Throughout the history of the world there have been many movements which have attempted to transform society. Most of these movements have been violent. However, there is also another attitude which has been maintained through the course of the centuries. This is a belief in the ideals of brotherhood, love, and above all, peace.
The first positive movement to change society by peaceful means began with Jesus Christ and Christianity. The movement against violence has had many followers through the centuries, such as Saint Francis of Assisi.
During the first half of the twentieth century, the cult of non-vilence progressed greatly, due to the work done by Gandhi. He held no official position in a Government but he symbolized a universal spirit of peace and brotherhood without distinction as to race or nation. After his death in 1948, and as a reaction to Vietnam War, the Hippy Movement grew up, developed from Gandhi´s doctrines,and reached its peak in the 60´s. Hippies had strong feelings about racism and persecution. They took part in the Civil Rights Movement and they made their beliefs known to the world in many ways including musical shows, pacifist folk songs and through peaceful sit-ins.
Nowadays more and more people are looking for an ideal to save the world. They are looking for something sublime, so simple to understand, and yet so difficult to get- PEACE.
