Historical information

In the aftermath of World War I, calls for disarment rang out. Under the Treaty of Versailles, the 'peace treaty' signed in the Hall of Mirrors at Veresailles, Germany was declared the aggressor in WWI and restrictions were placed on the size of its military, the manufacture of armoured cars, tanks, submarines, planes and poisonous, and a demilitarised zone was put in place between Germany and France. The forced disarmament of Germany, it was hoped, would be accompanied by voluntary disarmament in other nations.

Significance

It's difficult to know if this photograph was taken at the close of World War I, or later, when 'world disarment' was being investigated and promoted (c. 1920). Either way, a float bearing a banner in support of disarment made its way down Charman Road, Cheltenham to garner support.

Physical description

Black and white image of a wagon, drawn by four horses, with a group of men standing on the wagon.