Date of Award

5-1987

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

History

First Advisor

Clyde A. Milner

Abstract

The Selective Service and Training Act of 1940 was the first peace time draft law in American history. One of its major provisions created the Civilian Public Service System. This portion of the law had been created to tell Conscientious Objectors what the United States government expected of them during this war crisis.

A system of work camps was set up jointly between the three historic peace churches, Mennonites, Brethren and Quakers, and the Federal Government. One of the 151 Civilian Public Service camps created was located near the village of Downey, Idaho. This camp came to be known as Camp Downey. This particular camp was in existence from November 7, 1942, until February, 1946. The Mennonite Central Committee had operational control over the camp, while the Soil Conservation Service represented the interests of the United States government and helped run the camp.

Several individuals who spent time in Camp Downey granted interviews. Some of their material was used in this thesis. These men expressed positive and negative feelings about the Civilian Public Service program. Most men in the Civilian Public Service System appreciated the opportunity to make their pacifist stand. Two major flaws in the whole program were the lack of pay for the men for their work and the relative insignificance of the work itself.

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