On 4th August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany. On August 2nd, Bristol Dockers’ Union held a mass meeting on the dockside to debate whether Britain should go to war. The meeting voted unanimously against war. This was one of many anti-war meetings and demonstrations held across the country.
The Western Daily Press of 3rd August 1914 carried a report of the original debate, which is shown in the image below.
The planned commemorations of the outbreak of war will ignore the voices of the many people who spoke out against war a hundred years ago. Rather than people being united in wanting to attack Germany, a debate raged as to whether or not Britain should go to war.
Remembering The Real World War 1 will be re-staging the Bristol dockers’ debate at 2.00 pm on Saturday 26th July near the Arnolfini on Narrow Quay (map) in Bristol.
Everyone is welcome to come along and join in the debate; I shall be participating as an anti-war nautical type! Period costume will be more than welcome, as will flags, banners & placards.
For more information visit the Remembering the Real WW1 website.