography, Visual Activism and Counterpublics: The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Post-war Britain

Abstract

This chapter explores photography and the British anti-nuclear movement between the first test of the UK hydrogen bomb (1957) and the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) . Multiple dissenting organizations emerged to challenge the ongoing development and stockpiling of nuclear weapons including the Direct Action Committee (1957–1961) , the National Committee for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons Tests (1957–1958) , the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) (est. 1958) and the Committee of 100 (1960–1968) . Photography was central to this campaigning effort. While protesters orchestrated public spectacles like the Aldermaston marches to maximize media coverage for their cause, activists used photographs and photomontages to raise awareness of the threat and implications of nuclear war via leaflets, pamphlets and newsletters.